The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-17

hS 1Hu she would henceforth De part ed, her heart had so yearned for him, that vaguely she had begun to de- Jude herself with the hope that, after all. only great misunderstanding ex- tsted between him and her, and that before they spoke the last words of farewell their hands would meet just once again--only as friends---onIy as comrades, perhaps-but closely, trust fully for all that
 It was solely in this hope that sh c had begged for an interview.
 His coldness chilled her. Now that he was near her again, she once more became conscious of the bitter feel Ing of awful jealousy which had caus- ed her the most exquisite heartache which a human being could be called upon to endure. Memory brought man--an unknown creature whom he loved to the destruction of his own soul and honor.
 And with the advent of this memory, the tender appeal died upon her lips. and she only said in hard. calious voice:
 "Is that all that your Graoe would say to me
 May. indeed" he replied, with the same icy calm, '.there is much I ought to say. Is there not? I should tell you how grateful am for my life which owe to you. And yet I cannot even find it in my heart to say thank you for so worthless gift"
 Docs life. then seem so bitter, now that the woman you love has proved a wanton and a coward?" she retort- ed vehemently.
 He looked at her. a little puzzled at her tone, then said quietly:
 .'NayL-the woman I loved has prov ed neither wanton nor a coward. only an Illusion, sweet dream of youth and innocence, which |, poor fool. mistook for reality"
 There was such an infinity of sad- ness. of deception and of life-endur- ing sorrow. in the voice as he spoke that every motherly instinct, never far distant from true woman's heart. was aroused in her heart Tn an Instant. She forgot her bitterness in the in- density of her desire to comfort him. and she said quite gently:
 ''You loved her very dearly. then7"
 T worshipped my dream. but 'tis gone"
 aAireadyY she asked--not under standing.
 And he--not comprehsndins--re- piled;
 Nothing flies so quickly as an illu- sion when it is on the wing" When he added more lightly:
 "Bat pray you, do not think of that. am grateful to you, very grate- full. Your Iadyship hath deigned to send for me. What do you desire 0f me? My name and protection are now at your service, and I am ready whenever you wish it--to fulfill the promise our fathers made on our be- half"
 She drew back as if poisoned ad- dor had stung her. At first she had not realized what he meant to say: the intention dawned upon her and the insult nearly knocked her down like blow. She could hardly speak her rich, young blood flew to her pai- lid cheeks and dyed them with the crimson hue of shame
 "You would. ?'' she murmured faintIy; you thought that I....? oh!. :. she gasped in the inhnity of her pain.
 But like the wounded beast when first 1t sees it's own hurt, so did this man now-gentle, artistic, faEtidious though he was--suddenly feel every cruel instinct of the primitive. saw Age rise within him at the thought of the great wrong which he believed this woman had done him All the latent tenderness in his heart was crushed Manlike e--hea only clnged now 10 make nGI sun0E Oue htLto VI the agony which he had endured be- cause of her treachery. He thought that she had played with him and fooled him, in sheer wantoness. and he wished to crush her prtdea her youth. her gaIety. as she had broken his life and his honour.
 He despised her for what she had done and longed to let her see the full measure or his contempt; glad that he had succeeded in hurting her. he tried to turn the blade within the wound.
 May. you need have no fear, lady" he said. the wars of France will soon claim my presence. and the world will be quite. ready to forgive to the Duchess of Wessex the sins of Lady Ursula Glynds. especially after a chance French arrow has made her free again."
 But 1t was the very bagnitude of the insult which restored to urusla her self possession. nor would she let him see how deeply she was wounded. With her self-control. her dignity al- so returned to her. and she said with a eoldness at least equal ito his own:
 "The world has naught to forgive me, as you know best, my lord"
 May! but I know that must be grateful. By the Mass! the story was well concocted. and must congratu- late YOU. fair Bacchante" He laugh ed bitterly. ironically. "Your honour threatened!. . my timely interfer- ference! and I who feared for the moment you might make full confes- sion.''
 "Confession of what?. you are mad, my lord"
 (Continued TOmOrrOw)