The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-27

him. He knew she could never care
for him-she, the beautiful lady! But
he forgot himself for the moment;
thought only of what she had done;
her courage, her nneness, her delicate
lovelinessI Her life for his. To pay
a 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 10 the ship, now burst
from him; all he had felt when he
had held her in his arms-motionless.
uuresisting, 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 emanded-claimed, as it
were, its own-was replaced by an
other; his hands released hers. My
lady made no sound; her proud lips
trembled. Very pale, she leaned back.
So silence heightened. Pardon, my
Lady," he said at last, very humbly.
1T had not occurred to me my secret
was not safe; that l, master of ships
and men, should not ba master of my.
self! But / mad net expected to be
alone with your Ladyship, and" a
shadow of smile crossed the strong,
reckless face, your Ladyship can
weigh the provocation. If the excuse
wMl 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 would
never see him again, for which She
would be very glad, since the sight OF
him must always have been hateful to
her. Had not fate decreed-bitterly-
she should look upon him only as an
enemy? II might be, in time, she
would condone his presumption, when
his presence would no longer vex her!
He was going one way; she, another,
soon, with
"You-you are mistaken, Monsieur!"
My lady's tone was tremulous.
Mistaken"
"The-Marquis de Beauvillers left
last night on a fishing bark"
Left" abruptly he wheeled
"Why?" She did not answer. You
mean?" Before the sudden swift ques-
ton that shons 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 return?" She lifted her head;
answered not in words; but a new
light in her eyes met the flash of his
T. 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.
rs it, then, true"
you find it so hard to believer"
That you love me? That / seem no
longer your enemy?"
My enemy? You? Who risked so
much-saved my life! All, no, no! Do
you not remember" softly, "he, too
said-'Forgetn
Il only remember l have long loved
you! For me have you ever been the
princess-who dwelt in the clouds-in
a palace, enchanted" Her face
changed. That saddens you! For
give mel"
at seems like a dream-that life,
then! All made up of lightness and
gaiety; courtiers and fine Mosques,
until" Beneath the bright gold Of
her hair, my lady's brow knit.
"Until?"
Nay; l know not until-just when!
Only, for long, seem to have lived in
a world, unreal and false. Last night,
when in the garden, felt stif1ed. This
marriage! Arranged-for what?" She
made quick gesture. The words
came-had to come-though they hurt
my lords pride; touched his vanity!
Nothing deeper! 1t was gone. Be
sides"
My lady stopped. GO on!" he urged.
his voice eager.
That is all. At least, all l would
acknowledge to myself, then"
And now" His arm frightened; he
held my lady close. Now"
Her lips lifted; though silent, made
answer in the abandonment of the mo-
ment, the past and all it's vicissitudes
vanished; only the present held them
the present and the future, beautiful
as the horizon, now rosy and glowing
beneath the warm touch of the dawn.
The tide came in and the tide went
out.
Mon capitaine must have changed
his mind" said old Pierre at the inn.
And he gazed toward ship, stranded
on the sands Of the harbor.
(THE END.)
Tr.In tep,narzprs T.o1n...