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 I 32.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE’ AND ADAMS, ‘ price. N
___;_'__ a Year- No. 98 William Street, New York. Five Cents. . 0. 9'

 

HE DID NOT VOUCHSAFE A GLANCE AT LILLIAN. WHO WAS KEENLY WATCHING THEM BOTH. 

A DAUGHTER UP EVE;

Or. BLINDED BY LOVE.

BY MR8. MARY REED CROWE’LL,
Auditor of “A Bride of a' Day,” “Will She Marry
Him I" etc, etc. ,

CHAPTER I.
THE FACE IN THE DRAWER.
THROUGH the open window came the faint
perfume of early summer sweets, and the after-
".oon sunshine, fallin in tesselated olden beau-
‘ 163 Over the carpet, €ighted up wit a. halo of

 

".'\— .

glory the beautiful head bent over the hands
that were clasped in a tight embrace.

Around the graceful, drooping figure swept
folds of rich maize silk that was particularly be-
coming to the fair throat, face and arms, and
contrasting well with the dusk hair that, un~
bound by comb or ribbonhfe l_ loosely to the
slender, supple waist, a rippling, darkening
cloud. ‘

She was very beautiful, very fair: and at
that rare face was shadowed by a_ frown t at,
ought not to have been there, and In the dark,
lustrous eyes was mirrored an expression that
illy became them. .

With a sudden gesture of impatience,‘ she

__..._....——-.

  

restless promenade "through the luxurious

 ' ‘ V , I i ’ I
_ .Upon “every: object her eyes rested; now,

-. Eliashing as they noted the dainty elegance of

“ ,. carpet, curtail: and furniture; nowgsmiling

seomfully as they dwelt upon the crystal or:
filaments of the dressing-bureau; wherein! lay

, open caskets of glowing, bright-eyed jewels.
 7 With closest and most earnest attention,
Lillian Rothermel viewed the contents of this
- ' bedchambohjthe plainest, probably, of all the
; 'japartments‘ at Fernleigh; and then, as she
' deliberately paused before the mirror, her
. peachblooni' cheeks grew more vivid in their
' . ‘coloring,'and,.her black eyes more intense in

' jtheirhalf-scornful, half-triumphant light.

“ It is all very elegant; all very suitable to
 - my fastidious tastes, and I doubt whether
 ' ; ;:, many women would refuse it alh-even if it

'  "did some at the awful price I am going to
 . pay'for it.”

' ' , She stoodsteadily regarding the play of her

 ,' own peerless features as she soliloquized.
, ,- , “ I have no need _of- denying to myself that

 sin a beautiful, woman; and when a pretty
 is, allI possgsgwhy should I not make
  obit! git/it never brings me happiness,
’Agiire, me riches, and influence, ’and
31%!st  ambition.” ’
g )«Blae glanced casually out of the rose~hued
' ' curtaian window, and then, with a mighty
  came atide of emotion over her white
 ’_Etaeeandthroat. -

. - ‘ twat not an uncommon. sight at all that
the saw, but it evidently was one that bore a
' _ V relation to her; for the scarlet flush'
, “stray, and as. her face grew paler, her
_ was? filled withtears, and she moved away

3  I“   the graveled walk,lLillian Bother-
seen two gentlemen; one, a fine,
‘pgrtly'inan of perhaps sixty years of age, ar-
:.,. V57 rifled lathe neatest, most elegant attire, with
.,  a face all-"once prepossessing and command-
,' ' 3 ' I * He was Mr. Edward Clavering, the wealthy
“Q: -. Qty-owner of Fernleigh and all its splendid ac-

” companlments. /

The other was years younger—a graceful,
stylish-looking man, with an air of pride and
independence‘that was peculiarly adapted to

'~ him.

* ' ..He hadahandsome face, with its‘ dark—blue
eyes and bronzed cheeks; its gravely-sweet
 / mouth, with a thick, curling mustache of
i  golden brown; his hair, curling in loose ten-

  ’ gdrils, brushed oi! his forehead.
,  ., ,. It was on this attractive face that Lillian
 3. .i yRothermel “had looked with scarlet-stained
‘ ,v-  Cheeks and Quivering mouth. ,_
i, -   Her eyes still dimmed with the unshed tears
w  ' that'trembled on the lashes, she opened a side-

 

  
  
       
 
  
 
  
   

itilv

  
 

 
 

 

 

‘  antennas er  '

utilisation: the’low andybegani'a rapid,

entire life is at your disposal.” -

 

   

A

drawer, in' her dressing-bureau  took-there»:
from a pictureé—paintedfonpofoelafil, andiwithiii
:nizme written on the cardwthatjvw, attached?
‘ o « ’ e , 1  . t , v 
‘ 'flie picture was » a   oithazfi
gentleman Lillian had seen below, walking?
with old Mr. (Havering, and the name on the
card was Harry Gordeloup‘. , ' . ‘ , i
With a passionate tenderness Lillian caressed -
the unconscious trifle, and then, lifting .it to:
her lips, kissed it fondly. ’ ‘ ,
“Harry! Harry! you will never know how,
it is killing me to give you up; and yet—1‘
shall do it!” A. ’
She removed the ring frOm her fingerethatT
Harry Gordelo'up had placed there a year be-
fore, and tied it with‘a little black ribbon to a1
packet of letters addressed to him. 7 ' ' f1"
Then she laid the, picture thereon, face down, {5
that she might not meet the eyes that seemed;
following her WhereVer she went, and“ rung the"?
bell for a servant to beg Mr. Gordeloup tog
await Miss Rothennel i the parlor. ‘ xi
She was intensely pal ,  there seamed to;
her to be‘ a tell-tale im in her eyes as she?
‘gazed back at them; but 11 Rothermel was:
a brave woman, and a determined womaop:
whose will wrought wondrous results"; an that???
when she went down the‘hroad' stairs, the was”

 

 

tranquil, radiant, and'graoeful‘as overs” \ 3
CHAPTER 1!. 
oasr man-r. ‘ 'i‘

  
  
 

“£13. Gossamer met her at the feet at ’th}
rs_ , v v r,“ .
_ “ I'heard your step, Lilliang‘as it  no 
tell it from any woman’s in the worldly :- _'
He drew, her arm in his, bending his head to.
kiss her forehead, as they entered the 
dim parlor. ‘ . v ' . '  
“Harry,qgo sit there by the, windowlys'hilé
Italk to you. . Have you a few minutes ..
spare?” . v . i " , i ‘7
She. smiled brightly at him.
“ To spare for you, Lillian? You

   
   
    
 
 
  
   
   
  
   
     
  

know 
He seated himself aleser beside her, instead ,
of occupying the chair by the windowthat Lil:
‘lian‘had pointed out. _ r * I 1
With tender aflection, Harry took one 
ger hands, and asked what favor he couldzd r
en - . . t  ,
Then, with a calm quiet in her voice; an
her eyes firmly meeting his own,~ she told hi «‘3.
why she had appointed the interview. ‘ ‘ '-'*'~
“ Harry, I want you' to promise me you w' ‘31
not hate me, because ,I am going to break 0  '
engagement—” g , ’ ' k 3: ‘
Gordeloup sprung to  feet in he “dd
ness of this revelation: - ' ~ .- “
V a Break  engagement!” :y  i e

She smiled calmly at his‘fiushed face; ‘i‘

 
  
 
 

1

 
 

seams:  suchal estlonln surprised
rhghtin‘them.’ N '; qu , ,. g.’ 4
i,  1,-“Iamtoopoonflarryfioallow you to be
‘2'“, and with me; you are obliged to earn
  living; what would we do?”

  He was standing perfectly still, earnestly

;;- regarding her witchins- tube. 111' 0WD “Wing v

ff. An expression of beWildered amazement. ' .
'  a “Lillian, dearest, what does this mean!
. v j 0“ knew a year ago my financial condition,
V, s 94!!! Iyours." '
‘ ' ' “Thatistrue; and because I think it best
" ’ {01‘ us both, I shall release you from your en-
“;  gagement to me.” A
' T  - A wounded look was in his face now, but
 c - . {an would not see it—or seeing, would take
,3 "110 Visible notice of it. I ‘
“ ‘ ‘1‘}? 3 “Lillian, it you have ceased to love me—-—”
 She involuntarily exclaimed some inaudible
-. ‘_ sound, that to Harry’s ears was a denial.
,  A .f‘ Then, my own Lillian, if you have had no
 cause to dislike me, we will banish this dismal

I _ (Sflbject, and I will forget that you said you de- l
‘ ' fitted to release me. Besides, Lillian,” and he i

lifted her chin and kissed her red lips, “I am
3 Very sure I’d not be thrown over like that.”

 l , A little shiver ran through Lillian’s veins;
, f m W1.“th pitiless task"was hers, to tell this lov-
  “ "3‘8, firming imah, who had confided to her
th(tsuidsuuce of his life, who looked to her for

an happiness, that she was going to give him»

 up; deliberately reject him because a richer
.man had oflered a‘higher price for her beauty!
Howshe despised herself, as she waited the

 r We moment before she cruelly undeceived him;
< 7 ', and, above the contempt she felt for herself,
-_~ We pity she experienced for him, was the tear-
 ,mg. crushing agony of the knowledge that she
 'z  this man, who was to her a very

 

‘ ,. 7_ And _ yet, with strange inconsistency, she
je:__' " ’ would not let herself be happy in his love;
\ -, would seek her joy in the wealth and influence
\ She would obtain when she became Edward
 ‘Clavering’s wife, and mistress of Fernleigh,
II 7:  Where she had been only a hired companion to
'  'Mlss Amy Olavering.
;;  ~ V Here, under this very roof, Lillian Bother-
.  me}, had met Harry Gordeloup; under the aus-
v V , Flues of Mr. Clustering and kind-hearted Miss
‘V " a Y; “lair courtship had thrivé’n apaae, until,
~ glazed by her beauty, her stylish elegance—shall
'  (W9-acknowledge; ,by her consummate artful-
 ; “Within Clavering had Suddenly proposed
 f0? her hand, with a full knowledge of her
 ; enEasement to Harry Gordeloup. ‘
Well-ewe have learned the result of that
 t0 Lillian Bothermel, who, in the
;.  of silence that intervened asshe sat
 with her-layers al'm"‘around her, had
thought rapidiy’os all these thing“ ‘ -
gallium her indomitable will failed her for

 
   
  
   
 
   
     
 

 I

p l

' streams om  

I that moment; 
I the cruel deed. I ,

 

‘ withal doubtful smile that parted

 

 

 

 “#41 35°   '

“ Harry, you misunderstood. me. mobs 2;

plain, if I necessarilyQ'be harsh. Remember-,1 = j
—-inshort, Harry, I am  f-
Edward Clavering.” ,  _ . '  
gHer tones never Varied- from their low, 
steady cadence; her cheeks did not  I
pale; her eyes looked Harry quietly in  E
own. ‘- > '

Harry dropped her hand and  her,
astormy anguish inhiseyes. ‘_ " ‘ - ‘ '  
‘ “Lillian! you surely are but trying   ‘
depth of my love for you! Ywmarry 
ward Clavering? Why, dearest, he is old, :
enough to be your father! Lillian,th tool:- '3
ish -I was to be so frightened." , , ' , '
She did not return thetender, wisttnl’,‘.yotfv.
and when she spoke, her hard,  tones 
rung a knell to Harry Gordeloup’s  '  I
“I repeat, I release on because'leIhto"
marry Mr. (Havering. have quite decided .
that to be mistress at Fernleigh is preterable
to struggling on, on an income of two. them .-
sanda year.” .   .~
A sudden cry of hon-or Hair-fig: ,
“ Lillian! for money you Will  :
break my heart and ruin my  
Lillian, do unsay those wicked,” 
words!” ' I y ' .s ,I  . '
Shesmiledinhispale,eager£wee. : H,
“For money, as you say, Harry, twill dos-I
it. But, don’t talk about your heartbreaking
-—-it is as strong as mine, is it not!" I ,
“0h, Lillian! Lillianl’fl  I ,
It was all the reproach he made,  '
tone-in which he‘ uttered the nameyras‘inezzif
pressibly touching and pitiful. ‘» " 1 
“Besides,” she went on, as she mainstay; ,
almost gayly tapped her fingers against,th 
little package she had brought'dowfi fonhini, "f ,L
l‘ as to ruining your prospects'by   
share them, I think you are just enough Twp
acknowledge I would only be a burden. Agaim
accustomed at I am to the luxury   of
my life at Fernleigh, I fear I should beyg’y.
unwilling to resign it for—J' ,, ' ,  ,_ ,r  
“For the t'erribleposition of the wife of f8“
man you disliked because he was in only 
crate circumstances.” * '  k  “.y
Harry had interrupted her with sharp, un-
natural voice, and‘ she wondered if it many; «
could be gay Harry Gordeloup who‘spoke soi_,
sternly.~ ' ' a ‘ . > 7
But it was better that he should reel angry; , 13 '
better thanthat wounded grief he had at first I - '
displayed— - . s,  v» ,;
“We will not discuss this point further; : .
Here are your letters and picture; of course I, _ 
wish mine. Mr." Gordeloup, you mrglyxwm; :1“
be able to appreciate my candor acme 

_ ’(v‘

 

 

 

 

4.,

‘ he?

’ ' r/A' »\ ' ' I» ' ~39:
V _ ' '1

;Ajmuasith= j» j  _. 

   

   i 

4.. '3

 

N» I  when you learn, to  wavering as a
‘ ‘ Very good friend; when you return to your
old-time love, and renew your vows. to Winnie

-v Lat. Cyr.” , p .
, ' ‘Asudden, painful flush tinted his cheek; then
, < be bent his face to Lillian. ‘
‘  ', "‘LYou remind me how you won me from
* , fiber 1 Let me'romind you why you have been
(won from me. Miss Bothermel, I accept my
-; ‘ release. May you find in the wealth for
 3 .‘ which you barter your womanhood, the en-
‘, ' ‘ joyment you desire; but if ever aught’ should
, transpire to prove to you the sin you this
,  day commit, remember how 'I am made to
 ‘ r suflt’er.” , ,
' . He. bowed elabomtely,‘ and took the' par.
eel from her hands, then walked out of the
I . -« room. ( ' a ‘
I a: ‘l .p’ It‘was all over! and Lillian Rothermel, with
 a” asp and a fierce pressing of her heart, smiled
-  ' ' tar him! I

  
 
  
  
    
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
 

 

CHAPTER III.
a amour re run com.

’-_ ,  , Gordeloup went out from
 fiethermel’s presence, it was with
’  cemmingled emotions; foremost and
’ ‘1 ” ’ul of which was the knowledge—so
  ' so’ humiliating-that he had been
' gthro’v'm over, not for love that Lillian bore
 ', aucther, not for dislike that she bore him, but
tar money, money! Lillian had sold herself,
v,  ands: "'him for Edward Clavering‘s
 broad acres and elegant mansion. ‘
v k; ‘He walked along the roadside, hating Ed-
;  (flavoring with a fierce sort of jealousy
 ’ in that he had won his love from him; and he
g .1; :' 99de his lips as he pictured to his indig-
L  _ ,.  imagination, Edward Clavering’s arms
l i  g  ' Rothermel, and his lips touching
; . “ fifths rare outh he had so often kissed, so
 f Q raverently too; for he had not/alone loved
V “C7 ;  Bothermel; he had held her in a sort of
  I tender'worship—tbe chivalrous aflection such
  ; l ‘. menf as Harry Gordeloup always bestow on a
xf1" woman they love-.'
I x , Barry was of a very strange disposition; he
~ 1' ' possessed a commingling of characteristics that
-~_‘ were, seldom met with; whether his life was
a 9'1” "‘ "made the happier by them—these conflicting
‘ ‘ traits of s—I question; but at the same tim0
'  he was a anpf true nobility of soul, as far as
l ‘, principle went; and those impulsesof his were
‘ "not intended 'to govern his life, although he too
‘ , often allowed them to.
‘ So much for Harry Gordelonp, handsome,
‘ uttractive and refined; "nnd at the moment he
‘  was, walking along the sunny roadside, that
» » "clear “day, very much wounded, angered
> -  ‘s'iandginsul'tedfhe thought of Lillian Bothermel,
 5‘, ' her-willows; beautyand dainty ways, and‘his

 

  

 

  

 sunk; he rehrembered' the" usage she

 

given him, and) his cheeks glowed, and, inmost
involuntarily, another ,,

,
I
y

I p ’_ haunting, :1
pleading—rose before him,‘ Then 41s realised 

   
   
  

how Winnie St. Cyr must have. entered when 
he 'went to her so deliberately, and yetsohind-f
ly,‘ to tell her he had learned  5 love ‘ another; j

would the give him up!

A

That was one of Harry Gordelonp’s straight" “
forward peculiarities; to him it was less a 1"

wrong-doing to go to Winnie St. Cyr, and
plainly tell her all the truth, than sufler" her to "
go on loving him, and caressing him, and the

while his, whole soul shrinking from the duplici- 

ty he would enact,
Rothermel.

So he had told Winnie-his bright, sunny

Winnie—than whom no truer woman \lived;
she had listened to his story, and, with quiver-
ing lips and trembling fingers, spoke his release

and gave him back his ring—the ring that now 1
lay in his hand—~that Lillian Rothermel had _‘

returned to him an hOur ago!

