Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-02-24
CHAPTER XXI.

Hugh Saville sprang forward, sx,
claiming, "My own love; my own dar-
ling wife!" and folded her in a rap
turous embrace, kissing her hair, her
eyes, her lips, torgetful OF everything
else.
Mrs. Saville again rose from her
chair, and stood petriied. At last Hope
disentangled herself from her hus-
bands arms, and, crossing to where
her mother-in-law stood, said, broken
ly, "Can you forgive me the deceit
have practiced? Can you have pa
tience to hear my explanation?"
II am bewildered," cried Mrs. Sa.
vile, looking from one to the other.
"Is Hope Desmond your wife, Hugh p
"She is! Can you forgive me now?"
said Hugh, advancing to support
Hopes trembling form by passing his
arm around her.
1T is Incredible! How did you come
to impose upon me In this way?"
Il will tell you ALL" Hope began,
when she was interrupted by a mes.
sage which the butler brought from
Mr.. Rawson requesting to be admitted.
Show him up; he is a party to the
fraud" said Mrs. Saville, sternly.
Hugh drew his wife closer to him as
Mr.. Rawson entered looking radiant
Il trust you do not consider me an
intruder" he said.
you come Just when you are want.
ed. I feel my brain turnin," returned
Mrs. Saville.
"If you will listen." urged Hone
with clasped hands.
Yes, pray hear Mrs. Hugh sayille "
said Mr.. Rawson.
Mrs. Saville turned a startled lool,
upon him, and Hope went on: when 7
came to this good friend, who offerad
me the shelter of his house SO soon ae
he found was the niece OF his old
rector, | was In despair. began N
realize the mistake, the dlsobedienca
that Hugh had been guilty Of had
yielded too readily to the Temptation
OF spending my life with him fol,
that l was the cause of his tropb,a.
and was overwhelmed. | wished tho,
could die; anything to be no lonear a
burden and an obstacle. Then heard
Mr. Rawson speak OF finding q con,-
panion for Mrs. Saville, and tha
thought came to me Of being that com.
panion, and perhaps winning her afpec
ton for myself and restoration D..
Hugh" sudden sob interrupted hor
then, with an effort, she went nm IN,
hawson was startled at the idea hu,
MS daughter at once took II IN ma
after some discussion, It was agraoJ
that l should make the desnerato =,
tempt. | was therefore introdnood ~
you by two Of my names-Hona naa
mond. was called Katherine H..
desmond after my mother. who NO.
Uncle Desmond's only sister H., =
mad the courage to brave such an ov
pertinent | cannot now understand o.
my heart"-she pressed hsr hsaS 'S'
against her bosom. and dlsangaa,,'''
herself, made q step nearer bor
er-in-iaw-"seems to flutter ana ,.,,
me. But the desire TO retrIavo .hI
wrong had wrought sustained ro
did not tell Hugh what I had nna.
taken until | had been some wesn,
WIN you he was much alarmed ma
oeesed me not to risk too mueb~to
leaVe as soon as | could, II tho strt"
was TOO great; but he did NOT ,o,sn, %
me 10 stay. So stayed. How d,aD. o'a
rui the beginning vast Yet ,hn"., uaa
you were cold and stern, I cor,d y'sh n1s
IT, for you are too strong 10 mo s,s, Uoar
clous, or petty, or narrow ana S Saspl.
not let myself fear you; ana TAR aa'Va
grew to know you had be,r, u- ~,
"AAss thia moment 70 trri.