Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-25
CHAPTER XXI.

~ winch J. Unoeretand NY Le0y.
She rested motionless, her cheek
barely touching my sleeve her eyeaI
Allied with love, her hands in mine.
Then I heard her voice, soft as . whis.
Iper. the breath Of her lips on my
cheek. 4
you will not misJudge me; surely
you can not. Those words would never
have been uttered in any other ctr
icumstances. Not that am afraid, not
that I am ashamed or regretful: but
nothing else could ever have Get me
tree. Now We must know. understand
each other-we must die With our
hearts open, our souls clean. You real.
Ilysiove me? trust me? believe me to
he worthy woman?"
with all my soul do"
"Oh, / know you do. 1t is because I
know you do that wish to toll you
sImy story. It Is my love which makes
me 80 anxious that you should under
stand, 30 when the end comes we can
80 together, loving each other, and not
afraid. Do you recognize me? Have
Iyou ever realized who ann"
/ could only shake my head, wonder
ling at the strange question.
1 mo? And yet I have known you
ever since that fire. long talk we had
together in the cabin. 1t seemed 80
odd, such strange freak Of destiny.
that you should have been associated
lin any way with my old life, and yet
1.-The very fact that you were. first ere.
iated the bond that has since drawn us
together. You were no longer a mere
Isea-adventurer, but an old-time friend
land equal From that day all was
INHERENT. I could Aght 1t back, but
Icould never conquer what that discov-
lery meant. Oh, now small this world
Us! Did you ever hear Of Doris Wins
llow?"
A moment the vague, clouded mem
Tory eluded me, tantalized me. Then
lin a fash the revelation came.
"My sisters chum at Wellesley"
The tears sprang glistening into her
lsyes, her handclasp Tightening.
Eyes; does it seem possible? You
never knew me, except by that name.
NY father died during the second year
lof my attendance there; then mother
land went abroad, and my education
was completed on the continent. am
mot finding fault, but-but it was all
most unfortunate; it brought me into
!rdal life with false understanding Of
Everything - wrong ideals, wrong
standards. We were known to be
wealthy, many considered me beauti-
tful; my mothers one ambition was
Ito achieve recognized social standing
in Europe, and from the first was
destined to be means to that end.
Ny education. surroundings, social en-
fv1rOnment, were all shaped with this
purpose in view. In spite of myself
1.-THE result was accomplished.
II was merely girl of II, desiring
little but good time, and accustomed
jail my life to the guidance of others.
Lord Darlington joined our party in
Italy, and we journeyed together for a
week through the Italian Alps, finally
|going on board his yacht as invited
guests for cruise in the Medfter-
lranean. He was most attentive to me,
yet gave it scarcely thought. I
hardly realized what was taking place
what it all meant, but-but one day
I'VE went ashore, and-and we were
married at the British legation in
Athens. That day was careless
girl; the next morning found me a
woman, regretful, aroused from a
dream, yet yielding to the inevitable.
Whatever suffered was borne alone;
mot even my mother ever heard me
icomplain."
She sat looking forth over the crests
fof the sea, the moonlight rejecting
back into her face. The sail swung
in and shadowed her.
Within a month we went to Eng
land, to Darlington hall, where every
thing was at my command, and later
Ito London, during the social season.
had all that the world seems to value at
my feet and at first managed to be
HAPPY after a fashion. The excitement
and exhilaration kept me alive and in
terested, but in time the glitter and
|artificiality of 1t all wearied me; more
Isnd more deeply realized the sordid
manner in which had been sold, and
& II grew to hate those things which had
purchased me. It was not Lord Oar.
ilington-he was more father than hus.
band, humoring me in every way, and
= lsecretly regretful for his part in the
transaction. became Ill, begged FOR
the sea, and we went aboard in his
IS ::s css He was not unwilling, but to
my mother It proved q constant hard.
ship. Only her anxiety to prevent any
4 rupture between us caused her to go
on board. Yet even when had re-
& covered health would not go back;
that life would have killed me. Out
IN the open could breathe and live;
It Yielded me courage to continue a
I vas"
She bent forward, bringing her face
once again into the revealing moon
light, her eyes frankly open to mine
= only wish I could make you re
allie how drearily lonely that life be
came. There was no knowledge Of
love to complicate the situation, and al
Arst even felt q sense Of gratitude
toward Lord Darlington for many acts
Of Kindness and the consideration
shown me. This changed, however. a,
! began slowly to comprehend the self
lshneSs Of his motives-that his &C
'tions Arose merely from q certain
pride in my youthful appearance and
the Advantages to be derived from my
wealth. Ny mother soon alienated my
affections ~ always ailying herself
with him Finally y s;:ss. =