A great pang throbbed through his heart as i

he looked dovtn on it; he was beginning, even
so soon, to find the fruit he had thoughtso good,
sweet, turning to Dead See.
his own hands. '

Lillian Bothermel ,was,very lovely, very:
beautiful, and she had loved him; he knew’;

that; he had , loved her, too, really, truly; as I

= well as ever he had loved Winnie St. Cyr; but i,
now the question would still keep forcing itself 
to him, had he done well in transferring his ’
heart from Winnie’s tender keeping toLillian’s. -
fair handsl—he thought, fair and merciless as

the grave were those white hands, and that “
heart of hers. .\ p " V,
He had walked more than two“ , miles,

.through the warm sun and dustybefore he"?-

turned to retrace his steps. ~ i-
He couldnot get back to the city for several 1,!
hours, were he so inclined; besides, why should" i

he fly Fernleigh; he had not done'this wrong;
Lillian’s was the blame, and he almost acquittj

ted Edward Clavering that moment. She 

' won him against his conscience, perhaps,;even;,fz

as she had deliberately stole him, a willin‘ a,
prize, from another. ‘ ‘ ' . _ é
o No, he could face Lillian Bothermel’just ‘ L]
stubbornly as she could meet him; he would ' go,
to Mr. (Havering and congratulate him; he
would laugh and talk to dear old Miss Amy
2nd let Lillian see his heart, was as elastic : ~~.
em. _ I I. ‘ f‘
He walked more leisurely. as , he “neared thr.
entrance-gate at Fernleigh; he switched on t w
grass with his cane in a; careless sort ofaway ‘
he stopped and plucked a spray or, late w: p,
and fastened them in his button-hole; and ' "

this because be "imagined Lillian mizh‘i be ,  I
' ing at him from some closed letting.   '- 

A

and crying“ out for Lillian

“in”

apples even in ?

‘1 ."., A

   
 
 
   
    
 
  
   
    
  
  
   
     

 

 
 

\

 

I) f, “3'39  a little conceited-e-we all 
3P9» ;and he resolved to fightit through with
‘ .:i‘£?°“mm . 
f  ' CHAPTER IV. '
  manicure nova.

v  [HARRY went up the high flight of marble

' W that M to the hall, two or three at a

‘Tjumpuhe remembered Lillian had reproved

» x Pr‘once, very merrily, lest he should make a
mlsStep—through the hall, and, leaving his
  cane and gloves on the stag’s antlers, went
. » “9150 his room to renovate his toilet and make
, iz’himself fresh for the dinner-table.
 . But, with itall, what a dull, heavy, tearing
‘jiilam wasin his heartl He kept thinking of
,  Lillian all the time; thinking how he had lost
 1.191; how suddenly it had come to pass that he
. no right to lay his hands on her bright
, ‘ - ‘hfiir, and look down into her eyes, until the
 * x no!) color cameto her cheek!
 "After he had arranged his dress, he sat down
1. ~, by the‘bowed shutters, to await the ringing of
‘ - .’ the dinner-bell—wondering what Lillian would
. ' Wear down to the table. He always liked a
~~"»\i."black grenadine She wore, with no ribbons-
irLffiPnly her heavy gold jewelry; Mr. Clavering
 had several times complimented her upon her
'_ '11 appearance when she were white, and blue
A trimmings. Directly a door opened opposite
  his+~that was her room, and his heart sprung
 “Obie throat when he heard her skirts rustle
 ' Over the velvet carpeting. .
He heard her walk to the banister, and then,
‘ utter a silence, call, in a clear, high voice!
“Carmen "—Carman was the footman—
; “Will you send some one to repair the bell-rope
 'in my room? And just step to the library and
é tell Mr. Claverlng I 'will see him in a few min-
’9

 

 
  
  
   
    
   
 
 
   
   
  
  

“using an air from “ Les Brigands.” Ahl Harry

* had'taken her down only a week before to hear

hat, very Opera!

l“few heartless she was! how utterly heart-
1

‘ He forgot how he came up the Walk from
the gate;‘hosv he had picked the white roses-‘-
gmd it been only accidentali—the only kind or
i‘fiowers Lillian had expressed a dislike for.

‘ So she was going down to tell Mr. Clever-
lug, he supposed, that she loved. himso dearly
 would accept his offer—mot of gold and
 Nd! and sixtysflvo years of lite-+133: his
_,a'ndhsnd, andprotectiom,

O! a sudden, he resolved to go down-stairs,
to the library, and see her when she came in,
,Vh‘allher‘beauty and'regal grace. V _

_ '1thh himtethink was to not; hethrew

Whiz door, began whistling the some aria
 had sung, and then went leisurely down
 m i' I ,

 

I

.   'A.       * "    *

Then she walked back past his door, hum-_

     

“11",”. R , ~

y,.

‘ .mevltbrary door was wrae open—ma sort of; g; .
mute invitation, it seemed to him, to her 1195'  
stairs to enter-wot he went boldly in, up to: .  "
«Mr. Clavering, who was reading in. his day ’ ‘
chair beside the long, velvet-covered table.  ‘ '
He glanced up—a little suddenly, Harry- 
thought, but it was easily  for.

Harry drew a short ottoman from a corner,   

and threw himself lazily, and not “gracefully; -' V A"
upon  .. , \ if 
“You can spare me a few moments, Hr. '
Claveringi J I am aware you expect  \:
thermel in a short time, but what I want, ' ‘
say can be said before she comes.” -  " 3
He waited a moment, looking at the slight  ‘
expression of momentary discomfitureon .the.‘ v
old gentleman’s face. ' v .1. 
“Yes, Harry, I know why you seek me be~ _. ’
fore Lil—Miss Rothermel comes. ,‘I ’ know '1 
have taken her from you, my boy, and, viewed ‘
in some lights, I think it was a decidedly unkg

friendly thing. But just hear this in mind,  ‘- 

Harry, I am an‘ old man, and she is the only? ,.
woman who ever moved my heart to; tote: “
You are young, with a long life ahead olyou, ,
and you can take your choice from a hundred 
who would never look at an old moire;
me.”  . 4‘ 
"But you forget that, added to. your, $6155;
sonal attractions, Mr. Clavering, is all thief
Harry waved his hand, indicating 
wealth that surrounded him, both ,insideend'f _'
outside. . . ’ 1 V' 
Mr. Clavering’s cheeksflushed indignaatlyi  ,
“ You would insinuate that she would marry;
me for my riches ? You must not let  j
natural disappointment make you ’
Harry.” ‘ r ’ V,  
A little contemptuous smile curled Harry’s,
lip, but he would not tell the old  :»
Lillian did intend to marry him for his lamb;
and nothing but his money. No, she   7‘
to him, and Mr. Clavering might "find .3
himself how bitter his mistake had   .‘ s; ,,
“To prove to you howmistaken 
Harry, my boy, I will whisper a, ’ 
you. I have made my will ' this  @933"
before I know her answer—thoiagh I can  r
it—leaving to Lillian Rothenael, in the event _.
of my rejection, five thousand  .-
as long as she lives; ahdtomywiigit‘r-
marry, justdoublethatsum,  \
the estate." ‘ ' , ,, 7' .
Harry slowly raised his eyebrows; then _ .’ ,
a mammal; thought flashed  his

What it Hr. (havering  
llanbefree! ' _\ >
I 3;; almostcnrsedhimrzlt;lthomxtms ‘
01: ' ttherewasa   .1-
as‘he’aiziieandwent mwugthedoorhk"; ', ‘

 

 

5 “You see, 'Harry,’ how-much! 
You young men 

 

 

   

"a use

 



a («J

 

;‘ face, and would marry the first handsome girl
,_ who’d have you, know nothing of" the love
_ {of the old man’s heart. And, Harry, I’ll
 ' give you a check for five thouSand dollars‘to

  

 But Hairy Was gone; he had not heard
g. _V_ the hotter, almost insulting in its inconsistency.

, , ' CHAPTER V.
V, - runner roa r‘nmsr. ‘
:fi BEFORE Harry Gordeloup had reached the
. "I‘door or the librarythat led to the hall, a
i v faint, sWeet fragrance heralded Irlllian Bother-
?‘ V_ mel’s approach. He 1 gave a sudden start, and
the: fiercely steeled himself for the brief sight
‘ er. " - .
'[He'saflw her first; for her queenly head was
 bowed ' and. her fingers were deftly fastening a
17.,cluster of geranium leaves and several carna-
 4  (ion picks, to her bodice.
  stood still, watching her; looking at
:the trailing white puffed dress, with a wide
Irblue silken sash knotted about her waist; a
; blue ribbon and white lace bache in her purple
fblach hair. ’
f .‘ Theushe, raised her head slowly, with a.
smile hovering on her lips; she saw him, and
the  from to an expression of surprise...
3% there was not a vestige of embarrass-
“ j ‘in her “manner, appearance of language.
.,.,...‘f0h,‘Mr. Gordeloupl I suppose Mr. Clav—
, " f is in the library? How delightfully cool
7.910 his: is growing.”
‘.  ’ladylike, so utterly forgetful! and yet
“there was a latent glow in her black eyes,

 

 

   
   
   
  
   
   
 
   
  
   
    
 
  
   
   
  
 

'. usaer .

 {leut‘I-Iarry thought, in the second he stood

f without answering, it was natural, under the
inscireunistances‘. '

 a“,Yes, .it will be pleasant this evening, I
flick» You Will findthe old gentleman in the

 library.” . .

" a ‘ He would have passed on, but ,she stretch-

 out  arm—oh, how exquisite, it was!

 sleeve falling away above the
elbow; ~~’ . ; ‘ _ '

r '« “‘Hw is this to be? Are you angry with

 . Inmvery sure I am not with you.”

', . There-was the same luring melody in her

 had taught him to forget Winnie

581'» fly; hthe same, no doubt, that had'won the

Y _‘_wealth_ of Edward CIaVering. How he. hated

'   (it, When he heard it, and knew it was for him

7‘ numeral , ‘- .

V'féngryi No. Miss Bothermel, I will

“ _: Therecameaquick, angrygleam to hereyes
,. y ,“ have done what was best, you
r  on this, haughty coldnesslr We might as
 wen-its  least while we  in

 

 

  
  
   
  

",2 a. I
‘ /

      

 8 [deeper bloom on her cheeks than

 

 

‘ ’i I i‘Iwill not trouble the old‘ man’s house long, 1:
Miss rRothermel. “After it passes into: your*

hands, nest assured’l shall, never-3'.

He Wasgetting the 'best of her. They both"?

knew that, every (fitment they stood there.

 . ,‘

    
     
  
  

Harry thought of it, with “a proud anguish» 

—-for he loved her yet, in a vague, hateful
way. ' p .» 
She realized it with wrath, that she had de-

pended on her olden power over him, and‘had

failed so signally. _
“ When it passes into my hands, as you say,

you _will be afforded no opportunity to trouble 

Mr. Clavering and myself. As it is, I think
when you learn Miss St. Cyris hourly expec-
ted, you may alter your arrangements.”

Harry knew by her bitterly sarcastic man- - :-
ner, that she expected him to be crushed,"

discomflted by the mention of that name;
plainly as though she had declared her tac-
tics, he knew she intented to drive him from
Fernleigh, before Miss St. 037 came, as a
punishment for his ascendancy over her; and
because she thought he would blush to meet
her. - ' '
But Harry was equal to the occasion; he
forced a sudden surprised light to his eyes. M
“Is that so? I would not miss seeing Winnie
for all the attractions outside errnleigh.” I ' _
Lillian bit her lip; he was so invnlnerable

——he even called her “Winniel” and how un- I

speakably handsome he was—and, how she
worshiped him that very moment!
Her jealousy—poor, weak woman that an
was, came flaming to her lips. 4 ‘
“I dare say there will be no trouble in re-
newing the old relations. Perhaps you will
crawl hack to her!” ' a I
“ Perhaps,” he said, lightly, and, turned ’on
his heel, and left her standing there, utterly
routed—defeated. ‘ 
She compressed her lips so tightly that the
blood receded, leaving them white and ghastly;
a dull underglow of red was shining through
the dusk of her eyes; then, no sound escaping

her, she went on into the library; her race "

returning to its customary aristocratic delis

cateness and sweetness of expression.

CHAPTER VI.
A woman’s anr.

 

LILLIAN glided softly in, so noiselesst that T‘

the old gentleman did not hear her.

She laid her soft, warm hands on his eyes, I 

and then laughed. —

Mr. Clavering threw down the volume and

tookherhandsinhis own, looking eageryup.

in her face. I , '
“ And think my answer, Idlliani”. % ,,
“If ysmcen 13-30%" ' 
He let go her hands, and drawingher nearer

him with his arm around; her slender Wain,- 

hissed herchsek. ,

 

  
  
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
    
   
 
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
    
    
 
   
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
   
 

  
  
  

(Jam not versed in‘the we: lovemaking,
, {9115, but if theremainder'ofmy‘daye be

    
 
 

 

 

‘ W'gjive the awkwardnessof an old man? ‘ But,
"WI/uni beautiful Lillian, I love you—I cer-

  ly love you better than all the world
“sigfitide‘. And do you love me? can it bepos-

.‘  that you, so young, so charming, love

  
  
   
   
   
 
  
 
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
     
   
  
  
  

Elldneproach.
7‘» “Mi. Clavering, you do me injustice to

311% afi’ection than by vowing to become your
a?” .

“ None! nonel Then you are my betrothed,
idliian? And I may name an early day, a very
Early day, for our marriage?”,

“ That decision may rest with you, Mr. Clav-
Bring. I am ready at any time.” -

» -' “Because I want to see you the mistress of
Fernleigli, Lfllian4—miserably poor return
though it is for all your goodness to m‘e—be—
; «(tense I often am so lonely and cheerless, do I
‘ ‘Want you, my darling. ” -

 She smiled brightly. " -

. “You will not have an opportunity of in-
dulging in gloom when I shall have taken pos-
§ession of you.” r ’

; Her'tondness seemed to touch his heart.

" “‘Your womanly tenderness is such a prize.
Idliian, do you know my heart aches for poor

,Har —”

‘33 she laid her fingers over his lips.
1y.“‘N0,_ Mr. Clavering, I will not allow you
.310 mention that little romance of mine. Suf-

 
 

you, still further what a terrible despot I
gm) . .

.He kissed her hand caressingly ’
..' ~“I never kriew before how delicious a gov-
ernment a despotism could be.”
‘- “Then I’ve another command to issue.
 you agree to do what-I request, blind-
.v ‘ -- . .

 “Blindly, my tyrant.” J

' “Then,” 'she said, dropping 'her hantering
no, and. assuming one of kind, thoughtful
Oneness, “it is regarding Miss St. Cyr.
, 'iss Amy teld me at lunch,.she would be here
' u ' y, very probably, and I see, from various
yo .wn very much together. ~I“feel afraid
we! of the old relations between herself and
. Go‘rdeloup.‘ New, I think it Wonk! bee
:-. ~ “augment; although I have loaned
u Miss amy'that you desire Winnie to
» : ' tramway—.1511“ you never approved
‘. her engagement to Harry.”

 '7 '  DAUGHTER 0F; EVE. 
noted to your happiness, surely you 'will'
"ing, it shall be my purpose to have you obeyed:

"1‘ “ She bent on him a look of mingled tonderness

harbor the possibility of such a thought. f
hat better proof can I give of my respect

{ice it, that Mr. Gordeloup and I are entirew

. room is all ready. I will meet you at "

.‘e‘asons, thatshe and Mr. Gordeloup will be ‘

in  st, .Cyr will endeavor to accomplish a re-'

 

[fringed with glittering lashes; a  * 

.n»: f k
‘7‘? '1‘

‘tYee, the“! m:‘.Winnie has 'reallrbeen ,. 
promised to Lester 'Alvanley since she Wasp   ’
child. ' I desire that match above an things. ’?  ~ 
, Therecame a sparkle to ’Lillian’s eyes,  
Mr. Clavering could not see; bathe: voice was ’ 
just as gentle as ever. . . 7' .

“Then, since you wish it, dear Mr. Clever: ,‘
~33 it shall ever be my duty and.pleasurs_ 
t0 0.” H 5  ‘

 Clavering smiledtdelightedly.“ , 'z. ‘ :'

“Do this, my Lillian, and I Will never  n
get it! I Make it your business tO‘acquaint 
Winnie with my wishes; tell her I will duster .1.
her nobly the day she marries Lester ' ‘
Only, Lillian, dearest, there must be-n'oooer»
cion, you know. I love the child far (too well
to force her into a distasteful marriage. ’.’ v' /

“That would be terrible! No, Mr. Claret; 
ing,1 she must exercise her own  my _‘
duty shall ‘consist in convincing her judg- L-r n
ment.” ‘ - ' \  i" ,j ‘ 

“ Exactly. I will telegraph to Alvanby. to‘- , 0., ‘
come down for a month, and also talk team 7, ,
about it. Harry’s a fine fellow, Lillian; lion? " I
(let you could give him up for—” ' ' ' ' '-

Again the little white hand went 
to his lips. ' ~~ 
“You don’t remember, sir. Once 
Mr. Clavering, Harry Gordeloup is not  .
compared with you I” - _ r  _, ; ‘1
Her face was turned toward the open  .
(low, but the tones declared the comparison in ~ .
her suitor’s favor. _ 1’ .   ,  r .
But these eyes—those dusk-red eyes-aoould  .‘V v,
Mr. Clavering have read their secrets, . .
would not have been flattered. fl , f ;' "1  .
Suddenly Lillian concentrated her  ; ,5
a carriage driving up the road.  '_  I  '1: ,V
‘Flt is the Fernleigh coach,  C'th 
——yes, I see there isa lady within. Miss: St," 
Cyr, I presume. Now, I will gosee if 

 

Mr. Clavering.” 3 ' . __ , 

He clasped her in his arms and 
when she turned to go away, a superb  ‘
diamond ring was blazing on her  .
She raised it to her lips, and. with  '3
him, she hastened up to her room, 
the bowed shutters lookeddown on the young» ; '1.
girlas she alighted from the coach; a  ~ 3 .

strange surveillance it Was, tool’l

CHAPTER VII, ..  .
. . ‘ WINNIE sir. out. ,‘ , ,4   "
. Agrnmn figure, of exquisitelymolded  
portions; hair of. brightest 'brown,;tinted, with _ r * .
rich golden bronze shades-Jens, lustrous hair, ‘ ‘ V x"
curled in a loose‘thick mass at. the‘heckfofgw_ ,

!

