The Meeker herald., 1907-01-19

tie gate. They were speaking OF the
Lady Alice's brother; but deeper
thoughts were unspokcn, and would
remain NO II their destiny wllled It.
you h We been generosity itself.
Sir Rjcha. ~ my lady was saying (for
1t was the Lady Alics herself: "the
debt 10 you u common for Us all; 1t
will lie heavily upon my fathers
shoulders and upon mine. We can
mover repay. do what We viii"
Sir Richards eyes shone softer In 4
sudden ray OF moonlight that pierced
the hedge. Every word that she spoke
was like music in his cars.
mo debt Is there when the task u
Of mans own seeking. Alice. I told
you 3Ix months ago that our poet,
Pope. was right when he said that the
greatest study of mankind u man.
have studied men all my life. Your
brother Harry was but human addi-
ton 20 my library. found the pages
blurred and almost undecipherable;
but read them, nevertheless. Here
waA fellow creature who had wan
dered. upon all roads for want of .
signpnst began by asking him to
rest little while in my house;
showed the pages Of life and the pic
lures that were to be painted upon
them by mans will and by his In
dustry. 1 tempted him to begin and
TO hnd excitement in the pursuit.
Whom the old gypsy inclination called
him eway. l was patient, not angry.
He would come back. said. Time
justified me, and the months have
cleaned the blades Of my harvest. To-
night Harry Is waiting at Ashford hall
for me. My work Is done. Alice.
need TO mans thanks for q little pa
thence and kindness that have been
their own reward. They have given
me this opportunity to speak with her
to whom may never speak again I'M
til the end Of my days"
The Lady Alice made no reply, but
she turned away her head. Perhaps
there was something in her pretty eyes
which she did not wish him to md.
you are leaving England. Sir Rich
ard?" she asked anew. with her head
still averted from him. The tone of her
voice nerved him to speak OF 1t.
"A mans country is dear to him only
when IL gives him that which his heart
desires. III i leave England, Alice. "
will bc because no longer may hope
here. IL go. 1t will be because there
IL one at Brede who would visit the
sins NJ. the son upon the daughter.
say it only TO ask your forgiveness:
there is a duty which is above love:
let me speak NO Ill OF your father"
And. a. they stood together. believ-
ing Ants to b the hour Of their fare
WE'LL suddenly tho alarm bell rang
out from the castle, and almost At Inc
Same instant they heard mans voice.
my lord is dying!" he cried to them:
"the Lady Alice has left him."
lyon must go to him." said Richard
quietly. Though his heart was beating
fast, his wit was less sure than my
lady'o at such moment.
Richard. you shall take me-" she
whispered. refusing to release his
hand.
He kissed her gently.
You are right" he said. that ia
wise. dear one; We viii go together .
When they entered the courtyard
they found the servant beside himself.
He walked from dream and asked
for your ladyship." he said to the Lady
Alice. She pushed him aside: and.
still holding Sir Richards hand. she
led the way to the great bedroom.
where. upon couch by the window.
they found the lord of the castle lying.
pale md insensible.
He had walked from troubled
dream, as old Martin said. and, in vio-
lent agitation. had insisted upon his
daughters being summoned to aim
forthwith. When they searched for
her ind found her gone. the truth was
told tc him.
"she is not here. my lord" they
said: "and this night Tom Forsyth
came up from the Inn to speak Of u
stranger there" And. to their won
der, this master OF the oath and the
madnan's anger spoke no word to
them: but. shrinking away as ono
robbed suddenly Of his reason. hid his
face and cried: she was all that I
had; God Of heaven. forgive!" And
then re had fallen prone and they had
laid MIN upon the couch, f
Thus the Lady Alice found him. and
almost with the touch OF her hand my
lord reused and recognized her. He
gave cry of Joy and, raising himself
feebly upon the pillow. put his arm
about her and held her to his heart.
Thou. Alice! they have not taken
thee. them"
II am here. dear father; they shall
never take me from you"
There is another Who is It stands
there, Alice? Does Harry come to me.
them?
TT is not Harry. father; look again. :"
"Sir Richard Hardinge-ah. I might
have Eamed him. Where. then. is my
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