Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

rite" coming nearer Now he is closer and say
ing:
thine changes all things it is true, but in the
years that have passed he has dealt so lightly
with you that he has left a mark of his
passing"
He has now reached her side; pausing he con
tinues, speaking in hurried, low tones
81 cannot be mistaken Marguerite-WiH you
not speak to me?
All of this time she has been thinking; strv-
ing for perfect command of herself. Turning
toward him finally, she answers calmly-stead
lily:
Sir you are mistaken. My name, it seems, is
unknown to you-yours-I need not tell you-1s
unfamiliar to me-" At this, he starts as if struck
by a sudden blow. You mistaken, sir" AS
he does not move, she continues: I'VE are
strangers to each other" So saying, she turns
her back upon him lifting her face again heaven
ward.
"StrangerS! No; if all else strange, 1
recognize that voice. Strangers can never
be-" moving as to come again within her range
of vision. AS he continues to advance Marguerite
rising puts forth her hand with an emphatic ges-
ture, barring all further progress and in firm
low tone commands him:
"Stop You forget yourself sir; you do not
know, it seems to whom you are speaking"
81 do know. l may forget myself, but l have
never forgotten, never forget you,' he
answers carried away for the moment by feeling
losing all self control
Twill you leave me? Or shall l call my hus-
band?' she asks forcing calmness she does not
feel.
"And create scene? You dare not!"
She is angry; insulted by his intrusion and in
sistence, but does not lose control of herself.
Calmly ignoring his words without another look
toward him, she advances without any undue
haste toward the open doorway near which she
finds, luckily, Judge and Mrs. Randolph, the cen
ter of a cotere of friends. In few moments
she is Joined by her husband who has secured
for her. wine and refreshments.
Later, returning with her husband to their inn,
she struggles bravely with the dread which now
hal holds
prisoned in a vice. Her husbands voice she
seems to hear that of one afar off, reciting the
glowing tributes paid her by his friends.
She cannot answer. His words seem hollow
mockery.
Moving restlessy in her seat, she lays one hand
upon his as if to check him. Mistaking her mo-
tive he continues taking her hand and pressing 1t
In both of his.
Believe me, dear one, you have outived all
storms which seemed to lower upon your horizon.
Henceforth we will journey together over smooth
calm seas, without ripple, or even cloud to dim
the brightness of our future. Is it not so?-You
have triumphed over fate" She does not answer.
She not.
"Are you ill, Sweetheart? Your hand is cold;
it trembles in my clasp"
"Ah, dear heart" she answers family, YEARLY,
''the trial too great" shuddering as she
speaks
Folding his arms close about her, he tries to
bring back warmth to the dear body, which is
shivering if smitten with a sudden chill.
ut is all Sweetheart" he keeps murmuring
in her ear"
"All Overt" she repeats trying to think, to say
something, but her mind seems blank; she can
not rally her thoughts
'You tired. The long journey; the excite
ment of the past two days; the reception; the
ball; you need rest;" supporting her trembling
body as she descends from the carriage.
Poor Marguerite! Her little triumph is short
lived. During the few hours which remain OF
the night, she does not close her eyes in sleep.
She dare not even if she could, lest in ftful
dreams she may disclose the fateful meeting at