 

.amnged ala Pampadom‘ in   

eyes or a rare, violet hue. long in" 
slumhrous in expression, With. m“ White 

 

 

 

  

 

   

jg” .- I  Winnie'St. 'r as she an hte'd . I
;' ‘ cy ' ' g hardly three years since ‘she'had first
r—how well she remembered it! , '

y . dronithe carriage at theyldoo‘r, and walked up
‘ '  flight of marble‘steps. '

3 , A‘ wondrously fair girl, with quiet,reth'ing
y manners, full ‘ of inbred culture and refine-
 } merit; a‘ trifle cold m her general demeanor,

‘ /. .andvery sensitive.

:; I. ‘ , ‘That was Lillian Bothermel’s rapid mental
 l ,; description of her, as she went awaytrom her

ow. ‘ y N,
, EShe is dangerous; she shall merry Lester
’ «Alvsnleyi’l '

. V And she went gracefully downstairs tomeet
 Miss St. Cyr, wondering if Harry‘had seen her
 YEW-‘3, '

'V I Butmshe was a moment too late; for'Miss
“Winnie had just gone into the room assigned
 harm“ her room]? she called it,“ the (me she

V ' always‘oceupied when visiting at Fernleigh.

'  At‘ the: door she dismissed the maid, and
‘ (turning the key, sat weariedly‘ down in a.

 

  
  
   
  
 
   
   
  
 
   
 
 
    
  
  
 
  
   
 

‘ » comfdmbly-‘padded chair.

(3,, Eernleighwas no strange place to her; her
2 _ 'averf'ttfliest memories wereot this'same room,
  she‘ could just remember, seeing her
 invdlid‘fmother sitting by the window that
,. commended such a view or. the swelling hills
. “' and. winding river. ‘

' * Then‘ldrsfit. Cyrhad died, and "Mr. Clever-

, . Mr. Clevéing’s earliest 'triends‘had given her
7:: mother a home to die in, bad promis‘edto see
-   little Winfred should be educated so
  gshe might be prepared to earn henown
 living" when she grew old enough.

~ . Bethe years went on, and little Winnie St.
..  “grown to, girlhdod; a fair, sweet girl,
3  tap, with-e coniplete education, a warm, tender
a z    full of, lasting gratitude to Mr. Edward
 and possessed of a womanly inde-
  ‘ceuld not accept the ofler to
z - make-Feraleish be home. ..

’ " Shells went forth, earnest, brave and strong,
’ * to  the world what it owed her—-
‘ ‘  yhatit owes us all, and will pay us all, it we
3*.  hht courageous enough to demand it boldly;
' , it"‘w‘e (era but strong enough and brave enough
 to shut to the fight with industry, economy
;_ ,;. prudence for our weapons. \

I. 7 7 ’Winnie St. Cyr had been thus fortunate; she
 had at the very first. (mode congenial mode
,. -’ of  es children’s gusto instructress in the
' * ofersDr. H oresten; success, 9. ohm.
 income; ell reasonable happiness hao

 

 

. ,  We“ hereexoept— , .
'-, _     Gordeloup so; with an

I . 5‘  .  and depth of her exquie‘
" '  i; he had been her/sun, her king, her

I _~, :rsry  now, as she sat [alone in the
'  ‘eooh'dsrtkened room It Feraleigh, where her

  

, acquaintance developed into triendship; then

  hig,:who,_ior her dead father’s sakes—one of '

., wrought her her heart-ache, she wondered if 

 

  

 

'  b V l V ' . “resentmermfi 7  _ fig
 that mg. “gen; , '1)" win flung“ ‘ "pm-est» mother  7 "she thought how bitter. .
..  wad m y a “the desolation haddtg’ept o‘ver’her', / ' "

It hnd an happened so suddenly; it was

seen him

Y He had come tovDr. Florestun’e, One day, mi
business relating to his profession—Harry was ' '1
an architect and Dr. Florestan was about to. :
build a new reception omce, she hadseen him, ‘ 
while she and little Jessie were passing out for 11
a. walk. When she came back, Mrs. Florestan, . i
who had come down with a woman’s curiosity 
to learn about the new addition, had 'discov- ;
cred he was the son of one of her teachers atthe‘< ’ "
institute, years ago, and had introduced them. ‘
That was the propitious beginning; their

blossomed into love, while Dr. Florestanjand ;
his wife smiled and approved, and invited s
Winnie’s lover as often as she did herself. ‘ ;
Then came the plans of that, splendid totvn
mansion. of Mr. Clovering,,”thst, through 
Winnie’s loving schemes, were executed by .
Mr. Gordeloup, who, of course, was necessi‘ 
tated to frequent business trips to Fernleigh,
sometimes elone, sometimes with ’Winnie. .
Then Miss Rothermel had suddenle come to,
Fernleigh. Harry met her one day, and Mr.
Clavering, who heid canceived a strung, attach- *
ment for the skillful, handsome young‘tellow, 
and made a. friend or him, introduced the two. _;
Just yet that time, one of the little, Flores-,3 =
tans being taken ill, Winnie was, at her own  ,3
and the child’s request, constituted nurse; {or- 
eleven weeks she never left the house, seeing

 

’Harry only at blissful, snatched  when I 

.Y slept. , y .  
Then, little by little, she grew‘to wondering 
what ailed Harry; and, before she fairly had -, "‘

time to inquire into it, he told her all. 

Poor, stricken Winnie! as She  of it 
now, with the womaniunder the r00! whohad * ,5

 
  
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
   

she ever would get used to it all? , 7
She did not come to ‘Fernleigh of, her own“, 
free will; Dr. Florestan’s family had gone to 
the White Mountains tor a month, and ince -
she refused to join the , she promised to
rest and recuperate at, ernleigh. . ‘ ' '
She hadinever told Mrs. Florestan, or the
doctor,” of Harry’s wholesale jilting‘ '01 "her,
though they often rallied herion  of v
her quiet ways andsubdued smile.‘ She had v
not felt it to be right to subjecthim she loved, .
and ever would love, to the severe judgment "
sheknewhemerited.‘ " r W ,
As to his being,.;et Fernleigh,   I
thought; of conrse,,sinoe, he ,waebetrothed to’
this ‘wondreuely behntiiul  
whom she had  seen as yet,'*he would?
often run down'tromvthe city; baton ,
occasionsshe thought it would bee WW! ~ .

 

   

 thing to retire to her room and remain
9'9. .Of Lillian Bothermel’e treachery to
. y Gordeloup, and her engagement toMr.

cth’ing, she was perfectly ignorant; of only
We fact was she sure—she loved Harry Gordo-
‘t P fidearlyasbeforehe had desertedher
. 0‘ Lillian Rothermel’s beautiful self.
,  With a pride she. could not help, she de-

‘erminee to show herself to Miss Rothermel to ..

:29 Very. best advantage. If Harry had given
11" up for another, that other should know
8 6 “’98 as worthy of him as the present fhfncee.‘
had Innis laid out the dress Harry Gordeloup
fw 80 often declared was exquisitely lovely.
v '.  she was dressed, she went alone down-
FWH. to find Miss Amy and Mr. Clavering.
, -- A slender, graceful figure was arranging
, Wars in a tall crystal vase; the library,
“horrise, was empty.
‘ inn—for it was she— °
imam. I ‘ turned qmckly
7 “This is Miss St. Cyri Iknow you by intui-
 .0“: Imppose. I am Miss Lillian Rothermel.”
f 3116 extended her hand cordially, and Winnie
gist how surpassineg beautiful she was
when, she smiled. Harry couldn’t have helped
. “8 poor fellow!
he gave her warm white fingers to Lillian,
ho caressed them in a mute, welcome sort of
l "I am glad to see you, Miss Rathermele—
M9“, I always have been curious to do so,
find how I am at Fernleigh for my vacation, I
, 028 We will become very well acquainted.”
filing Indeed, I earnestly desire it. Miss Amy
" I §P0ken of you so much and so praisefully,
,‘ 3m sureIshall flnd greatpleasure inbeing
' 30111' friend.” , '
*th how, a pang shot through Winnie’s
 eart- So it was Miss Amy who had pre-
_» 1:2er Miss Rothermel to know and admire
. . 1'? Shehad hoped, in vague a way, that Har-
.  spoken kindly of her!
I vthBut this rival—this ero'wned rival, Winnie
f ' might her——must not see her take note of this
eeremark.
‘ 1“ She had but known it was a cautious,
Enflmed blow, and that the result was as
-.  fyntto Lillian as it was painful to herself x
I  Miss Amy is the dearest old lady! 1 hope
f _ ‘f‘m findher well, and Mr. Clavering?”
. wok yes, they are both enjoying good
‘  and are anxiom to see you. We will
5- .- When: in the garden, I think, with our
 I“ . We have two or‘three friends staying
 Fenleigh, andvl‘ believe Mr. Clavering is
. i more. i
_ “The faint color surged to Winnie’s face—it
 ‘53- V who was coming, then! But she
 ightly:
 1- Earnings is such a delighqu place that all
'. i ‘-‘- mlvuing’s friends are fortunate.”
1 ' Indeed, yes. And now will-YO“ 50 With

5

, r.“
.

.9

 

 

.2
g.

 

there’s Mr. Clavering

 

r

a DAUGHTER or EVE; ' ' ' '9.

me insects: of our host and hostess, Winnie! ’
You'eee, I am resolved to be friendly.’.’
Winnieforced a smile. V
“I am grateful; are you ready tdgol"
' Lillian passed her am through Winnie’s, 
the two walked leisurely down the flower-r
bordered path. "

At the fountain, where the road suddenly‘

mtv'” '- sham r'III've. they heard footsteps. ,
There", breaking abruptly upon them,'~wae
Harry Gordeloup! ' .

CHAPTER VIII.

m m'rING IN tram smut.

It, with all her consummate tact,

Rothsrmel had arranged a meeting between the,

two, it could not have been more satisfactm‘y'

to her; and, surprised as she was herself, she
was enabled to conceal it. -

Harry involuntarily stepped back; then, has

stantly reassuming an easy, indiiferent air,

 

raised his hat gallantly. ' I

" I beg pardon, Miss St. Cyr; this is a.
pleasant as unexpected. I am‘ glad you, have
joined us at Fernleigh.” -

He did not vouchsafe a glance at Lillian, I

who was keenly watching them both.  x .
For an instant Winnie’s heart gave such .m-
ful leaps she seemed to suflOcate; then, by-

some superhuman power, she ’concealedg, all .

signs of her sudden agitation; and, save by a
quivering of the fingers Lillian held, she would
never have guessed the emotion the girl expe-
rienced. ' 1 -

“ Thmk you, Mr. Gordeloup.  .

to see you here, as well.” 7 
Her voice was low and perfectly even, lad

die looked up at him as she spoke. . x ’
“ Then Mr. Clavering did not tell you!

though I expect to return in a day or so.” i.

' “ I have not seen him yet. Miss Botherm_
perhaps you mentioned it, and I did not
notice.” 

Winnie turned to Lillian, with a certain'din ~'
idea that matters were wrong between her and

Harry. , . A V .
“ I hardly know whether I did ornot, Wine.
nie. One in my position has so many things
to think 0!. While I remember it, deer, ymrn
old friend, Mr. Alvanley, is coming tomor-
mw.’ ‘ ‘ :
Lillian watched the eflect of her
ment with secret exnltetion. . .
“Mr. Alvanley! to Fernleigh! . I am very
n

But her face was growingecerletdunder 
keen glances of Lillian’s eyes, no less than
theregankof Harrythstshe feltwere fined

announce-

on her.
, “Oh, well, you needn’t  Winnie. We
all know the little .m— “I

GordolOup,”

m3 ’

new,  13,313 ~

 

'19

“a DAUGHTER 0r m

. 1?? ‘i  

 

‘:‘-'r\.f

 

i ,

 

p t  hurried Winnie away, and left Hm!

/ to return to the house, ’or wherever he saw ilt, ,

i with that (also representation in his ears.

“ ‘Mr. Alvanleyi a delightful little secret?
What'coniditmeau unlessaloveaflairl Who
wm thisxiellow who was coming to Fern-
leighi He would like to choke him, anyhow!”

Poor Harry! The sight of those two women
——the one whom he had jilted, so fair and pure,
,and the one who had thrown him over, so
haughty and sarcastic—had aroused strange

I feelings in his heart. ‘

Why should he care whom Winnie St. Cyr
married! She was nothing to him, and never
would bo,‘1'or never while he lived would he go
back to her whom he had so outraged, and ask

V to be “mated.

But there was an unaccountable feeling in
hisheart—he had been so nnmercifully cruel
to Winnie, and she was so pretty and woman-
ly. Well, Lillian Rothsrmel had paid him up
for it; and he took a savage satisfaction in the
bought. -

They were intimate, at any'rate, then, for

_ she had called her Winnie; be supposed she
, - would, tell her every thing—women always
, , , did; He almost hoped
 . _§rhaps, Winnie would pity him, and somehow
'- " ‘ innle's sympathy would have  very

" tweet just then. '
~ Not that Harry was re-falling in love with
Winnie St. Cyr; nothing was further from his
Mghte; but he had been so unrooted in his
' confidence in Lillian Bothermel; he had been
 eo'wounded to the very depths of hispature;
and there is no other time when a soul goes
j yearning for sympathy as when it is crushed
. ' and bruised. ‘ '
Harry knew the kind of pity Winnie would
. have poured in his soul had he been wounded
' in any other cause, and was still true to her.‘
He longed (or some kind word, but he knew
41: could not come from her, whomlhe had so

" - N  hadnot thevaguestdremn of a re-
' " newfiflt old relations with her, even when
he  “ perhaps,” to Lillian, that after-
" 2m m was, he loved this false, ambitimis
' woman as well, in a ant sort: of way, as
he had done a week before. ,People who love
‘ as he did cannot smother it an at once, though

‘ their pride may quench the flames little by
little, untilreasnn can come to the rescue, and

, at one well-directed blow dash the smoldering

_ (fire!)de in ova-y direction, never to be
«»  He turned around at the door to watch the

r We women; they were just turning the curve

er.  rue arbor; then he went in and
threw w down on the sofa in the reading-

m

she would, for then, ‘

 

CHAPTER IX. V

r‘ m'snsnow‘on run ram. ‘ 
LILLLA'N and Winnie had walked on in:
perfect silence after they had gone on from
Harry. "‘
Then Winnie, with pained reproach in her"
eyes and voice, turned to Miss Rothermel. .
“Why did you not prepare me for thatl:
Besides, had I known Lester Alvanley was.
coming, I Would have gone to the menu :
tains,” . i V t
A sparkle came to Lillian’s e '
“I thought you knew Harry was here; and.
had I dreamed my careless announcement,
was so distressing. surely I would not have:
made it. I understood you and he were en»;

gazed. .
Winnie exclaimed, angrily! 1;
“Miss Rothermeli you of all others should

know I am not engaged to any one, much less"

him. I cannot so soon forget.”
“ That I was cruel, Winnie, you mean!”
“I had rather not discuss it; please. Mr. ’

Clavering, I am so delighted!” " -
She broke away from Lillian to greet-Mr.

Clavering. . ,"3
“You are in time to congratulate me, too,

Winnie,” he said, after anfiexchange of com 2

pliments, and glancing at Lillian as he spoke; ’
“Upon what, sir!” ' » 'V "
“ Has she not told‘you that she is going to ’:

make me the happiest of men? Surely, Lil/

lian, you told her of our approaching mar-

riage?” ' ' ‘
Winnie uttered a little cry of astonishment. ‘
Lillian laughed at her evident dismay. 
“I was reserving that important item till 33
the second day’s acquaintance.” ' ' 
“ But—but I thought—J, always understood
it was to be Ear—Mr. Gordelou‘p,” « ‘ if
Her words were treighted with painful sur-L 

rise.
“No. Mr. Gordeloup changed his mand"
once upon ‘a time, so I felt a perfect liberty in 5’

 

  

following his example." ~
annie winced under wthe calm, almost more:
ciless tones. pg
“ So you’ll not even kiss meter the news,
Winnie!” , :
Mr. Claveflng held out his arms to V em! racer;
her, but she only stood still, paling and crim‘;
coping by turns, glancing'at Lillian’s immobile;
face, that seemed to transform to a very Meiji
dusa head before her; at Mr. (Havering, so old,;
so noble, so unsuspecting; atth'e reuse, whithe'
or poor Harry had gone en‘al'one. ‘ v "‘ ,5
It rushed over her in an overwhelming for?
rent: this woman, whom she despised from this;
moment, had broken her Harry‘s heart for 
Clavering’s money; and the dear,'kllid101d L
wasblindtoit‘alll  , _~ 3‘ a
“ Perhaps Miss St. Cy? does not War Z,

xi

 
 
 
  
   
 
  
 

 

  
 

F  n. I; . ,3: .7 v, i 3v“),
/'v

or;

ing reverie, and Winnie turned. to the Old gen-
tleman with all the impulsivenem of her na-

true.
« “Mr. Claveringl Mr. Claverlng, I , do not
' ‘Pprovel I am sure it is wrong for her to
1 rant to marry you when you are so old—for-
' "give me, my dear, kind friend! but there is
Harry’s heart she has trodden on to reach your
,mOney—oh, Miss Amy! do you think it right?”
A cloud, dark as thunder, was on Mr. Clay-

, efing’s forehead. ,

“ Winfred! you forget yourself 1 I must beg
, , an ample apology of this lady, who, in one
Week, will be my wife.” "

“ A week!” repeated Winnie, unheeding the
request: and then Lillian spoke:

“ I beg you will overlook her language, Mr.
Glavering, for my sake, please.”

