Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-10-06
|. Love $ Conquest |
D. CHARLES CARv1CE /

n CHARLES CARv0

so still that the pat OF the raDpil
as it scudded acros sthe path smote
on his ear as distinctly as the shout
heat of a drum. All the woods
seemed listening. waiting He stood
for a moment or two looking round
him, bidding the familiar trees fare
well, when suddenly other footsteps
than those of a frightened rabbit
were audible. Some one was COM
ing up the glade. He drew back be-
hind the thick trunk of tree; it
was not worth while being seen and
setting tongues to work.
The footsteps came nearer, and
in a moment or two he saw fe-
male figure approaching. His heart
beat fast, and he put one hand upon
the tree to steady himself. Before
she came up close to him he saw
that it was Lucille.
She was dressed in colors that
seemed to indicate half mourning,
but round her neck she had thrown
soft scarf ruby, whichc lit up
the pale face that had never even
in it's moments of happiness, seem
ed to him more lovely.
With her hands holding her shawl
close to her bosom and her eyes
fixed sadly, wistfully before her, she
came on slowly, dreamily. 1t was
like the ghost of herself revisiting
her former haunts in search of her
lost happiness. But TO rail- her sad
ness and pallor it was Lucille, and
Harry's heart leaped and throbbed
at sight of her.
Should he let her pass, let her
go on her way ignorant of his pres
ence? AS he asked himself the
question Lucille stopped to draw the
shawl more closely round her, and
drew a long sigh. 1t was so full OF
sadness, so eloquent of her void,
empty life, that his heart seemed to
cry out to her, and coming forward,
he whispered her name.
"Lucille!"
Sh4 started, looked at him as ii
she thought it was a vision, then,
with a low cry, shrank back, his
name upon her lips.
Harry"
He cursed himself for his stupid
ity and abruptness as he saw her
pale face, white as snow, and the
lids droop over her glorious eyes,
and fearing tina tshe was going to
, faint, he took step toward her
with his arms outstretched.
But she shrank still further away
from him, and held up her hand as
| if to keep him back.
"Lucille!" he breathed gently. s'Do
not be frightened"
You here?' she painted, turning
her eyes upon him eagerly, and yet
fearfully. Don't speak to me for a
moment! Not for moment! Ali"
and she drew a long breath.
He stood watching her with all
his soul in his eyes, 1t seemed not
months, but day, a few hours
only since they had stood side by
side-ay, heart to heart.
"Why-why did you Gomez" she
asked at last, and the words drop
ped from her tremulous lips inaudl-
bly,. "Ah! why did you Gomez
II came" he said, then he stop
ped. How could he tell her without
going into the whole story, and re-
vealing her husband's-her husbands
-yillainy! II came for one last
look at my old home, marchioness,
he said.
She shuddered at the title, and
turned her eyes upon him with pit
eous entreaty, reproach, accusation.
all in one.
seHow-how dared you?" she pant
! ed.
The blood rushed to his face and
his eyes flashed, hoe words came to
his lips, but he choked them back.
"Dared!' he breathed. well. it
was for the last time"
.eThe last tIme," she echoed
thought you were abroad
He shook his head.
She tried to keep her eyes IRON
but his eyes seemed to draw her as
magnate does the needle.
/, sYou have not been out of Eng
land: Why not?--Why did you run
such a risk? For her sake you
should have put the ocean between
this place and YOU"
For her sake!-for whose?' ne
said.
The color rose to her white face
and died away again, as she snud
dered.
ssFor your accomplice's, she said
weakly-"for the girl you tempted
to her ruin. :"
He stood silent, battling with the
rage that threaened to burst out
"The girl tempted?" he said
hoarsely.
Are you married to herr sait
Lucille, after pause. He remaine'
silent. HE hoad seemed TO Spil