The Washington herald., 1908-09-02

above them all She thanked God that
her love had been bestowed on one who
was worthy Of the love Of any woman.
for love, Ike Samson. IS both strong ard
I blind. and often wrecks the temple o. is
own happiness
Laura Vane had been born in humble
circumstances; she was q daughter Of the
I soil. and her childhood had differed in
no wise from that Of other children in
similar position But as she grew older,
I her father. recognizing the fact that her
I young beauty was already attracting at
stenuon. and that she was probably des-
tined 10 a marriage above her station, re-
solved 10 spare no expense in her educa-
ton From the national school at Laver-
stone she vas sent to a ladies college
I at Cheitsnham- and three years at this
I desirable establishment worked a great
/ change IN external graces and accom-
Z plShmenrs- But. at heart. Laura Nane
was unchanged. and it says much for her
strength OF character that she returned
70 Laverstole with genuine pleasure. and
/ entered into al the details OF her home
life with heartfelt enthusiasm She work
ed from early morning until dusk-the
daughter Of a simple farmer. Then she
/ changed her clothes-"dressed for din
ner." as her father called it-and sam
Vane. a rough old farmer. found his re-
ward for the days work IN gazing at his
daughters beauty and listening 20 the
sound OF his daughteT's voice.
such was the girl who had promised TO
/ become the wife Of John Shif a woman
/ who would have graced and beautiaed
any position Of lie 20 which she might
I have been called a strong beautiful
/ tender-hearted woman. little dreaming. as
she gazed into the fire and thought OF
her lover. that she would need all her
strength and all her love 20 support her
IN the days 70 come
Her reveries were broken BY a loud
knocking at the hall door, AID a few mo-
J UeuJs later there was q sound OF foot
/ steps on the stone 1iaEs outside, and the
ring CT a voice that qUickened The beating
OF her heart she rose 20 her feet and
moved forwcrd pace or two, as John
Shl entered the room
He closed the door behind him. and came
uus-eaGiIy toward her. a mere glance
at his face was sufficient 70 tell her that
something unusual had occurred. II was
pale and stern. and there was look IN
the eyes that frightened her. They were
The eyes OF a man who had s-uEed. and
Who IS afraid OF the consequences Of his
sin Her greeting died away on her lips,
and she h=ld out her hand ii silence
To her surprise he stopped. looked AZ
he- hand Tor second OF TWO, and then
shook his head As a rule. he greeted her
win a kiss and an affecuonats embrace.
for The moment Il seemed as though t-e
whole world lay between them
No. Laura. no. he cried. suddenly ard
feTcely- -N0L even your handful have
told YOU Is your father in2''
NC. Jack. she replied calmly; lie has
gone 10 BTa1dersL1u 10 buy some farm
implements He viii not be back until u
: O'Clock What has Lappered2 Come and
/ sit here by the FIRE and tell ne" She
spoke quietly. almost soO-lingly. as g
mother might speak 10 a child He came
forward slowly, and did not look at her
, as he flung his great BODY INTO an arm
chair For q few seconds she looked
. down At him, half IN pity and half IL
fear But whatever her feelings were. s1f
let no trace OF them be seen by the mar
/ who might need her help and sympathy
J She sat down on the opposite side OF tht
fireplace John ShlTs face was buried r.
? his hands. and for a few moments nei-1ei
b OF them spoke The woman was The Ers
, 70 break The silence
'WeL Jack" sne said quietly. '-wha'
have you 70 tell me-" A mez1e- woman
b would have asked him why he had re
20 fused 10 take her hand and might ever
E have spoken f. a tone Of annoyance BIZ
, Laura Nale knew vel enough that he,
i lover had intended no discoUrtesy, aEt
h that the act was inspired by a high cod.
D q honor, rather than by a desire Z.
Z wound her feelings
! He did not reply 10 her question. bu
70 remained uo-ioEless as a statue Sh,
8 looked az him and prayed quietly fo
8 strength she knew now that something
e terrible must have occurred 20 so crusl
e the strength and courage Of the man
70 Come. Jack" she said cheerfully
e ''ccwa-dice was never one Of your faults.
Then he slowly raised his white fac
: from his hands. looked into the eyes o.
.a-
= strength Of purpose, and told her al
I emitting oothlng. Concealing nothing
4, sparlrg himself and her not a word O
> she whole truth
= Laura Va1e listened 10 his narrative Il
/, silence with her eyes fixed on the fire
= When he had finished. she old not Iool
Up from the dancing flames. The who'll
. world swan in a blaze OF fierce light
Laura" the man cried hoarseIy. Tool
I al me. speak 20 uc-forsive ne for wha
. 7 have done I was blind with passion
! I did not in-end-I was too late. / did no
= know what I was doing was too late
4 surely God viii forgive ne for those fev
moments. and yoU-surely you viii foT
p give me. Laura"
7 was not thinking Of that" she ne
Piled slowly I was thinking Of wha
uiEl- happen. OF whether-the truth VII
be known Forgiveness There is moth
n struck Tor ne. any honorable man wOul,
T have struck i; and. as for what FOL
. J lowed" She paused. not knowing how
TO choose her words, and the face Of Be-
I Holland seemed 10 leer 81 her from tn
9 heart Of the flames.
2 And as 10 what followed2" the ma
G echoed
n She raised her head and looked at him
+ HIS pleading eyes were fixed on her, an,
-. his face was haggard with the agony O
= his sUgL His strong hands we're cIaspe,
: together, almost IN an attitude Of prayer
And as 10 what followed he repeated
a those few moments when let a man di
c without stretching out q hand TO saw
d him We must face the truth, Laura
s you and l. II is no use shutting on
- eyes I murdered Ben Holland"
[ she rose 70 her feet with q look o
8 horro- On her face. The word murde
q ] had not yet passed between them !
- was almost TOO brutal a word Tor
] w0mau-s ears
e Yes he cried. springing to his fee
- and facing her, that is the truth, an
o We must face it
d she came clase to him and laid her han
4 upon his arm
God alone is the judge Of our thought
q and actions" she SAID quietly. But a
for myself-see. I do not shrink fror
4 you"
l. Her calm voice. and the look Of low
j. on her face, brought fresh hope TO II
3 mans heart He bent down and kisse
o her reverently on the forehead
g God shall judge me and deal Wit
:, me as 7 deserve" he said gravely. -
e VIII put myself into the hands OF m
d feIlow-men, and they. too, shah judge