She laid her jeweled fingers on his arm.

“ I will, because you ask it! Winfred, I am
surprised! To say the least, your remarks
tend to display a regard for Mr. Gordeloup in-
gumpatible with maidenly delicacy.”

 Winnie’s eyes began to flash. ‘ ,
’ “ Mr. Clavering, you know I have no inter-
, est in the gentleman, and if I had, I think it

' wouldbemore to my interest to see her mar-
ried to you.” I ~

Her voice was clear and high, and Lillian
manner]; secretly at the turn aflairs had

i » . “Lotus forget this. Winnie, Mr. Clavering,
.  Shake hands and be friends.” ' '
" ~ ‘ She beamed her sweetest smile on them.
“No, I will not,” said Winnie, spiritedly.
’i i “I will not forget it or forgive it, until Mr.
'v ; Clavering takes back his insinuation regarding
Mr. Gordeloup.”
x He smiled amusedly.
_ 2: ' . “You are a silly child. You had better-for-
' Bettina gay Mr. Barry, and prepare to meet
_ 55 Mr. Alvanley to—morrow. You know what we
3 , refill wantw—what I particularly request regard-
" a ' ‘ Lester"  ' ,

f “I neVer shall marry him.” ,

“ But if I should enforce it, ch!”

11. laughed as he spoke.
 could not live long enough 150 ‘10
‘Te‘ii‘br I’d be an octogenarlanl Let’s drop e11
? talk. Winnie, we’re too old friends to
v, rrel so. Take my arm,Lillian’;Winnie,
1,  walk withAmy,and promiseand
   Ieanneitherpromiee‘nor forget!
' nnoosnm am

e
x

 

  '“ was destined tocontlnuelegit he'd
. ’ ,1!»- tbat evening, whey: the entire
met in the dining-room, Hr. Lester

   
  

4 DAUGHTER cum  r

» Lillian’s cold, eventones brOke the absorb.

Med that Winnie 8t. Cyr’s appearance ,

 

Alvanley "had arrived. Winnie had not heard

but, as.‘hadtherestotthefamily,andshe

clean: was surprisaeld when she saw «him.  -
wasnota, dsome man, b an means,
but there was an ninetstylishnesye  him
that wasalmostasgood. Hewasrathargrave
than merry, and yet know just what to say,~
and when to say it. - H . ‘
Generally he was a favorite with  in ,

fact,.of all the women he knew,  St. 

Cyr was the only one whom he had neveuheen .
able to become very well acquainted with,
True, she would laugh and tells-but that was

all; by no possible stretch of imagination could'  '» I
Mr. Alvanley see héw he‘would dare [call her »'  ‘

Winnie—and yet be regarded her as  future
wife, and had come down to Fernleigh “more

because he hoped to admnce his causethan 
.from courtesy to Mr. Clavering.

01 Harry Gordeloup he knewyeonsiderable;

naturally he was disposed ,todislihe him be—

cause he had succeeded in engaging  to
him, despite all the persuasions he,  to,
prove she had no right to acceva Gordeloup’s
attentions, on the ground of a me lose
independence, had scouted the idea;  would
recognize no such engagement“; the  never?

made it, and would not be held  gar ‘ 
the promises of other parties. If Alums v I 11“:
m7 M ' it

ley was disposed to keep the '

was simply unfortunate; she  mover ," '

should. '

,So she had given, herselifiI tofiar‘r‘yGorde-
buy and now Lester Alvanley dej _, ,, him
for part he had played town] Wis,
though how he had learned it  .neveifi‘knew;

she only knew her lips had never  ‘

him. . , -
so Lester Alvanley hadcome down to 
leigh to strive again for the hand and  of

Winnie St. Cyr; he loved her with a true at- 
e hto. ,.

fection, and had Winnie loved him I I
marry him, hewould have madegher axgood;
came to t ' ‘ ’ ' K .
looked up at the instant  '7 
ward to greet her. He saw cheep,  ed
0010:, and ascribed it to a   the
truth; be noticed-Alvanl'eyfs 
‘ing, andthenhe eawLillianf  ,
onthem.   e. -
For the moment he hatedher  
he saw she wesstill jealous of him,  ma-
neuvering to bring abouts. 
Winnie and Alvanleye , , A , \
‘Thenheremembel’edwbsthehadheard
Winnie say so often about Lester Alvanley,
andhecurled his lips in mutemptatthepal-
pable schema, - ~ '

   

 

    J   . 
wag; W’lnnie went to-h‘ei‘ room;

«ment with him. But Winnie. withhefngusfi ‘

git”? “ 

smile ;

Hwy: 
Hurrtookutrolli and Mr. Alvanley, eta-g”. 

\4.’

 

1104'1‘ ‘

 

 

 

 

 

" t, cui’tsindto and fro, and she instantly decided



' “Maud she had awakened suddenly, from a

  

12'

, LA DAUsnrsnor EVE. I.

 

cigar with Mr. Clavering, pleaded fatigue as
yen excuse to retire. , p r _
n ‘Very shortly Lillian and Miss Amy went,
and Fernleigh was dark and silent by eleven
o’clock. ' The night was very warm; there seemed
a storm brewing, fer the stars were bid, and not
a breath of air was stirring. V ‘
Winnie had been sitting beside her window
all the long hours since she had come upstairs;
, and new that the house was quiet, she threw a
light shawl over her shoulders, and groped her
- way-through the main hall to the front versu-
da. Her head" was aching, but not more than
her heart; “she felt about her the invisible
presence ofsome impending trouble. Was Mr.
' Alvsnley come to torment her again? or was
Lillian Rothsrmel, the treacherous woman she
had so suddenly, decided her to be—an enemy
or alriendi Wrapt in her thoughts, she paid
‘ no heed toythe moments, and only when a chill
,_ breeze, suddenly sweeping from the river,
‘ ‘ made her shiver, did she arise to go in again. _
‘ She had gained the upper landing, and was
' just opposite Mr; Clavering’s door, when it
“ » suddenly opened, and Harry Gordeloup came
, out. Winnie shrunk beck among the pillars
' that linedthe hallway, holding her breath lest
hesho‘uld hear her; then, when he had entered
his“ room, she glided , noiselessly from her
 niche; gently closed Mr. Clavering’s door, that
 Harm had ' left ejar, end entered her own
 apartment. ,
» ‘7  quick rush of garnients startled her, and
‘ she looked into the hall again to see who was
there; but the rising wind was sweeping the

it wk that she had heard.
. W  worn with the fatigue of her journey,
 she-laid herself down, and was immediately

 

 CHAPTER XI.
. ran opera-snow. \
. ’  Sun was 'nwakened by an unusual commo-

, 'tion through‘the bones; the sun was shining, a.
broad ribbon of golden light, across her room;
 drobifiwas, chirping On a tree~branch near her

,' winddw, and every thing out 0! doors was
freehand beautiful. . ‘

But there Was e strange something ~'tha.t
filled her with terror the moment she awakened
 deep perfect wakefulness with this
? curious  about her. ' “

i  She laughed at her nervousness and rose,

' to dress herself, an the while wondering
' why;- the servants ,made such a distracting
'  noim sweeping and dusting the halls and go
mode. ’ ‘ '

“Then fiying'footsteps, not from downstairs, ,
bmifrom the 5001‘ where Mr. Clavering  
we 4

 and wherefisrryhsnmsmomfindm V

 

ermel hers, paused at her door, followed by 1i.
quick, nervous rap. f _ '

“For God’s sake, MissSt. Cyr, come down!
he’s dead! he’s dead!” ' ' , ‘ '

She sprung to unlock the door, with wild-
est excitement leaping to her face. ’ '
It was  who was outside, her .face
white as death, her eyes glittering with fear
and grief;. a long white wrapper draping her
figure, and her black hair streaming adown

her shoulders. ' ,

She caught Winnie's hands, and wrung them
in her own. ‘

“0h, Winnie, Winnie, I think I am going
crazy—any brain seems burning when I try
realize it.” .

“ Who——what—who is dead?” '

“Didn’t I tell you it was Mr. ClaVering— '
dead, nunnnsnn in his bed!” , ' V r

A scream burst from Winnie’s lips:

“Merciful Lord, nol Mr. Claveringwdear,
old Mr. Clevering murdered] He hod‘not an
enemy in the world.” ,

“But would a friend have done itth
Winnie, pity me! kiss me, and tell me you

I pity me because I have lost him!” .

And Winnie, pale and trembling, haltvdazed
at the sudden news, knelt and wound her bare
arms ‘around' Lillian Bothcrmel’s neck, and ‘
kissed her cold forehead. .  ~

“Come down, and see him. He is so trun-
quil, so noblewmy grand lover! Winnie, I
wonder if I can survive this fearful blow. ‘
And we were to be married on Thursday. I
know you did not approve; but Ilovedhim so I
dearly l” .

She bent a sorrowfully-questioning glsnce on
Winnie, who shook honhead.

“ Never mind that, Miss' Botbermel; per— -
hope I was hasty and rude. We will forget it, -
and Pi] pray Heevento comfort you.” ‘

They went down the elegant velvetcarpeted
stairs, silently, and walked into the chamberot
mystery. I I , ‘

‘ Winnie glanced up; Harry Gordeloup stood
beside the bed, with Miss Amy leaning on his
arm, sobbing and moaning. ‘ \

Mr. Alvanley, with quiet dignity, sat beside
the window. I

Harry glanced up as the two womencsme
in; Winnie met that quick, half-vexed look——
and a faint cry escaped her, as she saw a tense,

‘ grey line’getber around his mouth.

She grew deathly chill; her knees trembled,
until she feared she should fall, andlk. AI—
Vanle)’ Sprung to catch her swaying figunp. A
dull red tinge came to Harry Gordeloup’s face
as her eyes sought his again, and then she

swooned into unconsciousness. .
Andallthls, mumfikeehhlnvelnaon,
had come to her a  ; shru-

membmd wmwehafl mm new no, : 

 

 

A'DAtieHTER or  '

 

13’

 

room of the murdered matinee some night; .

she knew how he loved  ROthemeL—
lhe old man’s betrothedl ,

The terrible force of this conviction, highb-
ened by'the wild, strange look in his eyes
when she met them, had beenltoo much; her
consciousness mercifully gave way, and she
lay in Lester Alvanley’s arms, as ghostly and
pallid as the dead man on his couch.

Lillian, Seeing Miss Amy and Mr. Alvanley’

were attending to Winnie, had gone over to

the bedside, and sunk on her knees, mvering

4 Mr. Clavering’s hand with her eager kisses;

" I and ,Harry Gordeloup smiled grimly down,

” thinking she would be repaid by that live
~ thousand a yearl ,

Already the coroner had been notified,

the physicians sent for, and they were wait
ing for the possible explanation of the mys
te . ' 1‘
r'IJ‘rranquil and still Mr. , Clairering lay, his
V features clad in the icy dignity and grandeur
‘“ that death always lends the face of a man
- who has gone, clear-conscienced, to his final
'ucoount.

There had been no struggle; not even a con-
traction ot a finger, or a corrugation of the
forehead; only on the breast, where the linen
' shirt had been unfastened, was a tiny red spot;
not so large as e mustard-seed, yet fear-fully

?' indicative of a mysterious foul play. ‘

The consulting physicians found no possible

, cause for death in the vital organs; Mr. Clev-

ering was a healthy, temperate man, and would

have lived years yet; so, when the horrible

 little red spot was examined, a universal cry

of horror went up.

i; It had been his death; a poisoned barb

Q, had been shot into his flesh; some little

‘ diabolical engine of death had done its
work.

What it had been they could only specu-
late; enough that he was murdered—by

om?

That was the question to be settled.

Certainly a personal revenge; for not a
 jewel, nor a dollar of money had been
- touched; _
'But‘ the mystery was dense as Egyptian
darkness“? and the verdict was rendered in
accordance therewith; which only Winnie St.
er Cyr, in her long, deep faint, might have
’ 7 clearedupl

 

CHAPTER XII:
m vow one meow.
v THE day Mr. Clavering lard appointed for
» his wedding was selected for the funeral ser-

   

,, It was deliciwsly clear end cool; the sun
 “W had shone so brightly, it seemed to
17f," 2 Lillian Bothermel, or the breeze to blow so
4} ,,Lm’93hingly as on that day, when, instead of

 

 

"stricken Lillian, whose low, plaintive subs filled ’-

anguish for the living, that sent thesobloode‘ ‘ L

 

Lillian were together, alone, by the 

proudly waiting *by his use up the  in. 7 "

a: Fernlei‘giii church, she crept along   

'm. inrtr ins mow-nine  and homing" .s ~- 4 4

carried in headlol‘emostlg  k L  ' w ""
That was a. grief-fraught, day to («botaniin

and guests at Fernleight; and while ,they all , 

bewailed the of, Mr. Clayering, each was 

most tender in their sympathy  poor,

the small parish church during the service,
whose utter abandonment of  she 
kissed her dead betrothed a. last good-bywitg’r ; ,
was the first kiss she ovor had,.i _ -  
given him—was pitiful, even in the eyes of, ”’ 
men unused toweep. ,  ‘ f- 
Every one acknowledged what a. blow it} - ‘
must be to her; people who, when they had 
received her wedding invitations, had  '
and called her an ambitious womamtoln'vieso - ‘ ' "
completely gotten the best ,0! old Mr; 
ing and Fernleigh, now shook their  ‘
thought how mistaken they 
casing her of marrying for money. film it I
was all for love, ,after alll T   r 
All but Harry Gordeloup; he, sat with  , :
friends, just beside Mr. Alveuley,.and¥mo~ , 
he could See Winnie St. Cyr’s bowed/head“ r
shivering form-if he had but “awaiting, 
not for'grief for the dead, but womthan;

 

  
  
    
    
   

curdling tremors through her veinsl, 7, » , . a r. . ,
But he didn’t know; and it   
tural in him to attribute her mm are ’ ,_ a"
loss of such a‘ friend as“   
had been to Winnie, and her"    
er.,’ ‘  r. 
So he sat there, grimly upright, at with,   ,
a certain grayness in his face that  mmv   H
left it since Lester Alvanleyhsduwakened him:  ~ 
that fatal morning "with the news. He Was' ‘  
nervous, and he didn’t attempt to ,denyit, , 
either to himself or others; but the  fi‘f 
thought of was, Lillian was  and, m ‘ "
heiress, aithwgh She did not know that yet, at:   ,»,
course. { - ~ we; 
He thought a great deal otWinnleflinbeg , ' 
tween thoughts at Lillian; Winnie, do?“ 
spise him, he supposed, because  ' 
used so contemptuoust by  yet, for 
all, be imagined there had beans notice;
of the old~timeafiectiou left in. 
her emotion that morning! 2' _ ’ '
_ Very little of the eulogy did lie/hear; find
not till the smears and  had
passed in solemn orderaroun‘d the aisleste '
look upon Mr. Clever-lug for the last time, and
it remained for the party from Fertileich to
_y then-sad tribute/dummy  {mm '
unaware. ,' ‘ f. y ‘  ,  _.  
Miss Amy and . Ainsley had  gen '
toward the door; so that"he,'Wibnle 

 
 

He did not like to look slides}?! people-wit is 3,: ~ 

 

A ' 1 .- y /
vx .

 

' = ‘44 ' L a momma m

;.. e...__ —v . n L- «~—

nstitutional peculiarity with some persons-,- The tears“ rushed in her eyes, and her lips
so, bestowing ahasty glance, seeing more quivered; and there Were few present who
of Winnie St. (3st blanched lace and wide did not remark afterward: What a charm-
eyes then Mr. Clavering’s, he would ‘ vs ing woman she was; how nobly she acted,
hurried on. ’But Lillian laldher black ded yet with such a sorrowful humility of de—
- handheavily on'hisarm. , marten”, ‘ .
“wait only a moment, and you, Miss St. Then she glided around to Miss Amy'Cia-
Cyr, to listen to the vow I make, in the voting, andleened her head On her shoulder.
solemn presence of death, and may the de- “I would have been so content to have re-
‘ parted spirit of my betrothed husband hear mained in the old way- Miss Amy, I dare not
‘ z ‘my sworn vow~'-never to consider my earthly accept this, dearly as loved him. I ‘ieel I am ‘
mission complete, until I have avenged his an intruder—a robber; robbing you of your a
death! From his open come I go forth; rights.” 
my task is not so hard, for I have my sus— Was it any wonder Edward Claverlng had
- - In K loved her? so noble and womanly and high
;‘ r She fixed her eyes for a second on Harry principled?
Gordeloup’s face, that, despite the occasion, Miss Amy impulsively kissed the beautiful,
-  under the gaze once so dear to him; upturned face, with its dewy lips and moist
"end Winnie, with a wild gesture of her eyes.
hands, turned to go, meeting as she did, “Take it, and be my own darling, as I;
Lillian Rothermel’s black eyes, as sternly as know you were his; my younger sister, who
, mmenn-y had. will cherish me and care for me, now I am
union had attracted no attention; her voice growing old." ‘
had been low and terribly impressive; but 80 Lillian bowed to her destiny; a sweet,
to Winnie she had seemed like some onsweep- and smile on her face as she walked gracefully
ing Nemesis, speaking with thunderous voice. back to her seat; a wild sense or exultant
- The three walked down the aisle; Lillian Vtreedom lnher soul that was laughing at its
' j entered the carriage, with Miss Amy and trim!!! ” . '
‘ Winnie; Harry and Air. Alvanley occupying There was little else todo after this; first g

the m 4 _ came  congratulations of the lawyers, who 
.~ . CHAPTER XIII. . ’ felt it a greafniéleashuge to take Miss Rothermel's: 
warm, nes ' d and tell her her cod 

aunt’s CONGRATULATION. luck was nothing, iii comparison with em.

