Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-19

e nave lizard the story in all its de.
| tails; all that passed at the Mount.
while Nanette was there. And" in
stead Of having undermined his belief,
she felt she had enly strengthened it.
Il am sure you went to the Monastery
st. Ranulphe, knowing"
you are sure!" she interrupted
quickly. 1T wasn't long ago you were
sure it was who betrayed you, and"
81 was wrong, then; but" his eyes
continued to meet hers, II am not
wrong now"
Behind her, my lady's hand closed
hard on the rock.
"Deny it," his voice went on. "Ir
so many words!"
"Why should -" She caught her
breath quickly. II denied something
to you once, and you did not believe ="
I'll believe you now!"
Il should feel very much hattered,
am sure; but after" A spark Of de-
tiance began to CLEAN in her eyes.
you are sure one moment, and not,
the next! You are ready TO believe,
or not to believed" More certain now,
she lifted her head; she, whose assur-
ance and wit had never failed her at
court, would not be put to confusion
by him!
His answer was unexpected; to her;
! TO himself. Perhaps it was the peas
ant-the untamed half-peasant-in lis
! blood that caused it; that made sud
| den, unccremonious act, his replyl He
| caught both her hands; drew her tc
him. He knew she could never care
fer him-she. the beautiful lady! Hut
| he forgot himself Tor the moment;
| thought only of what she had done;
| her courage, her fineness, her delicate
! loveliness Her life for his. To pay
fancied debt, perhaps? And all the
while he had thought Self-reproach-
es fell from his lips; were followed by
holder, more daring words. All he
would have said the night on the
beach, when he had borne her from
the fiery rock to the ship, now burst
from him.. all he had felt when nc
| had held her in his arms-motionless
unresisting, the still. white face up.
turned, Offering itself freely to his
gaze!
At the neck of the rock, beneath his
feet, the waves Numbered; near them.
wild birds circled, wheeled and were
borne on by the strong breath of the
wind. Had he spoken; what had he
said? A gradual consciousness Of the
beating OF the sea smote his senses,
as with rhythmical regularity it arose
He listened slowly in his eyes that
light that manufactured, as il
were, It's own-was replaced by an.
other; his hands released hers. Ny
lady made no sound; her proud lips
trembled. Very pale, she leaned back
So silence heightened. Pardon, m!
Lady," he said 1T last, very humbly
1T had not occurred to me my secre;
was not safe; that !, master Of ships
and men. should not be master Of my
self. But l had not expected to b.
alone with your Ladyship, and"
shadow OF Z smile crossed the strong
reckless face, your Ladyship car
weigh the proyocation! If the excuse
Will not serve, have none other to
offer. Certainly. will l retract moth
ing. What's said, is said, and-no lies
will unsay it,"
He looked at the water; the tide
was nearly in; he turned. She wouic
never see him again, for which she
would DE very glad since tn" sight o.
him must always have been hateful &c
her. Had not fate decreed--bittcriy-
she should look upon him only as an
enemy? 1t might be, in time, she
would condone bis presumption, when
his presence would no longer veX her!
He was going one way; she, another
soon, with
"You-you are mistaken, Monsieur!
Ny lady's tone was tremulous.
"MistaEen?"
"The-Marquis de Beauvillers left
last night on fishing bark"
Left" abruptly nc wheeled
WHY" She did not answer. You
mean" Before the sudden swift ques-
! ton that shone from his eyes, hers
| fell.
! Speak" He seized her hand; his
dark, eager face was near hers now.
You have sent him away? He will
never rcturn?" She lifted her head;
answered not IN words; but a new
light in her eyes met the flash Of his.
My Lady" he cried, bewildered for
| the moment at what that glance re
vealed. An instant she seemed once
more striving to combat him, when
drawing her gently toward him, he
bent lower; kissed softly her lips.
us it, then, true"
you find it so hard to believer"
'"rhat you love me? That l seem no
longer your enemy?'
MY enemy? You? Who risked SO
much-saTcd my life! An, no, no! Do
you not remember" softly, she, too
said--F Forget
| az o,1,- ra,nomhar haVa long loved