The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-15

no longer in your power. You have told me the mans name. and I know his address. I can buy his silencc. ard pay him more than You could ever ef- ford to pay him"
 Again I will tell you the truta. :" said Leonore. land this time you must not disbelieve me. merely because th e truth is to my credit. I have -Come here because I do not want to have you in my power. be- cause I am afraid of myself. of. what may do. or what I may ny. .T have come here because---" She starel "a f hin: for moment with piteous eyes and parted lips. Then she buried her Burning face in her hands and sob- bed as If her heart would break.
 rLeonore," said the man gently, rbe- fore you came I had been thinking of you thinking of myself of my future life. and how can use it to the best advantage I have sinned and I wish to make amends. Lenore, will you be my wife,"
 Your wife," she said slowly. as if she could not understand his words. Then she raised her tear stained cheek from her hand and look at him with Frightened eyes. The hour for which she had sehemed had come, and yet there was no triumph in her fac.
 Yes. Lenore." he said, 'if you will marry me it will bring happiness in to my Hfe.'
 NO no.!' she cried fiercely rising to, her feet you do not ask me be- cause you desire me for a wife. It Is because I have shown you what is in my heart, because you pity me. That Is why you ask me to be your wife. "
 He also rose to his feet and took one of her hands in his.
 You are mistaken. Leonore" he said. "Jt is for my own happiness that I ask this. You know what lit- tie love I have to give but will give you all man can offer to woman he respects and admires---"
 Respect and .admiration?'' she, que- ried passionateIy. Ata E
 Yes" he replied, "all that-a good husband gives to his wife after the first hot blaze of love. 1 am, a lonely man and your love will mean much to me. Together we win do good In the world. and I will atone for the past if God will let me make the atone ment It Is for selfish reasons that | wish to marry you"
 Selfish" she cried jeyfully. "Ah, that Is what I want. That is all T. ask. I want to know that you have real need of me and that you are not trying to force your pity on me- 4, x.
 T have real need of you" he said. You may save me from great sin. for I cannot live this life alone"
 'J will marry you she said, ten derly. T will 2 take what love you can give me. I am content" < He moved closer to her side and took her. in. his arms. He could do no less. Her white face looked up to hfs and her eyes giowed with passion. Then he bent his head and kissed her on the lips. He had intended that Kiss to be a mere formality. sealing of the compact made between them. But Leonore endowed it with the strength of her passionate love. and clung to him with tine frenzy of woman who has gained the desire of her heast.
 Then at last her arms relaxed their hold on his neck and she sank back to the low atone wall and buried her face in her hands. The man watched her with fear in his eyes. What had he to offer in return for this? Yet he knew that he must play his part
 y"Leonore." he said with an effort at calmness. when will you marry me?" He did not know that she was still married woman and was not free to marry at all.
 Tn two months time," she mur- mured faintly.
 TWO months from today7' he que- ried.
 'Yes. two months from today, I am going to America next week and shall be away for a month. will marry you two months from today"
 She did not look at him as she answered his question. Her head was turned toward the pool and she watch ed the yellow water circling past the walls. He came forward and seated himself by her side.
 ''Leanore" he said, q ought, to be thinking only of you. but there is much else in my mind just now. A little while ago you said that two men saw all that happened UP in the Burton safe enough so long as we can buy his silence. But who was the other man?"
 He will also be silent" she replied He has sworn an oath to me and he will keep it"
 ''what was his name?" persisted Shil..
 T cannot tell you now she replied without taking her eyes from the pool. one of the conditions he made was that you should never know his name"
 The lie came smoothly and readily from her lips. IL had to be uttered, for John Shil must never know sthat Tankeriane had witnessed the scene in the woods. If he once. knew the truth he would realize Why Laura had refused to marry him. and his love for the woman who had made this sac rifce woAld blaze out afresh with still fercer flames. He might even seek out Sir William Tankerlane, and demand a reckoning.
 No" she said to herself flor his own sake he must Lever know the truth.
 John Shil looked at her averted face with hard, questioning eyes. It was not the look of lover, nor even of friend, but his own safety was up- permost in his mind.
 There should be no secret between us,' ho said sternly, still. if 1t was a condition" --... .-
 She turned slowly and looked at him with the light of love in her eyes.
 Perhaps I may tell you when we are married she whispered. Tt will be no bresch of faith, for we then shall be one
 Then she rose to her feet and look ed at the darkening sky.
 T must go," she said softly will write to you when I return from America, and today two months. that is settled
 She came close to him. and, cling ing to his arm turned her face up to him. Once more he bent his head and kissed her on the lips.
 Good bye, she said, ''my dearest" Then she laughed and looked at the pool. Even this dismal place seems beautiful" she centinued-r"beautifu for me. But 1t has changed. The walls seem higher. There Is less wa ter"