' Ar Fernleigh, when the party returned, Plavering’s 108% in being taken from so charm:
‘_ , : dinner ‘was spread; afterward, they gathered mg a prospect; then the friends, Winnie and.
in the library, where the will was to' be read. Mn Alvanlemnntil, standing like some ebon--
7 Army the usual preliminaries, the legacies clad statue, yet so gloriously radiant was'she)
r \ g were announced, in the pink flush of health and youth, die was:
, To my; Amy a generous income; to Wi'nnio left alone with Mr; Gordeloup. The servants
St. Cyr, five thousand dollars; to Harry Gorder had thrown open the western windows, and a.
I 10 , and Lum- Almley, each three thousand narrow spear of molten sunshine slanted '

do for their duties as executors. athwa’t her Purple‘bhck hair, and Win!) a" ‘
Tom mugs, each a thoughtful rémem. band of beauty,vover her white throat and
, hm; so a charitable. institute,- the Proceeds adown her breast—until,'hindered by the cross

of the sale of certain real estate, oil a gothic-backed chair that stood just before
> , And then—with clear, high, slowly enunci- hart. the sunbg‘am Stopped, as it were, un-
r‘ r ated voice, Lawyer Margrave read: Willing to 80 urther; and the place where it I

“And to Miss Lillian Rothei‘mel, who has paused was on her breast—just where‘the
this day promised to be my wife, 1193" the{ blood-red spot had marked Mr. Claverin ’s
sum of fivevthousand dollars yearly, and the doom. She shivered and ’moved out of
,. used my town house and appurtenances so ' 112113, then, looked up to see Harry G‘ordeloup
' " . long as she lives—if, under any peculiar cir- standing, with folded arms and steady-set
‘ cumstances, I fail to keep my agreement. , 11% directly before her. '
«h, we“; of om- miaga, she Wm receive She never moved a muscle of her glorious
_ all ‘therresidne of my props , which, other. taco; not a tremor of the eyelids, nor a hur-
:'.;,,wise, will be disposed 0: follows,” eto.’ ried heaving of her bosom;- but she met him
etc. \ , I, sacs t: 13;, dongs-13h; ifirst time since the 
v A  gendered b ' succeeded ay 5 e seen , 31: 3 very room, when , '5:
this ennoimiz’cement; and {hmfig slowly. to she was on her way to tell the other she would
her feet, Lillian stared at. the lawyer. ,' V be his wit with as calm a'glance' as though it
'4‘ M'm—tor me! '  you not mistaken! hi“! been . 'Alnnley, or any other acquaint-
Surely I had no idea—I do not deserve this.” m , C
\ ‘ .

 

 

 

 ./

 

 

.«f’WenP’ he said, at length, never moving
IS gaze from her face. I  J
“ You think it is well, then, Mr. Gordeloupl
.1 do not.” ' ‘ ' , '
I 1“(Ede-smiled other; not theeortof smile she
e ,

“Youdonot! Iwumistahen; pnrdonme.‘

.Isupposedsinoeyouhad'reoeivedyour
Price-J \ .
“ Be still i” '
, She stamped her
"ed on her cheeks.
». - . “Why should I hestilll” he wanton, unheeds
‘ 1118 her wrath. “Once I asked you to have
mercy on me, and you would not; now I must
 “ be still,’ forsooth, because I remind you that
lyouare’ a rich woman after all, and yet not
Edward Clavering’s wife.” .,
He was so strange, so heartless; Idllian, with
,all her wrath, could see that, and she wondered
whether, after all—
“Will you congratulate me! I will forgive

Meningeal-

yOu if you do.”
She had her anger, and extended
her hand in her olden, Witching way, look

ing into him eyes so earnestly. ,
“ Congratulate you? that you have your
a money? and that Mr. (Havering is dead! The
 _ former, certainly."
And he walked out, never as much as no-
ticing her hand that was still extended.
She drew a long, gasping breath, and
Went slowly up-staire.

CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE NET.

 

Irseemedtheeasiestofallthingstormllian.
Bothermel to glide into the position of misc ,
trees of Fernleigh; Miss Amy, fond and cling— ' . .
,loup, there never had been the 

lug, preferred that she should do her own will,

and the servuz proud of her beaut and
a, y ; answer, on the day of Winnie’s arrival. mew,

grace, obeyed her wishes to the letter.

The week after the funeral the house Was ?
‘ conversation with Harry, and Harry‘s  -'
‘ affairs as concerning them both, the   '

L. i Opened and aired; Lillian assumed her position
behind the comic-urn, and ‘the new life at
Fernleigh seemed to he inaugurgted without an'
Effort. 6 " ,

Harry Gordeloup had gone back to his busi-
ness; and without a word of mile to any one.

 Winnie, now that the Florestans re still a}
the White Mountains, was obliged to stay; and
her visit was the morengreeehle because Lester
Alvanley had left Fernleigh. - r '

 Not that he went to remain away; Lillian ‘
' had taken good care of that, and had told him,-

 at parting, of Mr. Clavering’a wish; pilomjsing,
herself, the dOWer to Winnie, out of her own
 abundance, that Mr. (Clairol-in: would have
,f.  Q,“ l ' ‘.  H
T 4 "Naturally, Lester ,Alyinley was delighted.
7 He loved Winnie, and intended to nee all his
Powers of persuasion until she consented; per-
haDfl, it occurred to him, if she could not be

~ A f” , ,

anamnrn'nornvnv’  ”

 

 

wwyev-V. 17—5. ‘ e-

prevailed upon,ehe might be taughtthere 
no alternative. " y ' I

I said Inster'AlYeuley‘maIly loved'Wimm
Sta Cy'r; yet it)?” a thoroughly selfish ion
he bore, her, for he was a thoroughly selfish
man. Not’that he would ever have permitted
Winnie, through hisinnttention or neglect, tube
on unhappywiie; yethewonld'mem to _
make her hiswife that,"ln hem-elves, might
distress her greatly. _. ,   

Soho bade her adieuat my, not Calling
herhewastobellise _ -
Sunday during the and noise much an
whispering a word of love toher. ’ ‘

He had noticed the  inher-
manner, as well as personal appearance, those
last dreadful days; he had seen the sudden
nervous starting—the restless, preoccupied air,
and. the quick palings and flushings if we
entered the room abruptly.’  " ‘

While Harry GordeIOup'hnd  nt ‘ .
Fernleigh, Wizmie had kept her  '
 often satwith her. ‘ ‘ 1 " '

Afterward, she came down-stairs 
and seemed less  although a 
settled sorrow seemed toenwrap herinazloeln
of unspeakable density. \ ~

The days passed very quietly at Fairleigh;
Miss Amy keeping her room nearly all the
time; Winnie and Lillian walking while 
days were pleasant, and reading when indooii.
No guests were invited save Hr. AlvauIey, and ‘
the calls of condolence were nonmade. The
opportunity had not yet, in Miss Bother-mere
opinion, arrivedwhen she decided it 
to have a plain understanding with Winnie Nu "
garding Lester Alvanley. So far as 1mm
herself was concerned in Winnie’s later main
connection with the affairs of Harry Gorda-

spoken, except that remark and its beseechin‘g
Lilliim astutely judged that, by opening the

very near Winnie’s heart. I,  J ,
It was perfectly well known to Lillian
Rothermel that Winnie still loved my;
despite his treatment of her.‘ Lillian 
had no idea. of loving Mr. Alvanley, and m
tore she knew her task was no cayona‘ j »‘
But she had. determined that 
not in Winnie; that W? Alvmley .
should; and with a sort of defiant smile either 1.
lips, she went down from her room into the
bright, breezy parlor, Where she  she
shouldfindher. , , g ' ~-
Winnie was sitting in the oriel winde, a
pleoeot gayworst‘ed work lying idly'in her
fingers, and her’eyee Mug Earout overtime
breed stretch of sunny woodland and meadows.
There was thesamo restlessness in her-eyes“ ,I
had come there that never‘to-be-forgotten w;

 

 

 

WP}T""W“V“V"’"“rye/‘yf‘fx;  .AWJ on” ..

m H .‘ .r .y .y/

the same pale look under the eyes, and around
the mouth, that Lester Alvanley had seen.
She smiled, however, when Lillian drew a

I low rocking-chair opposite her. -

«.“I came down purposely for a nice confi
dential talk, Winnie. I 'don’t have any one to
conversewith but you nowadays.”

.v There was a touch of quiet  in
Lillian’s tones that made Winnie’s heart go out
to her.

“And I’m sure there is no one who so cordi—
allysym thiaes with you. Lillian.”
. image you lmew Mr. Claverlng so well,
or—or—pardon me, Winnie, because we both

knew Harry flordeloup so well?”

A gray color slowly gathered on
,Winnie’s cheek; how she dreaded to talk about
mwhat tearful memories rose up at. the
sound of his name!

“Because, Winnie,” Lillian went on, ma

sweet,- deprecating voice, “I know I never
deserve .tobe pitied by you, unless I am first

sure you have forgiven me. Sometimes I
wonder how I could be so crue .”

n “It .m for the best, perhaps.” Winnie

" a felt constrained to make some sort of answer,

but she hardly knew what she was saying.
.~ “ Nail; was not. It was a wicked wrong I
 you, Winnie, but it has all come back to
no, andny Winnie, can marry Harry and
be. happy.” '
' .She made the venture, watching its effects
from under her droopingeyelids.

“Harry Harry Gordeloupi Never, if I

could—9’

She had almost screamed out the words, and
there came a fierce ht in her blue eyes as
the thought of him. n she hesitated, and,
With the silence, came a dull, horrid agony

around her heart.

. f‘ No? Forgive me it I wounded you. I
might have known you were a woman in heart,
if a girl in years. And a woman never takes

‘ backa lover who has trampled on her.”,

Oh! what knite«blades were those words of
hers; so deliberate and cruel. They were true,
too,“ Winnie knew; Harry Gordeloup had

. trampled; on her, and, Heaven help her, she

Weldd. have taken him back with her open
 and torgiven and. forgotten everything,
were it not that she believed him guilty of a
tar verse sin. .

“Winnie, shall you go back to'the Flores-
tansl" r I
' comingafter the highly wrought

" train at thought, was a relief to her.

“Certainly. What else should I do! I
would not remain at Fernloigh.”
g “ You would be welcome, I’m sure—or.
rather at’myaolty“ residence, where I’shall
pmhahlygoon the firstotOOtOber. I asked.
beam-Iliad“: vague sci-tot idea'that you
would—g-wculdn" ' .

A DAUGBTER or ave.

*Alvanley married.” ’

 

   

She paused. and glanced at Winnie’s face.
“Well, what, Lillian?”  . 
“ I do not know that. I ought to mention it; s
but, then, you know it was the dearest hope of
Mr. Clavering’s heart to have you and Mr. '

A little curl of amusement crept to Winnie’s
lips; then her face darkened; she remembered
how she had Spoken on that subject the last '1
time she had seen Mr. Clavering alive. 

“I could not have done it  Mr. Clevering
lived. Now, there is less reason for such a "_,
distasteful step.” ,

“Then you really dislike Mr. Alvanley so, 
Winnie? I think he isworthy of your aflec- 
tions." . ‘ v

“ Perhaps he is; but I do not,er him at all.
There is the gentleman new.” '

Lillian arose from her seat, uttering a little
exclamation of well-feigned surprise. .

“Why it is Mr. Alvanleyl”  she went to j
the front entrance to meet him.

As rapidly as she hastened to leave the
parlor before he came in, Winnie was not in
time to avoid seeing him. Distasteful at any.
time, his presence was peculiarly so now after, .
Lillian’s remarks. ,

Ignoringher distant coolness, Mr. Alvanley ‘
came on toward her with extended hand.

“Don‘t be in a hurry, was Winnie! I
assure you I am glad to see you.” ,

‘ She suffered him to shake hands, and mur-
mured some inaudible words.

Mr. Alvanley was slow to release her, and
motioned toward the sofa near, the ‘ bay
window. ' .

“I came down to Fernleighpurposely toask

an interview; youlwill grant it, Winnie?”
‘ Could he ' mean anything in reference to
Harry’s guilt? Her cheek blanched at the
thought; yet, how could he know what was
locked in her bosom?”

“ You surely know why II came. to Fernleigh -
at all, Winnie. Had you not been here, I
should not have-come, then or now. As it is,
Winnie, why should you not know I desire to
have you for my wife, ’whom I love so fondly,
so truly! Winnie, think of it; remember how
Icanlittyouto ease and luxury; remember I.
have waited so long. Need I wait longer?”

He had remained standing before her, his
eyes steadily regarding her varying features.
Then, When he had paused, she answered, and-
denly, vehemently: '

“No! no! Mr. Alvanley, it can never be,
under any circumstances.” ' l -

She rose up to go out of the room, but he---
caught her bythearm.‘ , .

“ Think of it, Winnie—for Harry’s label”

h—n—I-

 

.Jj

 

 

CHAPTER  '
run saonnnon. , I
WINNIE” started at those suggestive words;

her eyes fairly dilated with terror as she stop.

ped suddenly still, and with her tongue cleav-
 tq her mouth, essayed to speak.
I

‘For’ Han-11’s sake!’ ‘Why for his sake,

Mr. Alvanley i” .

How she shivered for dread of the answer,
as she still looked her lover in the eyes.

A belt of gloom darkened Mr. Alvanley’s

’ face; he leaned forward in a mysteriously con-

. ., fldential way that of itself drove her half
, crazy."

. “Had you no idea, poor child! Did you not

~- know that Mr. Gordeloup was seen coming out
of Mr. Clavering’s room about the hour of

, that fatal night when the deed must lmve been

I done?” .

Oh! that low, insinuating voice! How Win-
nie wanted to crush it out, with its vile suspi-
cionsl. ‘

‘ “ Who saw him-who saw him?” ,,

. ' Her eager, trembling tones betrayed her
anxiety even more than the rapidly-repeated
Question. _ .

“‘ That I may not answer. Sufice it that a
member of, the household, whose word can be
depended on, saw him; and, Winnie, every one

of us who were present, observed and remark-
ed his strange, uneasy deportment.”

His eyes were growing merciless, his voice
hard and reaping.

“And you want me. to be your wife be-
cam_"_39

She couldn’t bring herseli to utter those

' words that had heifer yet passed her lips.

“ I think you, fully comprehend me, Winnie.
I have the power to bring Harry Gordeloup to
justice, or to have the affair left as it is new.
You can SaVe him; for your sake he can go
free, instead of to a murderer’s scaflold.”

There came a piercing scream from Win-
nie as she put her hands before her eyes, as it
,to shut out some fearful specter. '

' “0h, Mr. VAlvanley, have mercy! have
mercy! " Remember he is a fellowbeing, whose
life is so precious to lumwas much as yours or
mine i", _ ' 7 . , 7

“Do you also  me to remember how
you loved him,"’onee,upon ntimei” ‘

‘ “If it will Samoa, remember how I love
him still!” , ' . .

She spoke almoat defiantly, and Mr. Alvan.
ley opened his eyes, in utter armament, be-
fore he answered. a

"‘ What .9" . , .r 

“ Yes, I do, as I never lowed any we hater-e,
or silver will ' l” t '

6 Then I infer that you will do any thins in

* ~ your power to save him?” .

_ ' Her cheeks blanched 33am-

 

; DAUGHTER-0F nv’n.‘ , ' v. ' '1":

I “lean not marry youi'e-how can i, ‘when’ l v

don’t care for you?" _

“Nonsense! ,. I love you, and you will learn ‘

to love me;;besidee, you willjhavethe con»
scioasness 'of benefiting Maui ; 1 . ; 7 
Just then Miss Bothermel‘ ’ ' and as

she entered, fresh, cooland  poor  .1 

rushed   , ,, -¢ ‘ I, 1/
The two exchanged significant gm .
“ Well?” asked Lillian. ' ~ I  » -

He shook his head, yet not    y
the air of of manwho meant  indi» ’ 

catch , . .
“I do not think you neelho Waited.

Iknoevshewillnotmarryh fimfi. 
n 1  ." .

to-day, to' my

“Without knowing you hi! can _ y-  ,, 

out of the room?”  "

“Yes-—~at least I  '

it. Why should she?” ,

“Very true. Lillian,   \

verydwy"

vent showmemy room? Iam’

.He went upstairs, and 

Winnie at her door, that wood My

toadmitoithepaesageotsma  -» "

giving her.

Thenhewentontohk‘mfmm 

ins who the letter was from. r:  r -.

And Winnie, locking her door,  1,5. . 

kissing the unconscious paper with such pas-t

sionate kisses that you wmfidnhthnve believed . 9'
her capable of such emotion; than, when she .

had caressed it with a‘ touching. tenderness, she

opened Harry Gordaloup’s lemwlormhim 

it was. . V

It bogan simply,'“W1nnie;u  ,. I I-”

ing, impatient eyes, not content in  the

letter in a sensible way, glanced  ' '
,  my
I,

downhand the chance words, ‘ love,
own,” “ Once again,” “unworthy,” “

and the subscription; “your; an am  

may but be,” told the story. ' ' "i

Yes, from the depths of his filmml’and  
grief, Harry had written to he: whomhe  " V 
once loved, for" balm to bind. his hrokenitheawgr:  ~51

How, she‘cried- fleroe'sobbing  V  V   e ’,
tee, not more for: the impotent love  » 
him, than for the blood that  hands '

—-the very  had  tiresome”
words. ’  - ; Y , r-   ‘
Her whole soul weutont in one MM

ing forhim; wohm'fiwth' heme been  i

to her, much as she  his take.“

.Buttit never c‘ould he;

life was in her, hands!

nower he have   twin ;,
'deedi:‘“Andshefeltaflereehatz-ed for some. ‘

  seen him; but, she  him,
 she could'kilihimifshe nowhere}. ,-

For an hour she sat there, reading   ii

 

_ . .  or tie j  
thought wassirnply aurivfui‘;~ Bury- hnd laid his  “’
heart at her feet again, Wedreunuug his vary I

 

 

 

 

 

is ' ‘ ' 7a panama or nvn

 

reading hisletter; then she hastily wrote. an
answer, not trusting herself for a second writ-
ut‘ - mm“ name”? "

3 ve on
gafiw you  to it. I can "
V Sheseehditanddirectedit,andsentit oi!
A by thegifl, ,teai'tul lest she should recall it.

