The new South-news., 1908-05-02
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER w.
80 far gossip was correct. In his
foolish student days In Edinburgh
Sydney Anstrutker had been en-
trapped into an engagement With his
landlsdy's daughter. When he fouAd
out her true character he bitterly re-
pented. He declined to marry her,
but she vowed 1t least she would
prevent him marrying anybody else.
and she had never failed to send him
an annual letter to keep him In mind
OF the action for damages which she
held In terrorism over his head. And
now he had hopelessly lost his heart
to Edith Murray. But the bitter
drop In his cup was that he could
not tell her his love, for he could
not endure the idea OF dragging her
fair name into any scandal.
But his patient waiting was re-
warded at last One memorable
morning In February a letter reached
him in the handwriting he had
learned to fear. He opened 1t trem-
blingly, but when he read its con-
tents q fervent Thank Cod" e.
capped his lips. At last he was free
1t was . characteristic epistle. ILL.,
spelt. 1ocular and impertinent, but
1t conveyed the all-important news
that the woman to whom he had been
80 long bound by his word Of honor
had herself cut the bond by getting
married to another. 80 you are
free now to do a. you like" she con-
cluded; "and you'll be fortunate II
you get as good q match a. I've got"
He rose to his feet and breathed
freely. A burden seemed to have
been rolled OF his head. And Just
at that moment Edith Murray's note
was delivered to him, and he sped
on to The Laurels.
There had been a storm for three
days, but 1t was over. and the sun
was shining brilliantly from 4 cloud
less sky. The sound of the wind
among the trees was music to sgd
ney's ears; there was in II nothing of
the sadness of autumn when the wind
is driving the dead leaves to their
burial; 1t was full of hopefulness and
Joy az 1t sang reveille to the sleeping
birds, and awoke new life In every
herb and tree.
Sydney" she said, looking at him
very seriously, Il want you to tell
me the truth about those shares. Was
It the case that they were worth
nothing when you paid me fifteen
hundred pounds for them. and that
you have lost still further on them!"
He flushed hotly and frowned.
"Who-what mischievous boCy-has
been talking" he inquired: but she
interrupted him.
I'VE have known each other long.
Sydney. and have = right to expect
you to tell me the truth. You admit
it,"
Il was quite willing to do It," he
said feebly.
But was It right! Was it right
to keep me In ignorance OF my real
position! And to-humiliate me by
making me live on charity she
swallowed . sob and went ON bravely)
yes. charity, for 1 have been liv-
Ing all this time ON your money.
when I should have been earning my
own living. 1t was kindly meant, l
believe. but. oh. how could you think
I would take It II I knews" Her
touching appeal unnamed him.
"Oh. my dear Edith" he cried.
seising her hands In his: Il would do
far more than that for you: I would
give you all I have to make you
happy"
"But-but--" she stammered. II
hought-you-"
That was to marry some one
else? That's all over: I'm 4 free
man. thank God: free to Earry the
woman I lovs-and have loved Al,
these fifteen years. Oh, Edith, dar-
ling. will you b. my wife?"
"On. Sydney!" she said, and her
voice hroks. Il was beginnis to fear
you diin'tHc care for mel" ana with =
sob OF happiness. she hid her face
upon his breast And the silence
that followed was too sweet to b.
broken BY words.-The Dumfermlfne