Year: 1879

grounds shut in BY pine trees Though
which the moonlight drifted and rested
ON those two standing there in silence.
Lady Montague broke the stiffness by
saying: Col. Seaman, did Jou not once
know girl by the name Of Mabel
Lisle?


What do you mean, woman and he
grasped her arm.


'Oniy-that am sher with laugh
the tends would have envied.


1t is lie! She is dead and her hair
was gold


Il thought could disguise myself so
you wouldn't recognize me. You know
me now, think removing from her
head the magnificent black hair that
was the envy of all the ladies who knew
her.


He gazed at her as if fascinated
What he beheld was a head covered
with short yellow lings of hair that
presented an odd contrast to the stormy
black eyes and eyebrows.


My God. Then you are not dead


oh, no, Colonel, I'm still alive; of
course you're delighted to find that re-
port of my death falseY


He only groaned in answer, and his
face was white with horror.


If you want more proof, if you still
ale in doubt as to the truth OF what
say, for | know l have changed some
what, look at this and she took from
her finger ring and handed it to him.


He took it mechanically. On the in
side was engraved Claude to my wife,
Mabel He gave it back to her with
out word.


Now, you will not marry Maud. will
you?


Devil! Fiend! Will you always
cross my path?'


Don't call Inc names; it isn't polite,
Colonel, and besides l should think
you would be glad to see your wife,


My wife. o, God, why am 1 thus
cursed?'


i will make bargain with you.
will 60 away ami keep our secret and
you can marry Maud, providing you
give me sum of money that am very
much in need of at the present.


How dare you make such PROPOSE
tion to me! Do you think l would de-
ceive her, my little Maud?'


You're very conscientious, answer
ed she.


Where have you obtained your vast
wealth, he asked.


You've not been very polite to me,
but l don't mind telling you, that I'm
always lucky at the gaming table. Just
now, however, am Lady Montague, a
very highly respectable lady of fortune,
and she made him sweeping bow.


He made no answer. After silence
of some minutes, she broke it by say
ing:


Colonel, had we not better 60 to the
house?'


She lifted her eyes, Int they were
greeted by vacancy. He was gone.


4 think I've frightened him so that
he will leave OF the first train, ha! ha
hal and her mocking lau- il rang out
on the night air. / guess will return
to the ballroom; my many admirers
will miss me.


'Oh, Lady Montague, cried Maud,
going up to that lady as she entered the
room. i was wondering where you and
Claude were. Have you seen him2'


Yes, dear. He got message of some
sort and was obliged to leave at once.
| am to take you home with me. He
will be unable to return this evening.


Very strange he didn't come to see
me before going, said Maud, drawing
her pretty forehead into a frown.


He hadn't time, my child, answered
Lady Montague, sweetly.


CHAPTER VII.


Home at last said Maud throwing
herself into a chair, after Lady Mon
ta9ue's carriage had driven away.
Mamma, has Claude come in yet? He
had to leave the hall this evening for
some cause or other


Maud, is it possible you don't know
he's gomez


Gone? Where?


/ haven't an idea. He came in about
twelve, looking like crazy man, and
said something about important bust
ness; thai he had received a telegram
and must start on the first train going
east. He left a letter fer you, Maud,
don't faint. There's nothing wrong /
hope. Read your letter, perhaps that
will explain it.


Maud overcame the faint feeling that
was stealing over her, broke the seal
and read:


My darling, my love. Oh, how can
| tell you! am married man. But
true as there is God in heaven /
thought the woman that bore my name
was dead. 1t was a foolish marriage,
contracted when was hardly out of
my teens. The woman 1 married was
older than myself and fascinated me.
heard some time ago that she was dy.
ing, and as l have heard nothing con-
cerning her since that time until to-
night. i thought of course she was
dead. / saw and recognized her to-
night for the first time for many years.
Her name is Lady Lisle, known 10 you
as Lady Montague. I've finished my
wretched letter. Oh! my love how can
l leave you? Be true to me; and you
will surely let us see each other again,
when it will be no sin to love you as 1
do now.


Your heart broken


CLAUDE.


AS she finished reading she fell to
the floor with a faint moan of pain.


What is it, my childY said Mrs.
Martin, bending over her.


Read that said Maud, family and
then tainted for the first time in her
joyous young life.


CHAPTER VIII.


Colonel Seaman said one of the
porters at the hotel where he was stay
ing, there is man at east entrance
wishes tn sneak tn vOn'