The daily tribune., 1909-04-08
How the
Dreams Faded


an hours relief from her governess
duties, and in her own room, with
locked door, was walking restlessly
up and down.
He was the Uncle BERTHE" whom
the children alternately adored and
tormented He was the handsome
bachelor brother of pretty Mrs. Sar.
toris, come to preside over West
Lawn since Mr. Sartoris' DEATH a
rich, masterful. elegant man, who had
fallen desperately in love with the
governess, and had been accepted by
her "a hours before.
Beulah had locked herself In her
room, daring for the first time in those
"a hours-yes, for the first time since
Albert Alsager had shown his ardent
admiration, three months before-to
look matters straight in the face.
And she saw two undenlable facts In
that unshrinking, steadfast stubborn
gaze. One that never again In all her
life would such a wonderful good for
tune come TO her as this that Al
sager had laid, with pleadings and
kisses, at her feet "a hours before To
be rich, so influential, TO lead such a
luxurious life. not one girl--one poor
obscure girl-in 10000 would ever
have such a chance.
But then that other fact-that whom
Vernon had sailed, one year before,
he had taken her solemn promise.
When he returned, June 2i--and to-
day 1t was June %.
If she had been true to her own
heart, true to her womauhood, Al
sager's declaration would never have
left his lips; but it was enough that
she had not been true, and now she
was in a place where there was to be
a terrible contest between ambition
and affection.
What should she do?
And as If in answer, she heard her
name called from the lawn below, and
she saw Alsager standing in the
shade.
Come down, Beulah, want you In
the library
And her heart gave a prideful thrill
at the sight of him, but not the
same fierce. passionate sensation that
always throbbed over her when Pierce
Vernon looked at her Yes, she would
go down to him, tell him all about It
MY own darlingl How wanted
you, Beulah-how | wanted to have
you just where you are now, where
you belong!"
And when he pressed his Kisses
warm and lingering on her lips. Beu-
lah tried to free herself.
DO | frighten you? don't mean
TO, dear" he said, tenderly "Or don't
you love me?"
Il want to tell-you-something-
first she said In little gasps Of
shrinking dismaY, now that the crisi
had come.
"You may tell anything you like,
he said except you don't love me
] think, however, l can guess. Yor
are afraid, maybe. you have not been
quite fair with that other one. Yer
non, | think was his name"
He Is coming tomorrow" she
whispered.
That Will be a disappointment 10
him." he said. "Beulah, how sorry /
feel for him How sorry | feel for
every other man who has not won
your love! | wonder If It is possible
for me TO be jealous of Vernon? Beu
lah, may ] see him for you when hc
comes?"
Yes, tell him what you please" she
said quickly, almost dehantly, aftes
that little, w-breathed. hesltatine
yes. And / must go now-I must go'''
Four o'clock of the morrow,
Had Pierce Gomez Had he heard all
about 1t? Had he got the death blow
to his hopes and happiness?
Then, just in sight of West Lawn
gates, again she saw Alsager standin
on the cliff, the furious east win
blowing the salt spray in his face, a.
glass in hand, he stood watching wha
appalled, her TO SEGA Almsy Htil
boat. in which one man. all alone. WI
trying to make the shore.
And then she saw the face of the
man in the boat.
Save him! Save him! Don't let
him perish. MIR. Alsager, for Gods
sake, save himl He was coming to
met"
And in the shrek OF horror and
yearning, the look in her face, In he
eyes. Alsager knew II was Pierce Yer
non she loved better than him.
Go on" she cried. Don't you see
he Is perishing? Piercel Plerce!'
And she shouted out his name wildly.
keep up your courage; help Is com
ingl"
She saw Alsager spring into the lit
tile boat, rocking in the surf she saw
him nnah off nE IL InIn. Tho nn.... In IL