The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-11

am MHIMHMa azzHm HMglMMmMwmERE 1 against my will I hope you will try | to forget what took place on Aran Cawddy. It was a brutal act of vio- fence, gross insult to good and pure woman. shall always remember 1t with shame. want to ask for your | forgiveness. Bet. before you leave here. Try and look on 1t in the best light you can: try and find some excuse for my disgusting conduct. can find none myself. It is possible we may not meet again and I don't want you to think i'll of me all your life"
 Lady Betty did not answer. There was no anger on her face. but she seemed to be struggling against an man mistnterpreted her silence. Don't be hard on me, Bet" he ex- cJamed. after a pause.
 T forgive you" she faltered ''i cannot forget of course" Thank you" he replied simply. He had no particular desire to be forgiv- en, but 1t pleased him to assume the pose of a suppliant. And if in the fu- ture he wished to marry--weli, it might be useful to be on good terms with Lady Betty. For the present he had thrust all thoughts of matrimony out | of his mind, and he was glad to think that the woman had declined his offer of marriage, made on the wild impulse of the momentary passion. He did not Intend to renew the offer-for the pres- ent.
 For few moments there was a pause, and then Lady Betty rose to her feet.
 'I must finish my packing" she said calmly. "Is this all you have to say to me?"
 Yes that is to say. no. if I can pursuade you to stay here. and let me | leave you in possession of the place" T want you to stay here. Dick" she replied firmly. You have made such good start. It will be so much | easier for you. if you stay here. You must promise me this. Dick, please | She looked up into his. face. and he turned his eyes away from her. He was little ashamed of himself Perhaps, Bet: but don't worry about me. l am not worth it."
 She looked at his hard, evil face. and there was an expression in her eyes that he could not fathom. It was almost too tender for pity, or sorrow. or disappointment. He shrank from it instinctiveIy. It mght be something more dnicult to deal with than hatred. | Yes. you are worth it." she said softly You have intellect and the power to do good. You must stay here"
 She came closer and laid her hand on his arm.
 Not alone.9 he muttered. "it would be impossible alone"
 T will stay here too" she whis- pered.. l You" he cried with a start. Why, Bet, it would be--what would people Her cheeks grew red and she trem- bled with shame. But she was firm in her purpose. She would save this man at any cost
 They would say nothing" she con- | tinued, If we were married"
 MarriedT he repeated--'tmarried | Why. Bet. you told me-" | Yes. but l have thought the mat ter over since then. I will marry you, Dick"
 Gaunt was too dumfounded to form a suitable reply. He was caught in a trap from which he could not escape with honour He had asked her, in a moment of passion, to be his wife. He could not tell her that he had alter ed his mind. Yet he knew that he must speak at once. He realized all that the occasion demanded of him.
 Tt would be wicked" he stam- mered Tt would be too great a sacri- flee. You are saying this out of pity. Bet You do not love me You said you didn't love me. cannot accept such a sacrifice. am not ft-no Bet. 1t is sweet and good of you, but I should be brute to take advantage of your kindness. For 1t is only kind ness; 1t is not love"
 Then you did not mean what you said on Aran Cawddy?"
 Yes. yes" he replied hastily, "or course I meant 1t. but I should never have said it. I cannot accept your sac rifice. You do not know all that has happened in the past"
 T do not want to know. If you will stay here for year, and lead the life of a good, man, will marry you at the end of the year.
 The man looked around him like a | hunted animal. He was too great a coward to speak the truth. Was there no way of escape? Could he not stiIJ preserve his freedom and some shred of honour? Then he saw that there was only one way of retreat If I marry" he said softly, ''I shall marry a woman who loves me- Continued Tomorrow.