5 ‘Then she wentdowmdresaed elaborately, for
dinnen. is, -

Mr. Alsanley was leaning against the door-

t. '

I Shemfiuphflqandlaidherhand onhis
_~ sledge, “11131061 in his 0y. with her deep,
 intense ones. . 1 '
‘I‘Iaeoeptfiha To save Harry, I
will marry you.”
V A quick»ng 0t 10! irradiated his fea-

tures. ,
v ,-  “Xuiwlllnever‘ tenet it: he is sacredly
. «falswurtoyou, fromthis hour.”
' . ‘ There Werenoldmee, no passionate glances
' _-.ot shipment; onlyaslight pressure of her
.littleslemierhandflhatheknewheoouldcrush
with hisblesp. ‘ ‘
a  wasWinnie St. cm betrothall
 whorhyedsqwho nfleredeqandwhpen-
; g  y x .
two m
TummailthatcarriedWinnieStOyr’s
refusal to HarryGordeloup, brought him a let-
He was whiling away the slow-dragging
hours in his 9300, vainly striving to concen-
tratehis thoughtson the plans that” lay before
when bin oflice—boy came tearing in,
 anggthsew the. two dainty missives on his
. er ta ,
. It “JillianBothermel’s’flne Italian hand
that caught its eye first, and a great lump
came in his th'mat despitethe fact that the

———

' x

was, an answer to an ofler of marriage.

Poor fellowl, be had been so guilty and sin.
ningyhiimelf, that the being sinned againstwas
 V derto bear

 

feeling [the mad» m as passion, when he

remembered  Bothermel’s
bewty. ,.
But that aftermon, after he had looked
hisofllce-door, and thrust rule and sheetout
of sight, Barry Gordeloup sat down delib-
fizi-ateiyto mites: and to this tumult within
m. ‘ '
. Not that he regretted oflering hilnself anew
to Winnie; or that he had been rejected by
Lillian; it was simply to put away from' him
such conflicting thoughts. '
So he looked long and earnestly at the letters,

'r. itching

and then, drawing a leng breath, of relief

almost, it eemed to him, he laid his hand
gently, tenderly on Winnie’s. .

“I will leave my destiny in her hands. She
may have spoken. the word that will make
a better man, and God willing, a happier
man of me; she may have bade, me never
again address her—still I will never, again
have anght to do with Lillian Rothermel—
never again.” . 

After that, his mind was settled; at once
'and for all. such dispositions as his-have great
struggles for principle “and duty, but when they
have once won, no mortal hand. can wrest their

80 Hairy tore open Winnie’l‘ letter, with a
strong, steady hand, though his heart was beat-
ing faster than was its wont. ,

Heread it all, to the end,andthenlaidit

down; a still, mlm solemnity on his the

features. , , J

“It is just—I acknowledge it; But after
my foel— Good Heavens! I wonder how
I dare offer myself to her—but 11—10%»—
heri” . g

A flush had crept over his face; that, 115311
to a dead-white shade as he made that tax.“ .-r,
extenuating excuse. Y

He put her letter in his breast—pocket, and
then opened Lillian’s, half-disdainfully. '

It was very short and hastily penciled. ‘

“Whig-you come to Fertile h to the weddiz e;—

Lester vanle ’s and Winnie t. Cyr'sl Iwisn 0h
would——the first week in September. ' ' ‘ y
' “mu--

His eyes hardly obeyed the will that made
them read those words. His head waspl'rl-
ing round and roun 'and his "brain  '.ld
admit of but the one ea, that Winnie would
not marry him, even although she loved ’3 .im.

Then be crushed down the anguish. ' He -

would go to the wedding, certainly. He could
just as well go as not, and he wanté-i. to ask
Winnie what it all meant, and show Lillian how
lost her power was over him. . ,
He grew ‘quite savage with this ’ tifull
false bra’very, and thrusting Lillian’s' tter‘ n

Jig, uthe waste-basket, he strode out ‘ into the

lengthening shadows of that dayghe hj Waited

‘0"? e. mm 'm

  

"1»er -rmmmmxm N1. cw :3. 1,. «

" ’ range itselt. Winnie made no demnr, for she

 

CHAPTER XVII; moron, her mtehleee when. Shelled
, m WEDDING-0mm , I
.. v, MR ALVANLEY had (1885?“ “ii Lillian had : vet chair, and them Harry was notingthe
_eecondedit,endss.shewestomr himeome one“, , ~ . ., ,
tlme,‘Winnie thought, what did a few weeks in In truth be was; but with for difierent tool: ..
ptmatteri In fact, the sooner she was Lester’- mggthafimgavehimmitfm.. .. w
valvanley’s wife the m theme be of
Haggis? Natl-l . ted. m l and more. ~
 8 9 W65“! 00119” _ “1 enmment : And Lillian, twisting her white 
V oratortnight SbehodlmownLestersolong, j fingers, was so certain hem-waiting for e
 as; Lillian  that there “‘3 not the word to bring him to her feet-again. She

 

‘2 least impropriety in, the sudden mmiase The ? never yet had failed in' such a teak, end why -

1 Atrom mu“ b9 "‘7 Phi“: find the Wedde 1 should she now! V
g' “FY (Niall—merely 3 0053? W335 m the ‘ She never had really loved e man in her
WW3:tie ceremony, 01‘ account 0‘ the recent ’ life save this handsome Berry Gondola».
bereavement The!) a tour to Niagara and the 1 Ambition had not drowned that love.- .Ithed
gymnasium on at their new house m i only set it lightly aside. Could not the some
8 ..
8013mm mead“, armored it to ar- accomplish the second 50, with a Mom
had no Rhos-dislike tor enyot Miseflothor-l
mel’s plans. ‘ him back. .
fillinmverygmvointhourewhysotl ushehsdbuthnownl r r,
preparationondanyonoeominglnloddenly A ‘ . 
.goponherwoizldflndthetemsgioemingon-her l v
. eyelashes, and see her lips quivering us it from ' CHAPTER XVIII.
egreht inward agony. A m’s SOOBN.
AndWinnie pltied her, nndboggod hex-tel
spare herself the sight of the wedding gar- ' tion of Lillian Rothermel’s bend, and, by intui-
ments, when Lillian’s own by still nnworn in tion, he felt she was going to probe his heart.
he! . ordmhe. , l with her delightful arts; He rteeled himeelt to’
 Lillian only brushed the tears any, and lt—and so the aflray began.
an id faintly. ‘ ‘ You received my letter—when!”
5:136” Winnie was so considerate, so kind!
' lint  must be permitted to do her duty, nie.
.ever'lif it almost crucified her.” Lillian raised her eyebrows a trifle: I, .
, fed poor “eonedei-ete" Winnie telt the . “Indeed! I was not aware she had written;
 lapse on that ended all her life at the her time isso fully occupied now.” /

 tint began a never-ending lee-

turned her head toward him, resolved to win

. b; thud written to the Florestam, end had only he hardly dared.
recalled their manned oongrstuhtions, and .
a rhytul, halt-vexed appeal as to why she; Fernleigh seems so lonely now, and one’s dear—
v not married Hurry Gordeloupi Ah, estfriends are so welcome.” ‘ :_ , k .
 . _ 4. Harry would not, notice the dreamy 100k
Then, the day beta. the wedding, Entry in her eyes, and the music in her voice; he

cameao Winnie’s  anguish,~ surprise. tipped oareleeslyyback in hit  g I  '

Fox eaten had said nowoe'd until she brought replied. .. l.  . .o
thefifli together in maria. “I would not for the world]  ,seenig
l» a“?  very gravely, and Winnie married, after what haspessedbetween
m )

, .Wfliélie'fi l hetero i shrunk us. . _ _ p p
‘ away?" ethough 3’“ V the guilty party, He gave thethint purposelyflhllllan wssmt v
and 1&5: " . slow to improve upon'it. _ z _: y ,7 

Then?“ lam some everyday “I differ with you, Ear-mm. Gordeloupea. ,
Wm!“ '_ Winnie. to utter s.‘ word no, Iwill say Berry mean I!” x 7 
now  until she .‘ vered achence to “Oh, certainly. What were yon [about to .
mtreetf:  ' remark? o~ , I ;

Mr. y lounged out under the aims, “That I would not want to witnesathelm.

“5.58%? and Ullmim alone; he stern, ridge of one I hed loved; it would km mg, I,

the  sowling; she so dander and radiant, yet think—I know it would. But. you ‘mmtt my

 fiend—dammed. . , added, utters pause, ‘ are so fickle, so forget.
"See who wearing deep mourning; not a tint ml.”

{ - ll" tnrelieve the somberness that set 01!.

 

A'hhoohrhn orvevn‘ ' V. K ' Will

l leaned her exquisitexhead against the green vol; I

skilled hand that had wrought the first love"
bloom upon her cheek, Lillian Rothemol

HARRY Gonmmour saw that graceful _. g _

._' the-flit; ., .31

“But yesterday week, with one from .Win- I
n I _ 'l

“Yes; that would naturauybethe'eaee.” f _  '
He felt like snapping hiswordssherter yet, 7 

“I am glad you came down—oeryklod. 7

      

"who you think eor’heeeldwlth e  "

He felt he was hating her momentarily  . ' ' 

 

an

to

secrete! force; “I assure you men canlove as
‘ women W can, and—” ' ‘
Hestopped short, flushing a little; and Lil-
' lien, her hot blood all fired with his negligent
grace, his strong beauty, and the remembrance
of what had been, went over to him, and laid
her ‘white, trembling hand on his arm. '

“Tell me that again, Harry! Tell me such
men a." you can not only love, but forgive, for-
get, and'love again! Oh, Harry! Harry! can
I ever atone?” ‘
. She was so beautiful; her tender, moist
eyes and varying cheeks; her rare, red lips
apart, and her hands lying, warm, importu‘r
note, on his own.

.Waa it a wonder Harry Gordaloup reveled‘
in his glorious triumph? Was it strange he
felt a wild thrill of exultaut joy that this regal
» mature was suing to him? .

r 119 suifered asinile to play on his lips; but
Lillian, her keen eyes clouded with tears, her
whole armor of penetration and defense cast

, aside for the garments of love wherewith she

 hadzclothed herself, did not read it aright.

{‘Then you’ll take me backyagain, Harry?
and I’m not ashamed to plead for myself, to
, you. You said ‘men can love as well as wo-
men,‘ Harry, ‘and—’ and then you stopped.
What were you going to sayi—‘-‘ forgivei’ ”

V'How strangely humble she was; how per-
teetiy it became her; but Harry’s heart steeled
under it all. '

Then he suddenly flung her entreating hands
away. I

“ ‘Forgivei’ No! I would have said ‘ hate,
despise, scorn?” '

. His low, hard voice came hissing to her
' wondering ears. \Bhe bent her royal head a

moment, as if doubting the evidence of her

' senses; she swayed to and fro an instant, and
then the motion changed to a writhe of bodily

agony, ,keener than she could endure.

Then, like a. lightning-flash, she drew her
slender figure to'its utmost hight; her eyes
gleamed with 'a' steely frigidity; tiny purple
specks dotted her face, and a pale blackness
gathered around the corners of her lips.

“ I never shall forget this. Triumph in
your petty revenge, but remember, the day
Shall come when you will writhe in my grasp,

curse this hour 1”

‘ , Harry smiled contemptuously, and swun
round on his heel to meet Winnie who 
come down, hoping to escape to the garden

from the oppressive heat of the house. ‘

“Winnie, I am going with you, may I?
0111 a moment.” . ,

tterly ignoring Lillian’s presence, he saun-

' A phoneme or  A

 

tiered beside her, glancing at Winnie, who was
flutteriug‘along,-dreading lest he should men-
tion his offer and her refusal, which were the i
very first words he spoke. 3
3‘ Why did you do it, Winnie? I dare not ~

l I

‘/f ~ ,

say ‘Winnie  as myJJeart prompts me 

to, but why, it you still love me, will you '
marry Lester Alvanleyi’" > . v

He would have taken her hand, but she
shrunk away. I ’ 7 . ,
’ “Ob, Harry, doom I can’t tell you—be
assured it is all for the best! indeed, indeed,'it
is for the best-l” and she darted away and ran
weeping to her room! ._ _ ' v .
How could he be guiltyF—that honest-eyed
man who had been so pityingly looking at her!
And yet not only she, but another witness had
seen him!‘ How her heart was crushing, cmsh-
ing under that (n'uel weight/t '

_——..

CHAPTER XIX. »
rim FATAL MESSAGE.

 

 

Tn Wedding had been, as Lillian intended, .

very quiet and quite aristocratic; Winnie had
been very lady-like and gentle, and Ir. Alvau—
ley jubilant and proud. _ -

Harry Gordeloup had staid ‘ot Femleigh,
with a sort "of stubborn delight, and Lillian
was obliged to comport herself in a manner
worthy her position.  ;

They had exchanged no  save those
of common courtesy, and whenthe Meal party
departed, Harry went with-them sofas: as
New York, where they bade adieu. ,

Those days at Fernleigh had been almost
nnendurabie to Lillian Rothermel, since Harry
Gordeloup had so signally triumphed over her; '
and not only defeated hero-41m! the might
have borne—but she had been  on,
into the very dust. ‘ 

Her pride was outraged; her love utterly
killed; her wrath fired; and Harry little recited
of the fiendish ' revenge she would one day
wreak on him.

He went back to'the dull manor once stage:

with Winnie Alvanley’s haunting face always
floating before him; with a consciousness of
utter loneliness, because there was not, in all

this world, one woman whose eyes would -- '

brighten at his aperch, at whose lips he
might claim a lover‘svhu. . ‘ ,
He had always bdaused ,to that sort of
thing; he had been tcp impressionable net to
have found many mes among the man
pretty girls whovfieeted him with-then.-
smiles. ' .7 ' v ' ‘
But, now, there were none worth wasting a .
thought over; he  from flower‘to

flower, in a' ' ' 1: 'wa an, in lainer '
words, Harry  an egregious mtg—and
now, the only flower he wanted he could not
have.  Ea '. a ‘ ' >
So he went to W34 said, very loneliiy,
and resolvedto wed W to his business.

He was all the better for this trial that came-

5 upon him; generally such tribulations refine

us and purify us, and never come when they’re 

5
3



 

 

not needed, unwelcome as they seem; unwel-,
., comeastheym. . > J
 whileer was working am, honestly“
v stnvmg to wean himself from all remain"
‘ ' bra-noes of Winnie Alvanl’ey, she and husband
“' were abroad on their wedding tour-over the
' Very ground she had once arranged to travel
With Harry when they should be married; and
the only comfort of her life, as she endured on
_ mid on, was that she was entering of her own
' W111 for ktm I
All through sunny September the bridal pair
jimmeyed and tarried; Lillian Rothsrmel
thought and sehemedand racked her brain for

a way topunish Harry Gordeloup; and Harry,

grown saddened and strengthened through

'stlilfiering, was, perhaps, the happiest of them
.. a .

i That is. in a certain sense, as regarded
_ Winnie and himself; but, when he thought of
. Lillian Rothermel, and from her to Edward
' Clavering, he would sometimes dash his pencil
on the floor, and pace restlesst to and fro,
his breathseeming to come in spasmodic jerks.
He dreamed about it, too, and lived it all
over again, that dreadful night of nights; he
I remembered how sultry it- had been all day,
r= and| how suddenly, wind had arisen about one
. o’clock. He remembered Lillian Bothermel’s
. * witching loveliness as she came flying. down-
stairs in waiver to the wild alarm the servant
had given, with her little bare, dimpled feet,
and her hair streaming over her shoulders and
' bosom. Then he grew soul—sick, and forcibly
‘ blinded memory’s eyes to the picture he had
conjured.

October, with its light frosts and sunny
 nouns, saw. Mr. and Mrs Alvanley settled in
1* their new heme—a fine mannon that Lester

_' had built {or speculation and then reserved for
1 his own use. ’ E ‘
It was furnished most completely through-
at, and had Winnie loved her husband, she
would have been pertectly delighted andcon-
tented. r

<:.,;_ w, wwm'v‘

  
   
   
  
   
 
   
 
    
  
 
 
 
   

‘i As it was, she compelled herself to bequietly
satisfied; to her husband she was always re-
' spectful and kind, yet she never could forget
. . the price he had demanded of her for another.
 To her numerous callers she was the ele-
' gent, courteous Hrs. Alvanley, whom they
went away admiring and not infrequently
.‘envyingl ' “ -- 
‘ Before her guests, dear Miss Amy Clevering
and Lillian Bother“. from Fernleigh, she
 attempted no disguises; she was shnply hele
' Wk, heart-sore woman, trying to be

g.

I brave. ,
And she was brave, with a heroic time
many a man might well he legions of; y
: brave, going on'in her self-elected path.

 

  

Her husband loved her, enter his selfish

 

ADAUoHrss'orEvs. , . ' ' . ’ ' 21
glad people admired her.‘ She wasundoubted- r

ly refined and stylish, and though frigid to an; - ,
unheard-or degree, still Lester Alvanley was ~

very proud to introduce her--“ My wife, Mrs.
Alvanley.” ' ' ,

She found no fault at all. And then, one o!
the bright Christmas holidays, a. sudden and
came. . .

