The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-12-02

do you really think you can de-
ceive me any longer?" she asked. Il
told you this afternoon that If you
could come back from the dead, and
know the truth. we should probably
forgive each other, though we had
many differences. Shall we" She
paused q moment, and by his quick
change Of position she saw that he
was much moved. Il don't mean that
We should ever 60 back to the old life.
for we were not suited to each
other from the first. you and 1.
You wanted to marry me because
was pretty and smart, and I married
you because wanted to be married,
and you were better looking than
most men, and seemed to have what
thought was necessary-fortune and
a decent position. No, don't interrupt
me. We soon found out that we did
not care for each other. You went
your way, and l went mine. / don't
mean to reproach you, for when I
say you were beginning to be tired of
me did nothing to keep you. my
self was tired of 1t already. But what
ever you may have thought, I was
a faithful wife. Mr.. Van Torp had
given me a great deal of money for
my charity. and does still can ac-
count for it, I never used a penny of
1t for myself, and never shall; and
he never was, and never will be, any
more than a trusted friend. I don't
know why you chose to disappear
when the man who had your pocket.
book was killed and you were said to
be dead. It's not my business, and if
you choose to go on living under an
other name, now that you are rich
again, shall not betray you, and few
people will recognize you, at least in
England, so long as you wear that
beard. But you had it when we were
married, and I knew you at once, and
when I heard you were to be of the
party here, l made up my mind at
once that I would accept the invita-
ton and come too, and speak to you
as I'm speaking now. When I be-
lieved you were dead I forgave you
everything, though I was glad you
were gone; frankly. I did not wish
you alive again, but since you are,
God forbid that I should wish you
dead. You owe me two things in ex-
change for my forgiveness: First,
yours, If L treated you ungenerously
or unkindly; and. secondly. you ought
to take back every word you ever said
to me about Mr.. Van Torp, for there
was not a shadow of truth in what
you thought. Will you do that? I
ask nothing else."
Indeed l will, my dear Maud" said
Count .Kralinsky, in a voice full of
emotion.
Lady Maud drew long breath, that
trembled little as it left her heated
lips again. She had done what she
believed most firmly to be right, and
it had not been easy. She had not
been surprised by his patient silence
while she had been talking; for she
had felt that it was hers to speak and
his to listen. .-.
Thank you," she said now. Il shall
never go back to what have said.
and neither of us need ever allude to
old times again during this trip. 1t
will not last long, for shall probably
go home by land from the first port
we touch, and it Is not likely that we
shall ever meet again. If We do, l
shall behave as if you were Count
Kralinsky, whom have met abroad.
neither more nor less. l suppose you
win have conscience enough not to
marry. Perhaps, If thought another
woman's happiness depended on 1t, l
would consent to divorce you. but you
shall never divorce me-"
mo power could make me wish to-"
Kralinsky answered. still deeply
moved. T was mad in those days,
Maud; was beside myself, between
my debts and my entanglements with
women not fit to touch your shoes.
I've seen it all since. That is the chief
reason why I chose to disappear from
society when had the chance, and
become some one else! l swear to
you, on my mothers soul in heaven,
that / thought of nothing but that
to set you free and begin life over
again as another man. No thought of
marrying has ever crossed my mind!
Do you think could be as bad as
that? But I'm not defending myself
how could 1? All the right is on
your side, and all the wrong on mine
And nowI would give heaven and
earth to undo it all and to come back
to you!"
Lady Maud drew as far as she could
into the corner where the fanhouse
Joined the engine skylight She had
not expected this; it was too much re-
pentance; it was too like real at
tempt to win her again. He had not
seen her for more than three months:
she knew she was very beautiful; his
heeting passion had come to life
again, as he had. But her old repul-
sion for him was ten times stronger
than whey they had parted, and she
shrank back as far as she could, with
out speaking. From far below the
noiseless engines sent quick vibra-
ton up to the ironwork of the sky
light. She felt 1t, but could hardly
tell it from the beatings of her own
heart He saw her shrinking from
him and was wise.
Don't be afraid of mel" he cried. in
a low and pleading tone. 'Not that!