Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-08

quiet home we two alone. In the stress of this
political excitement circumstances have arisen
which we did not foresee Ask me for no more
condolences" she continues with pleading eyes
fixed upon his face.
Lifting her from her knees he places his arms
about her. Clasping her about his neck she
lays her burning cheeks against his,-now cold
with sudden chill of apprehension.
He had not been associated so closely with Col
Steale for so long time, without having learned
something of his faults and weaknesses OF moral
character; and now, even now while she pleads
with her arms about him, her cheek against his,
there comes back to him an old forgotten story OF
Steale's past;-not unlike this. His blood Tor
saking his heart rushes in a mad torrent to his
brain. Putting her aside he arises and reelng as
he walks means aloud with pain.
"Where are all your sweet words with which you
used to greet me? Since l think of it, it is who
have done all of the talking since 1 came. Have
you nothing to reate?"
what could have to tell? In your absence my
days are uneventful, one so like the other that L
could scarce name them apart.
But today, Marguerite, today? has this day
been as uneventful the others?" his tone be-
traying anxiety.
CHAPTER XII.
Maddened by love, shame and jealous anger,
Darrall PAGES back and forth until stirred by the
thought of the grief that must fill Marguerites
heart-he takes her in his arms and kisses her
lovingly, tenderly, his lips meeting hers with the
lingering touch of who feels that he is laying
aside forever his priceless treasure; then loosing
her from his arms begins anew his walk.
81 must think dear one | must think or my
heart will break" he says by way of apology as
he puts her away from him.
Following, she clasps her hands about his arm.
"Oh love- love, cast forever from your heart these
cruel thoughts which rob us of all the joys OF
life. Ny vindicdtion aoould forego. Forget the
VOW that binds us since think of it no longer"
Gently she leads him back to the settee and kneels
by his side Strokng her hair tenderly, he speaks
as bidding goodbye to life
Marguerite, my wife, has my hour for retrtou-
ia not
speak l see it in your face" And the strong
man bows his head in silent grief. Her face is
raised to his, her arms are about his neck, her
kisses are upon his cheek
'Retributon?" she whispers. "Why do you speak
of that my husband? Years ago when there
seemed no place for me on earth; when L longed
for death, and tempted to take my own life;
it the thought of vengeance that kept me
alive until you came into my life and learned to
know and value the love of an honorable up
right man." She has spoken brokenly as If think
ing aloud
'Think, dear one, what your love has been to
me,-to one so forlorn: yeti had been better if
your destiny had not been linked with mine"
mo so my love- Nothing happens by chance.
From the beginning were ordained for each
other"
"Then let us abandon all other thoughts. Let
as Hve for each other. Not for the world in which
dangers have arisen which had not foreseen.
Dangers which have overcome and secured
for myself that peace of mind which had never
expected to enjoy in this world" her voice quiv-
ering with pent up agony.
'You have not yet told me of the events of the
day. Come, sit beside me while listen," he asks,
insstent.
Rising from her knees she sits beside him. His
arm is about her waist his hand clasped in both of
hers She tells him of Steales visit of the inter-
view concealing nothing for she knows it is his
right to hear it. She tells him how, when humili-
ated, and abased before her anger and scorn, he
had offered his life in atonement;-she had spared
it.
Forgive me, love if in anything did wrong"