Mr. Alvanley had gone'with a friend on a
business tour to Europe, and had been mddenly

seized with a terrible disease—the mall-pox— 1

then raging in London. Both he and his friend

died, and were buried, and word sent home to N‘ ' '

their widows. ,
It was a fearful shock; not for~lovePs cake,
but because of the suddenness of it. v  " -

Mrs. Alvanley and Lillian had been amt/g ‘
alone in the drawing-room when the telegram 3

from London to Mr. Alvanley’s partner came.
It was brief, and so heartlem. Whenever
was a telegram otherwise? ' ,

“Mr. Lester Alvanl died this morning ofsmmé’
pox. Will be buried ngrrow.” '

That was all. But Winnie read and re-read

it with fascinated eyes, and then, drawings, '_

long, troubled breath, that quivered and ' flut-
tered, like a. wounded bird, as it escaped her
pale lips, she began to cry—the first tents 

had shed since she had written that letter to "

Harry Gordeloup. 0b, a thousand years,

slack, it seemed. “ -

Lillian snatched up the paper, Winnie’s _

nerveless fingers had let' drop, and a. second
glance told her the news. '

She murmured some inarticulate 
Some awful, passionate words, that wouldrhave
curdled Winnie’s blood, had she heard them,
andtbenshethrewherarms around thew“-
owed wife’s neck, and whispered comfort: v ',

 

CHAPTER xx.

a nova-Larrnn. - »'

'l‘nosn days of Winnie Alvanley’l (

hood would have been the happiestsbe had a}?
Gerda-"r

perienced since the time she and Harry
loup had been lovers, were it not for the ems »»
haunting fact of the motive that had madeherfr
what she was. " ' .- 5
Itwasaeorrow thathad grown tobeaset-
tled- trouble, and a cloud over her, never to be-

lifted, for by what atonement of his ownoould
his hands be éleansed of bloodl, . '   _.
bitterly, during the six mouth that had 7- .
elapsed since Inster’e death, Winnie had been '
fearful lest that others, whom her husband had ‘ '

never mentioned, who also knew of Ra -‘ '
guilt, Would bring the afl'air to notice. 0
it was, she lmew not how to aséertai‘n, and no
the old fear came back heavily as even,” ’"

Harry Gerdeloup had called several times on '

her since her husband’s death, but she had per.
sistently refused to see him, and then 1mm.

    
 

; l .1’. / . " ‘1
' ~ " y‘ 'A . ' l a

. * L K

 

 

 

sly e’vinc,
, Lillian iilntgndedlthey should. ,

sincel knew you,” Winnie had

"flushed

22 v " ADAUGETEB or m} '  a —‘

~ .4:

 

name other own weakness, lest she might be
persuaded, she clutched gladly at the idea
thatshe and Mia AmyClavering, and Lillian,
shouldlu-avel for a year on the Continent.

So it had been hastily arranged, apparently;

V though Lillian Rothermel might have told how

she had concluded that the best plan to prevent
the possibility of renewed friendship between
Harry and Winnie would be to effectually sep-
araie them for a long time; not that she had
any lingering hopes of herself winning Harry

', Gordeloup, but that she was resolved Winnie
. should'not. ‘

The elegant mansion on Fourteenth street
was closed, and the party sailed for England,

V getting on as far as Switzerland in the early

autumn, where they proposed remaining sev-
eral weeks.
‘ Lillian Rothermel had grown to be the lead«

,ingmember ot the little party. She is was
who gave the orders, arranged for the walks,

and advised Miss Amy and Winnie when they

' had better remain indoors.

,She was very thoughtful of Winnie’s com-

' fert, until Winnie had fully come to believe

her best friend was Lillian Bothermel, after
all, though she never was quite reconciled to

l ’ her first wrong-doing in taking Harry from
’ ' ' Sometimes she felt her heart steeling againda

Lillian Rathermel; then she reproached her-
self, for; the kindnesses Lillian was so constant-
toward her disarmed her, just as

 often went’out alone; and both the
ladies at home remarked, more than once, at

exuberant flow of spirits and the warm,
' rich color that the mountain air gave her.

~ Lillian would laugh. and thank them for
their graceful compliments.

Quietly, evenly, the year of absence went
on; and when Winnie sat down in her own

' arlors once more, with her mourning robes

 3119 concluded it had not been alto-

. unpleasant. She wesat Fernleigh often,
‘as‘the genial spring days came on space;

where,» at yore, Lillian reigned power su-

prema -

“You, are looking better than ever before
one day re—
marked to Miss Bothermel, who was sitting

thoughtfully in the library, with an open letter ‘

-—~a toreig'n one «before her. ,
, “Yes; I feel better than before our tour.
Crossing the ocean is generally beneficial, I be-

 lieve.” "

USheqaokeinadreamysortofwsy, neither
thoughts had returned over the water.

I A mint little smile cameto Winnie’s lips,
and 9 pointed significantly to the letter. A
, deep crimson mounted Lillian’s face;
and the instinctively oost it with her flu-
te". ‘ - -  r l

i My;

.little secret long before these letters came so
regularly from Switzerland. Ah!» Lillian, it

bilant so much as the lover’s caresses!”

100*“ I with her behest glance, at;
Winnie, and then a low, delicious laugh came
rippling from her lips. _ a

my onlyrsecret, and I thought it was so well

“ Do you think, then, no one saw the joyous
light of your eyes of late? or noted the quiet,
meditative mood from which you always awak-
ened with such satisfied, perfect-content smiles
on your lips? 'Ahl mum: love writes its sig-
nals on your lace.” ,

A proud, almost overpowerineg exultant
light was in Lillian’s eyes as she listened.

“ Then, you are sure it is love! Nothing
else would render me so completely happy, so
far as looks go!” she said, inquiringly.

“I am sure; and yet,‘ dear Lillian, \I do not
seek to pry into your confidence But, if you
will let me,.I will odes- mybest prayers for
m; success and happiness, in connection with

smmmmamtmi" in Miss
Bothel rmel’s hand, addressed in a elegant
sly e. ' ' x

A curious expression came over Lillian’s face;
almost a look of patsionate eagerness.

shall be, if. my life is spared—and his.”

whom she referred to. >

It was rather of an odd answer to make to
Winnie’s congratulations, but she only won-
dered at it for a mdtnent, as she bent and kissed

brow, then went silently out.

herlapandthrustitinherhosom.
“ Heavensl if she knew what tint con-

lanceswithher wereitnotforhim!”

‘ This timeshedidnotmeanthewfiterofthe
letter; but her glittering eyes wandered afar

on over the tree-tops in the direction ‘of the

‘ faintly gleaming spirss'that marked the city

where Horn Gordeloup was working so hard,
so bravely. ' ’1' '

 

5 There wasagrsen M in her eyesthat 
‘ Bother-moi

imnosood;termm hadro—

lmembemd hermdmandshewas

'awomannottotorgds.

charms mi
‘ , ran contusion. ‘
.Irmuems magnatwmuoa’t

 

 

“ There the need; I have fathomed your 
was not the mountainairthatmade you so ju- 

A sudden smile broke over Idliiau’s face; she ‘

“You sly puss! How come you to discover 7 »

She glanced down at the letter, indicating g

Lillian Rothermel’s polished, marble-white 
Lillian matched the letter half fesrfully'from

tainedl .Andherhopes for my success! pitiful ;
little thing that she isl I’d scenitomeasure

 

 

“I hope your wishes may be realized. They V

 

.-

A mqu or m

I \ 5"].‘1 K h" .‘vli‘ xxl'

\ fl

 

vnnley was sittihg in her”bedroom,, with a Winnie, because I think I’ once you

dainty piece of sewing lying idly'On her wil- almost beyond reparation: but tomake'atone-
low work-stand, and hex-eyes, where the teen ment I will tell you that Lester Alienley was I
stood ready to ‘fall, rereading a note she “most awfully mistaken when he '

had received in that roam”
ago . .

so long, long

looked up to see Lillian Bothermel standing be-
side her, grave, yet smiling kindly down into
her teardimmed face. '

She felt the hot flushes rise to her cheeks
under Lillian’s gentle scrutiny, and .she ner-I

voust attempted to resume her sewing.
‘ But Lillian drew it from her fingers.
“ No, I came up purposely to have a little

confidential talk with you; and that letter I I
‘ found you reading I verily believe will lead me ‘

to the subject I wish to announce.”

Lillian had taken one of Winnie’s hands in
her own, and_was softly smoothing the white,
taper fingers. ‘

A half-frightened, ppealing look sprung up
in Winnie Alvanley’s eyes. —~

“ You are kind—very kind, Lillian—-to man-
ifest such an interest in my stairs; but don’t
ask‘me about it, please!” ' y ’

She 'was so afraid lest she should whisper the
faintest suspicion of her terrible secret—at
least a secret from Lillian, she knew.

Lillian raised her eyebrows inquiringly.

“About ‘it I” What! I was only going to
ask you this simple question, that I know
you’ll forgive from me, because I have sooiten
repented of my in regarding it.”

A cold shiver ourdled through Winnie’s
veins; whenevc Harry Gordeloup was men-
tioned, even so indirectly, she felt just so. ‘

- “You are free now, dear Winnie, and nat-
urally you will marry again. I know you
' love Harry Gordelonp—why not marry him f”

A little moaning cry came from Winnie’s
lips, and the tears came now, fast and free,
urged on by a sore, bleeding heart.

“ Lillian! Lillian l‘ in mercy, don’t! You
don’t know—you are stabbing me so!”

“No, I am not. I am doing you the great-
est earthly favor I can. Will you listen, Win-
nie, while I talk calmly, dispassionately, of
Harry Gonleloupl I. can do so, and I loved
him once. Surely,'you can, when you’ve but
tosaythewordandh‘ewillkneelatyourtees
the happiest man living.” ’

.‘Winnie shook her head. "

“You don’t know,me any thing about
it.” ' 1 ' -

“‘But I do. I know more than you  more
than ever Lester Alvanley did. There, does
that interest you? - '

A wild, intense thrill of something she hard-
ly could define sprung pp in Winnie’s breast;
she felt her heart Blown“ M Whilfi “he

. waited. ‘

“I take‘the greatest pleasure in telling you,

F enchanted.

 

‘ suspected
! Berry Gordelou'p oti’the murder or Mr. Clever-

ing. He told me himself, not 'a month titer

She folded it away with a weary sigh,'and : your marriage.”

Winnie’s eyes never blenched from  '
on Lillian’s moving, ’lip's; she hadt c j:
her handsiu a fleroehold, and now sat as'it  

“ I told Mr. Alvanley not to undeceive‘you

I at that late hour; he had confessed 'he’iused‘
| that honest suspicion of his to win you, and I

knew, amid all my grief and just anger, that
it would only make matters worse for. you to
know. Since then I have only waited a proper
time, hoping you would fly to Harry  you '
learned the truth.” , . ’ I ‘ '
“But I saw him, myself, come out «that ’
fatal room! 0h, Lillian, you an so'crnell so
cruell” . ’ . .
“Winnie, I know Harry was in Mr. (liner- -

ing‘s room, probably not an hour beforeithe - V 

deed was done; but I also know why he went, ’
how long he stayed, and when he came out; "

besides, Winnie, Iwas through his room “any. ‘
self, after Harry had gone back to bed; It ‘ 

went to see it Miss Amy, whose'room adjoins, I 

was comfortable.” .. ; 
Then Winnie sprungto her feet, and  l, 

Lillian’s arm till it purpled under her nails; . ,  ' ‘
“ What f' what i‘ and Mr. Clowning was

well when you went throughi”. , , . 7'
“Sleeping comfortably. Porhaps 

it was unmaidenly for me to enter his roomy," » "3

but what was I to do! mama doorwa- v
locked,nndlknewsheenlledme.”‘~*l' f y

“I think of nothing but my Herryfn’, _ f
nota guilty man! Oh, thank God, thank: God  “
‘for that!” _ e W ' ~

She walked up and down the room. weeping 
and laughing by turns, until Lillian’s calm, 
dispassionate language quieted her.  and a 
she left her in a. trance of  

30y. ' . ~
There was that some strange green glean in ‘
Lillian Bothermel’s eyes as she went down the ' 
stairs, and the same cruel, pitilea   .
ing on her lips. ' . ., a . , ,‘
But Winnie did not know 1118119., but,  
was free to marry him whom she had‘h‘ired

first, last, always! She walked ova to he: I,
wflting—deskandpenciledgnota a; ' 
'“ .i  WI. .791. -"he
mwmmr ‘39": _ "a, n ' "nu-8°“

Sheinclosed m'mu’mmm

monthsagqnndthensatdownto‘ for
themumz'hnmnymiieyfimu
I 

tube 4 r  - 

’ - a» v.5

 

 

 

 

r

‘24;  " _ ' A sweeten or EVE. . ‘ 

.7.,.. > E .1”? r, ,e n I, ',.v{.,.,,,,.....,.., A _.s.v .,

as“;

,3; , x I
. , .7. -

 

- CHAPTER XXII. '

r 'muanrornovn.
In. the same ofllce where he had  at
i ’work' that warm summer day, two years ago,
3* Harry ’Gordeloupi was sitting when Winnie
V ' Alvanley’s letter was thrown carelessly on his

desk.

 He was changed somewhat; his face wore
a more stern expression, and his beard had
grown, longer, making him look older, while
it added, rather than detracted, from his ap-

. A...:?...»s,x:,er—,« Vim-mat: .‘. 1». 0

Wm .

: He " had been true to his word; he had com-
 pletely , over his brief infatuation for
 . Lillian hermel, and learned to regard his
i" rdi pointment concerning her a just reward
 . Tom Cruelty to Winnie.

When he had learned of Lester Alvanley’s
death, his heart had leaped to his month; now,
" _ he would get Winnie after an; and his surprise
/, was only equaled by his grief at being refused
,; by her even an interview.

a; . When she had gone to Europe, he had given
5 . her" up; there was no struggle, only a gradual
‘:  clodng of the light and hope that had cheered
» mm, even while? she was the wife of another.
, Then, like a rocket-burst, came her letter. At
j ‘ ' sagas, thou t it was a cruel trick—and he
‘ .i’ememhered‘ \ illian Rothermel’s wrath once
1 ' " upona time-but when he saw his own inclosed,
 he knew the light had broken in upon him; so
 brilliant and dazzling, that it blinded, while it
, rejoiced him. I
, ‘ He did nottru'st toananswer; he took. the
1;; -*7 ilrstytrain Outfor Fernleigh, and reached there
 ' just as the family “were sitting down to dinner.
 j - All dutyandrjaded with the railroad travel,
“  «be rushed up to 'Winnie, who had arisen to
'f" meet him, with a low cry ofjoy.

' ,' “Myownl my own!” ,

~, alt seemed theyburden of his heart, and he

  

  

 

 as; ‘ 

j‘ : again, utterly regardless of the presence of

 ‘ Lillian orMiss Amy, who, with discreet kind-

- , ness,_slipped through the French window after
some more flowers.

:1 ' him.

{A - “rry,~I beg you to forgive me for what
"w  last time I saw you. I am
  I ask you topardon me; we need be
' ’ no more. Can we not be friends for
’her'saiel" . ‘

_ 'r ' She laid-one hand on his, and another on
“ V filginnie’s when happy eye stole/pleadineg to

s. . 1 v :
.y ' .",‘Oh,.yes, Hairy: Lillian must beour best,
 dearestnieua,

if . have  x
' She clung to his/arm; and he, in the full-

‘T ,j-vnrmnnfl h“ strength offlioypsave his hand to

   
   
    
 

 

 

took her in his arms and kissed her again and.

Pale, calm, lady-like, Lillian went up to

 

But for her, this never would ,

“We win forget and forgive, Lillian.”  '

“ She threw him a lightning glance of thank- '

tulness’ and kindness; in her my she grew
elated and exultant and more merciless than
ever!
Winnie’s new life began.

She wondered where the days and the weeks
that followed went to; it seemed only a light,
beautiful dream, and one morning she found
her wedding-day had come! She was strangely
restful and happy, yet, withal, a. trifle grave
that day; she was remembering another
wedding-day; and another bridegroom, and

then she turned with a cry of delight to Harry, I

who was watching her.

“ We’ll be all the happier, my own one, for
the dark clouds that enveloped us so long.
The sun is always the more welcome after a
long stormi”

And soit seemed their life would be; bright,
joyous and peaceful; they went over the self-
same ground that Winnie had- trodden' before
onher first wedding tour, for she wished it to
be so, and from the very first, her lightest

wish was Harry’s greatest delight to perform. 7

Of all the favors she asked in her sweet, old-

time way, there was one she had begged, with .

serious face, and quivering red lips. It was
that Harry never would ask her she had
refused him once and married Lester vanley.

And be, well content enough that he had
her at last, smiled and promised, and decided
it was her affair, not his. ' ,

They were thoroughly happy in their
married life; they sold Mr. Alvanley’s resi-
dence and went to board at Fernleigh for the
summer, at Lillian’s request, and the world
seemed nothing but brightness to the husband
and wife, who had, next to each other, learned
to love Lillian best.

And she, when no-one saw her, would clench

her white hands and hiss curses on them for
their happiness; and then laugh horribly when r .

some sudden thought came to her!

CHAPTER XXIII. '
m BLOW.

Gordeloup, sitting under the gasligh’t, their
fingers busy in preparing the little love-tokens
that the coming season called for,
' Harry was lounging on the sofa, a half-read
evening paper in his hands, his eyes really
watching the two ladies, and one of them with
particularly loving interest. , ,

A sort of calm quiet had fallen upon them;
Lillian was in a, meditative humor, and Winnie

I was content with the frequent lovetelegrams

from Harry. , 4
The door-bell rung suddenly, with such
sharp, successive peels that Winnie involnne

So they sealed thecompaot, and'

 

A ennssss'r winter's evening, just before *
the holidays; Lillian Rothsrmel and Winnie -

 

 

gain 2.. 4. g .e

. .w;sn..n.mm..mr.om;sta.  h . r

Junie-“ m. ...._ .  ' we...“ ...

