The Meeker herald., 1907-07-06

I who Is it?' he asked In = listlesi
tone.
The door slowly opened and his
aunt entered the room.
Hugh. dear. l have been looking In
every place for you," she said. a. she
approached him. "Estelle IL here; she
brought over q basket Of early straw
berries from their garden. and knew
| you would want to see her before she
left. 80 l."
AZ she caught sight Of his paid
face she stopped abruptly.
why. Hugh!" she exclaimed In
alarm. What IL the matter? Are you
not well?"
Yes. aunt, I am perfectly well, al
least, in body" he added bitterly. Mr..
Watson has been here. you know. and
my soul is storm-tossed. For two
hours have been cropping for a little
light amid the blackness Of despair.
And. thank God. have found che
faintest glimmer.
MY poor boy" murmured his amt
tenderly. He has told you all. thea p
Yes. aunt, he has told me ALL"
"And-Estelle?" she questioned
gently.
Hugh smothered groan.
II cannot see her. aunt. 1t woald
unman me. for intend to go to my
grave lonely and childless.
Just then silvery voice called out
gaily:
Where are you two conspirators!
All. there You are! got tired of wait
ing. so concluded that II you wouldn't
come to me. would pocket my pride
and come to you"
Estelle knew at once that some
thing was wrong. Her handsome
debonair lover looked as though he
had just arisen from = bed Of sick
ness.
What is 1t, Hugh? Are you ill?'
she inquired anxiously.
Il have met with q great loss. Els
telle. and"
"Oh. 10 that all?" she breathed, look
Ing intensely relieved. II was afraid
from your appearance. some terrible
calamity had befallen you"
1T Is terrible to me and-I think II
will also Affect you. which troubles me
exceedingly"
Affect me?" opening her lovely VIC
let eyes. Nonsense. Hugh. what q
mercenary creature you must think me
Don't let that thought trouble you for
an instant. What do care for thu
loss of your money, even though 1t be
your whole fortune, Just 20 ~ dos't
lose you. dear
! She nestled lovingly against lii
arm. expecting a caress. But Hugh
with wonderful self-control. answered
steadily:
ut isn't altogether a money loss. f's
telle. 1t is something beyond my power
to control, something l cannot explain
But II you love me you must also trust
me and believe that whatever I do IL
for your future happiness and wei
fare ,H
The girl drew away from him ant
her lips Quivered.
You mean" she said slowly.
Il mean that private business will
take me Immediately abroad. and thai
you and l must part"
~ don't think l understand" she
said vaguely. II cannot see anything
to look 30 tragic about in few weeks
separation"
IF 1t was only for few weeks, Els
telle. wouldn't murmur. But I will
be gone at least two years. probabl,
longer" he replied huskily.
ut seems long time" she said
with little catch in her voice. "But
l will have your letters to look forward
to. and after while-your return"
A sob rose In his throat, he was moi
proof against her perfect and loving
trust. He turned to her suddenly and
opened wide his arms. Estelle few
to them as mother bird flies to its
nest. and was gathered close to his
hungry heart.
1t might be cowardly. but he
couldn't bring himself to tell her then
that their marriage was impossible
A convulsive shudder shook his strong
frame, and his arms relaxed their
hold. Estelle lay like a broken lily
upon his breast. He bent his head
and showered passionate kisses
kisses of farewell and renunciation up.
on her tear-wet face. and, disengaging
hor cI{uUtru anna ho 1oft hor forovar