The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-08-21

INC httic tuiIu TOom, WHICH i nave
mentioned as communicating with the
back drawing room. and dropped the
curtains which closed the open door
way. II | only waited there for a
minute or two the usual result in such
cases would take place. That is to
say, the doctor would be conducted to
his patients room.
] waited a minute or two and more
than a minute or two. | heard the Wis
itor walking restlessly backward and
forward. l also heard him talking to
himself. I even thought l recognized
the voice. Had | made a mistake?
Was II not the doctor, but somebody
else? Mr.. Bruff. for instance? No.
An unerrlng instinct told me 1t was
not Mr.. Bruf. Whoever he was, he
was still talking to himself. l parted
the heavy curtains the least little NOR
sci In the world and listened.
The words | heard were, "I1l do it
today" And the voice that spoke them
was Godfrey Ablewhite's.
| suddenly heard another voice in the
room. 1t penetrated through the cur
tains. 1t was loud. it was bold, 1t was
wanting in every female charm-the
voice of Rachel Verinder.
/ had been In a burning fever a mo-
ment since and in some doubt what to
do next. / became extremely cold now
and felt no doubt whatever. To show
myself after what l had heard was i'm
possible. To retreat, except into the
fireplace. was equally out of the ques-
ton. l noiselessly arranged the cur
tains so that | could both see and hear.
Godfrey took the nearest seat.
"Well." she went on. "what did you
say to themT'
Just what you said. dear Rachel, to
me-
That mamma was not at all well
today and that didn't quite like leav-
ing her to go to the concerto"
you don't think it's serious, do you.
Godfrey
Far from IT.. In a few days, l feel
quite sure, all will be well again"
II think so too. l was a little fright
ened at first, but / think so too. 1t
was very kind to go and make my ex-
cuses for me to people who are almost
strangers to you. But why not have
gone with them to the concert? 1t
seems very hard that you should miss
the music too"
Don't say that, Rachel. If you only
knew how much happier / am-here
with you!"
would you think to look at me-"
she went on, that l am the wretched-
est girl living? It's true, Godfrey.
What greater Indebtedness can there
be than to live degraded in your own
estimation? That is my life now"
my dear Rachel. it's impossible you
can have any reason to speak Of your
self In that way!'
How do you know l have no rea-
son?''
'Can you ask me the question? J.
know 1t because / know you. Your
silence, dearest, has never lowered you
in the estimation of your true friends.
The disappearance Of your precious
birthday gift may seem strange. Your
unexplained connection with that event
may seem stranger still"-
Are you speaking of the moonstone,
G~odfrey?"
II certainly thought that you re-
ferred"-
II referred to nothing of the sort. 1
can hear of the loss of the moonstone,
let who will speak Of it. without feel
ing degraded in my own estimation.
If the story of the diamond ever comes
to light 1t will be known that accept
ed a dreadful responsibility; 1t will be
known that ! involved myself in the
keeping OF a miserable secret-but 1t
will be as clear as the sun at monday
that | did nothing mean, You have
misunderstood me. Godfrey. It's my
fault for not speaking more plainly.
Cost me what ii may. l will be palmer
now. Suppose you were not III love
with me? Suppose you were in love
with some other woman?"
"Yes?"
..Suppose you discovered that m
to be utterly unworthy of you? Sup
pose you were quite convinced that 1t
was a disgrace to you to waste another
thought on her? Suppose the bare
idea of ever marrying such a person
made your face burn only with think
ing of it,"
"Yes?"
And suppose in spite of all that you
tear her from your heart! de
doesn't know-he will snow
what | have told you. / will never see
him. / don't care what happens VIII