The Washington herald., 1908-09-05
CHAPTER VII.
s'GOOd-by TO Hope, GOOd-By, Good
by"

~-l-Alr
William Tankerlane left for London
shortly after the inquest HIS departure
excited no comment, as he spent a good
deal Of his tine away from his fathers
house.
a week afterwsrd John shiI resigned
his post as land agent to Sir Robert
Tankerlane. His resignation formed a
topic for conversation throughout the VII
1ages on the estate. and was discussed
every evening in all the public houses in
the district II was a sincere source Of
annoyance 10 Sir Robert. who had a gen
uine liking for the young man. and who
doubted If his successor would act so
thoroughly as buffer between him and
I his tenants. He offered TO raise the
/ agents salary, but John shiI was hrm-
/ he made no secret about the reason for
/ his departure.
You know. Sir Robert" he said. IN
I answer 10 The baronst's protestati0us,
"that my engagement 10 Miss Vans has
! been broken OF II IS impossible for ne
I to remain where an likely 10 meet and
see her every day I am sorry, but I
must go elsewhere"
J ~Drat the women said the baronet
( hercely- I've 10 patience with en- STAY
4 here. my hoy, and get her to change her
I mind. or II turn old Vane out OF the
Z farm. and they can clear OF the estate"
That would be rather hard on them.
/ Sir Robert" Shl replied. with a smile.
After all Miss Vane has a perfect right
. 70 change her mind No. I vii go I
I know a man that VIII just suit you, a
more able man than I am"
/ I thought you were made OF sterner
Z stgf. ShL. said Sir Robert. 7 didn't
think you were the fellow TO urn tail a.
Z a woman's words"
81 have made up ny mind and sha'n't
Z change it,
Then I won't waste ny breath; but I
am very sorry When do you want 70
go2-
AT once. next week Z possible can
wire 70 Dandy to-day he viii come
down tomorrow. and can put hln IN
TIE way Of things Hes been al the
business for years. and Is q sood fellow.
a son Of S-r Harry DaIby- I dareSay
you know his father. Dandy Of Tren-
court
He vas at Eron with ne. I think. %
said Sir Robert; but what about your
self. Shil2 Have you anything in View
Nothing at present But I can wait
and II yOuu give ne a testimo1ial-
7 can Go better than that interrupted
the baronet- AR old friend Of mine, Lord
I Crawc0ur. is on the lookout for a new
agent His present nan Is roboing hin
left and right Twenty thousand acres
in Essex. easy land 70 ride over. fat as
this table, and a bit Of a change Tor you
II you like. III write 20 him
! 7 an greatly obliged 10 YOU Shu re-
} piled quietly. 7 viii so and see him al
: once
Right you are-ore good turn deserves
another. If I an half as pleased witt
{ your friend. as I expect Lord Crawcoul
: 10 be with you. I shah be satisfied
And SO It came to pass that John Shi
obtained the post Of agent 70 one Of tht
d greatest landowners. in the East Of Eng
land and left Laverstoue with the inteu'
b ton Of never setting foot in it again Be
: fore he left however, he claimed ina
interview with Laura Nane, and il wa.
granted to him They had sIudiOUsll
avoided each other since their pardns
8 on the day before the inquest Now. how
= ever. the separation was to be final JohT
Shil was going 70 q distant part Of, Eng
{ land. and it was probable that they woUlC
; not meet again
0 Laura ~ he said. as he entered the par
l0r Of her fathers house. and closed tn,
door behind him. Laura. tomorrow
: am going into Essex 7 have come. a.
p you know. TO say good-by 10 you A few
weeks ago thought that nothing woult
q separate US but death But a wall ha!
e risen between US and IL is the work O
. my own hands Can nothing break /
b down; can neither my love nor your
- prevail? Is there not some way out o
]. thisg'
s There is no way out Of this" she re
t Piled slowly; we must travel by the patl
I have chosen-you on yours and 1 ol
Z mine. They viii not meet in this world
d perhaps-after death"
e Laura" he cried. seizing her in hi
= arms. and crushing her TO his breas,
+ come with me into Essex; there is
= home waiting for you there. Forget al
a have done You love ne, cannot low
e make you foTget?
Z 7 cannot forget" she replied
= See what I have done for you" he erie
e passionately- 4 tell you 7 have sunk int
d the lowest depths Of shame The othe
Z cay at the inquest. I lied because OF N
Z love for you Conscience, honor, eve
Z prudence. cried out to me to speak Ia
O truth But ! lied because remembers
s your words, and that lie viii be fastene
e on me for al eternity. Have you nothin
n to give me in return for all have lost2
Il have nothing to give she answere
q In a voice so low that he could scarcel
n hear it. She did not speak Of what sh
e had already given; she breathed not
e word Of her own great sacrifice.
s You do not love me-" he cried: e
e course you do not love ne. else nothin
= could stand between Us. This SHADOW
e what Is Il? 4 frail. uncertain cloud tha
h would scatter at the breath of love y,
n you do not love ne; you cannot hide froI
% the truth. Laura You alone know m
II for what I am, and because you kno'
this. you have thrust me out Of YOU
% heart"
e For answer she raised her head az
e looked into his burning eyes with SO puI
J. and sweet a glance that he was shame
K into silence He kissed her gently on n
n lips. and. freeing her from his clasl
walked over to the fireplace and buTie
II his face in his hands.
E. She stood for q moment looking at hin
,e with infinite pity and infinite tenderness
c in her eyes, then she crossed quietly
n his side and laid one hand on his arm
ie "Jaes." she said softly, my own des
ID lover. both now and through all the wear
DAYS 10 come"
= I cannot bear IT," he cried fercell
Il do not cali me your lover Let me thin
i that yoJ do not love me: it viii be essiS
q then 10 part"
IN Easier now" she replied. but hard'
II in the years that lie before US tt
g thought Of your love VIII be my only con
fort, and whatever happens and wha