 

 

 laughed at her nervousness. r
V L “It’s the boywith theworstedtrom
., “city, I think. Shall I see!" ~ » '

i M

 

.. "tans started hem handrail-,while nan-y

the

' “But Lillian’s kind ofler was not answered,

/
.‘n‘(

[graquichfirmstepcemeeehoingelong the

0

“Who can it be—-no one should come up
that way. Harry, dear, see, will you? That
fellow of Kinney’e—” -

Winnie turned toward the door as it opened;

’and a quick, horrible cry finished her sentence.

i‘ Oh, my God!”
Then she fell back into Lillian’s arms, whose

' lips were pallid and eyes dilated.

For there, flushed and travel-stained, stood

 Lester Alvanley!

Harry sprung to his feet and confronted
him,.epeechless from the awful shock; then,

' after a. moment, he staggered backward to the

sofa, and leaned his head upon his hands. »
“ And this is the way I find my wife, is it!"
His voice went thundering through the

v room, and brought the suddenly-smitten light
‘_ into Harry’s eyes, the fire into his heart. '

“ Your wife? Never! by all that is holy,
never! She is mine before heaven and

I”, earth 2” r ' -

Lester Alvanley’s devilish hngh rang out

9 low and terrible.

“We’ll centest that, Mr. Gordeloup. In the

' mean time, Miss Rothermel, I am pleased to see
you." ' . .

He extended ‘ his hand, but she shrunk
away.
“ No! no! Mr. Alvanley, in mercy leaveus.
8’

 Indeed she is Harry’s wife!

“I am sorry I can’t agree. Winnie—
Winniel” I -
His voice grew tender, and he laid his hand

‘ lightly on her forehead She ‘shivered, even
, though but partly conscious. -

9 Harry.

“Take your hand of! her!” thundered
“Mr. Gordeloup,” and Mr. Alvanley turned

-" quietly. around and faced the horrified hus-



flq. . I .3. <

I claim

 

band, “ there is no. need of‘a quarrel 'in this
affair. Of course I expect to claim my wife,
even if the has unfortunately supposed herself

' to be yours. I am prepared to offer any
'2 equivalent to you-not heoalme I am obliged

to, but for the lose you must sustain—for I shall
not for a moment dream 0! relinquishing my
on her." '

 listenedwithaghastlyfaee and sink,-

 ing heart; he knew Lester Alvanley‘s wife was
 not hie—oh, Heavens! bad “we? haul-4W1
 he looked pitifully’towal‘d Winnie. who opened
 her eyes and sawydnly him

“ Harry, who was it that  me so!

 I thought-4".

Then her frightened eyes, that had peered

"around the room, caught the awful sight

.V"....,’"A;n'menm.  ' 7 

' welcome for e 
ever, adieu." ‘ '

 

 

again; and, wltha mean, she swung-rye .  :3;
“He must not‘heve me!  He." 1 ' '2‘
won’t “let him have mel' I’ll go, ‘
can’tbehisageinl” \ - f ‘ "lg! ' ,
Shivering, weeping, sheclung to his arm; v  .
anddheficarcelyles movedpreseed her tightly  
to m. - '  =  .
“You shall not leave me, my own darling»   V  
Winnie! You are mine in the sight of scam .~ ‘ '
not ’21 man, and I swear I never will desert? _‘ ' ,
But his voice was husky, and Winnie. felt “  .' 
his heart throbbing madly ageinsther. - ' , .‘,-: 5v 
“Mrs. Alcanley,” Lester said, so dilapa‘gk 
sionately and really that her heart.  ,-
“I-rem sorry to find ,my place sopre era‘ny * ' ‘
filled. I have brought home, after years of.   
sickness, danger, shipwreck, a. whole  " 5‘19;
and I expected to find the same.- But, Wheth‘  . :37“
it is or not, my duty, urged-by a verynatulfl- : ~
inclinatidn,’ tor which 'I run are men" Kr. ‘
Gordelonp cannot censure me, leads mete  "
lish what seems to be my forgotm rights“ “
Then Lillian, who had heenverymiiet  .:
agitated, spoke: - ' ', 
“But leave us for the present,  Alme ,
ley. You see Winnie’s nervous condition;- :, 
leave her to my care and her Gel-sf; ‘ L ‘

  

 
 
    
  
   
 
  
 
 
   
    
   
   
  
  
 
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
  

deloup’s.” ,
Alvanley smiled grimly.  v  ‘ g» 
“A fine idea, truly! However,  

wife seems really agitated by my genome, _I ' 

will say good-night, provided  r. 

loup accompanies me. Of course he willpo- 15'

81:;- t: go, seeingthethehesmhzeldflhtto 
How conscious he was of hh   if"

over them! how every word stabbed " ' . ,.

heart afresh! how Winnie clung weeping
pmyingtohiml - _ ‘ f~ 

A Little wonder was it that Lillian.

fiercely; ' - .I 

Harry gently «111W u, m.“ I M I
, line, as, 1.   - . 

arms. ,

“It is true, my. > '
right to you—tort , present, at any  '
I will go, but    .
it is onlya  I,  ‘ 
the land will give y‘eiln divorce   -.
Alvanley.”  . h ,  ',  _- .,,

Lillian  oi, the ex},  ,4
pasures and disgrace of'thge divorce-court! but: '
Lestaronlyunfledeya' .. . ..

“As I we Inmate“,  ~ . 
good-night. T innie, mydéar, is“:   

He'would‘h'eve  ,'   '
savagely interposed. I  
“Wait till you’ve proved. 

i

  

much.”
,,

   

»; e ,
Sb; ,,

. 4  an bottoms term, ~

'2.
w

 

 fiAnd- Ma Alvanley’ returned to his 
‘ 3- Where the newsfhad been brokenyto him, his

  
  
   
 
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
    
 
 

~-and‘slowlyl smoked i . ~

  (  Han-y Gordeloup, turn with ,bitte
‘ grief, walked the grounds all night, watching

.' the light in.Winnie"s window till- it paled in.

  light at day.-’ . ' »

Ia,xasx unnosxnn.

 i-fioirnbmnn was invaluable in 

a ‘7 ‘ " thougfithalihindness for Winnie, during all that

S . lung,"terrihle Seasonal! agony that followed
 u_-the return of Lester Alvanley.’ The commu-
j‘nit'y' at large was no less shocked than was the
» unfortunate woman herself; and certainly no
‘less demonstrative in Mr. Gordeloup’s favor
than was Winnie herself. ,
’ ', For days and nights Winnie neither ate nor
slept. _ but paced the floor of her room in silent,
 consuming agony. Of her own course she had
" tie-doubt, so far as her heart might lead her;
«naysaueiier again would she live with Lester
,Alvanley; let all the powers of earth attempt
 :to persuade or coerce her and she would
 .refist; Sooner than go back to the old life

least. ,- v - '

‘ She ahad been too happy as Harry Gordo-
_,lonp’;s wife; she often had wondered, even,
amidthe peaceful sunshine, if another woman

that the thunder-cloud, had burst on her,
 so clear a sky, apparently, she remem-
“  past happiness With a still keener
anguish, * »
_ Besides herself, she suffered for Harry, her
tendenkdewted husband; and she fiercely
the. endeared word; he was her hue.
 lorall that other had risen from the
dead ' to< mock her. To Harry she had sworx
Ito heloyal‘ and true; to him she would turn in

* looks'npon her. She felt her own soul clear,

"  and what mattered all also? 9 -

-’ i'ilo Lillian she poured opt her whole heart;
’, it warm! Lillian‘s shoulder she wept her bitter

‘ “rice her-own heart throbbed an assent to.
.  ‘ Then, one morning-Mr. Alvanley demanded
 interview of her; and she went to see \
‘ Jeane might meet a stranger-wot ‘ an enemy.
‘1, 313“? Iain the stronger, the more determined,
  by the powers that be, Winnie, I will not
am you up.” ‘ '

,eyesgaveto‘ken er the fires within. .
“8y Jove, Winnie,,I doubt-if a fellow was

M ,

j face wearing a‘strange smile as be lit a 

she, would die; there would be rest then, at the '

lived who was so blest as she; and now, '

d  this aflliction, let who might cast their scornful .
v—Jtears; from Lillian’s tender lips she heard the
1 .7 “Whack the use of your fighting against "

7' ; stood hetero him, pale, silent as a ghost; ’ _
«only thej‘slumb‘eflng light in her deep violet

 

ever? is love suture} he. .s 1‘ am with ‘ "

when I went away.”
His adnnring
her pallid cheeks; but her lips curled. ‘
“ Your tulsome flattery is simply ill-timed.
Whatisit you wishofmei” r ‘ ,
He laughed, and leaned carelessly hack in
 aim-chair. '

you!" You’re a thousanddold handsomer? than

“That’s rich, isn’t it! .What  Ifwent, ' 

if not to call you my own againll Of course
I’ve come to tell you it'sall‘ settled,.and Ihave
sent for my luggage from New York. When

you leave Fernleigh, we’ll find another board: . I

ins-place.”

A curdling shiver ran over her to hear this

mannassume his rights. Was it true? I 
“I never shall leave Fernleigh with you,

gaze brought a. dull filinw to

 
      
 
  

 

Mr. AIVanley. I acknowledge no fealty to 

you more than to the veriest stranger on the
earth; but, if the cruel laws of this country
can force you upon me, rest assured their
power lies only in words; for, Loster Al-
vanley, so sure as there is 9. Heaven above to
protect me, so sure will I never, never be aught
to you 1” ‘ ' '
She was trembling, yet she felt her heart
strong within her; momentarily, now that her

defiant stand. was taken, something within her ' »

whispered courage and hope.
His own eyes grew dangerously bright, and

Winnie saw a pallor gather around his mouth, w

as he partly rose from his chair. , ‘

€‘Do you dare defy inc—«me, your lawful ‘

husbandi You scorn me—Jyou, the illegitimate
wife—r” «

“ Enough!” she cried. Your lying lips have
proven your vile heart; but if, as you say, I
am the unlawful wiifie of Harry Gordeloup,

such will I be to the latest days of my‘exist~ ‘
.enca'in preference toa life;th you! Are

you satisfied now?”

How glorious she was, defending her own
pure self, and "she read night the pasflon
gathering in Mr. Alvanley’s eyes.

“ By Heaven, I am. not satisfied! It mad- _
dens me to hear youl‘ and I’d sooner take your -

life from you than let you give lt;to that pol.
troon-J’ " 4 7 ‘ ~ ‘

His sentence was ended by a staggering blow
that sent him reeling across the room, and
Winnie sprung to Harry Gordeloup’s open
arms, as he stood there, his tam" deadly 'white‘
with just indignation. . ‘ "

“ You are a gentleman, are you not! A line

specimen of manhood, to come here in my as» '
some and insult this lady i” ' » . ,. ,
[Harry glowered down on the mamas he '

sprung to his feet,!all ablaze with passion.
“ You’ll me that, slrl You’ll—n”, 

“Note. wordl".said Harry, as he  his-

arm tightly about Winnie’s trembling? form.
“I forbid further intrusion upon  

 f
.5

  
    

, an  ..

5: .As‘ .

 

 

 

 

   j         

 

' ~‘  ‘1‘».
'27?» .

 

 

 whighijithink, will'be some time yes? 
 filiagmglby the adviceof my lawyer;”‘*',‘  i 1

E
i loué’é’ll‘meme until I'l'esign‘ ‘    ,

’A‘Startled look. cameto Mr.   -‘

’ Lbllt he forced it away. '

F ' ‘3 on canmtrighten me with your hugahoos-l”

\ “I’ve no desire to, as I conclude your alarm
 come soon enough Winnie, my darling,
will yoli’get your hat and sacque, and return

v With me to New York? I. have secured rooms
: for “St-J, "
g I “\By Jove, you dare not! I’ll have a police-
" man, at your heels, you villain, if- you attempt
 such a wholesale outrage!” v ,
Harry smiled carelessly. ' «-
 ‘.“Be as quick as you can, dear. The car-
glage is in waiting. Let your maid accompany
, s. r ‘
' Winnie’s face lighted. ‘ .
“So gladly, so thankfully, I’ll go, Harry!
,shall I say to Lillian?”
A sudden black frown, so intense that she
ialmost started, came t9.Barry’s-face.
 9‘ You need make no explanations to Miss
[Bother-Incl. She and this gentleman can at-
lrange their alfairs.” ‘ ’
 " His voice was hard, merciless, and Winnie
lihtuitively knew there was good. reason for his
‘ range conduct.
 Mr. Alvanley arose, rather-nervously, after
innie had gone to prepare herself for the ride
JED the city. ' . -r
 “ I will not remain under this roots moment
longer; were it my own I should eject you; as
it is, I am rather, a victim of circumstances,
but I can hide my time."
 He walked toward the door just as Winnie
the in, followed by Lillian Rothermel, who
‘ ,ked anxiously, even fearfully around.
, “No!” yelled Harry, catching Mr. Alvan-
3ey’s arm and jerking him back violently.
You do not leave Fernleigh just yet. Officer,
re’s your man i” .
A detective, accompanied by two policemen,
; rung through the French window, and in a
Second had secured him, Winnie and Lillian
~ ‘ icing on in wild-eyed amazement. ,
“Harry! , Harry! what does it mean?”
«’It was Lillian Rothermel’s‘ sweet, terrified
oice'that asked the/question as she clung to

    
  
   
   
   
    
  
     
   
   
   
    
 
   
   
  
   
 
  
 
    
  
  
 
  

as!” and he 7 flung them, OK. “It means
your lair, you tigress you! Ah: Winnie, see
1‘ guilt, he; deceitful treachery, her duplicity,
' her face!” a _ ‘ ‘
For a moment Lillian had straightened her-
, f Proudly; indisnwtly; the“ she grew-stony.
comma; and awash, when Embed
 inted manager at her, shelled sunk, gravel-
“ cheaper: the floor. , i

. it you are found out—«you havesbeen tracked-

; taster the life-ouncent oozed out between 

~ arm.
i a Don’t defile ma, woman, witli‘your polluted .

held her firmly back
(her heart is vile be‘Yond‘concqition,   .

ward wavering!” ,' “

ian awful,»gurgling voice. ' .

» and he looked at Lillian’s dead face again-s.

little rockingihow it would robou’ndm _ "

 

  
  
  
     
   
    
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
 
 

Winnie sprung!   

“ No, dearest; she is not fitter you  mick;  
hands are red with blood—seam blood '01

A fearful shriek burst from Lilliau’sjips,  
and she struggled to her feet. ‘ S~  I V  .,-;-*’

-“It’s a lie, a. fouhelalso«—”  ‘ ' j   

Then a. bright tinge of blood stained herding“, ‘

that made her hideous in her ghastly palenees: 

3‘3,"  L;

H‘

fastset teeth, but she still assayed to speak;  ,

“It is a diabolical lie, Ham—amount: 2-, '
You know——I—-loved you—hated you—'4’.   ' '

And then the thick stream issuing from the ,,
blood-vessel broken in the fury of passion and 
strength, of fear, sported out a fiery torrent-— ' v
and with it the life of Lillian Bothermet'

4

 

CHAPTER XXV. .

, rum BEVELA'I‘ION.‘  f
Sonnim, even unto the silenthorror of: 
grave, the men looked down on the dead.  
that lay upturned on the, emerald, carpet; and
Winnie, moaning and almost fainting,tlny,iu; .
her husband’s arms. ’ ' ‘ ” ' “
Harry’s low, impressive
in] stillness. . . M “
“Mr. Leslie Alvanley, on condition of  A
teasing your complicity with that woman-14”“,

voice brokethe  "

“and acknowledging that you are not 
Alvanley, my wife’s first husband, huts.
brother, named Leslie, whom’ Miss 
accidentally met in Switzerland and hired "
to play the part of your dead brotherflgiyingl;
you all necessary instructions therefore-ny
will be allowed to return to Europe with 
further punishment than your own guiltyjsoui. ,'
willcarry,» . , , .;__
Mr. Alvanley had undergone a oomph,” ,
change during thesegfew tragic moments;  s
“ It is true-all true—all true, I‘  he
hurriedly said, with chattering teeth,» as 
glanced askance at Lillian’abody.j    Hf“-
“And you’ll never return to Anteri'ca 
under penalty of the utmost rigor of, the.
Now, sir, gal”   ,1 .r 7 ‘
He was not slow to take advantage,
ry’s mercy, and then Winnie andher
summoned the household and sapwood, leap. 
ing the remains 01' the guilty  charge 
ot the police, in the very housewhere she had, 
but ‘so shortly before, wrought e horrible  , ,,

'ownproud head; ; - v .  .  ,1

autumnth she hidden (the moth”...  '
crime; and but for one misstep shame, gm; ‘
that seemed unworthy of :heryconsumgm'gg  —

  

 ‘~ inmates“? 1 9 ,1

7x?” ,r” I.
I f)”,
t

‘ x

 

" "  that‘shewssmer  have

with her. "

   
 
 
 
    
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   

the mystery—his, guided, by a God who had
v declared Vengeance belonged to him alone for
V 'Rpayment—tbat God who has since crowned
‘ -, Hawaeordeioup’s me with brightest coronals
' lot earthly rejoicing. ‘

‘ "  had occurred this way: anguiehstrickan,
: - v' Harry. had gone to the library that night when
. iii. ~ Mr. ‘Alvanley had made his sudden and blight-
' ing appearance. ‘ ‘

1'  i’ ’For hours he had walked the floor in tumult
- ol'spirit devising all manner of plans to. re-
; 3 li’eve'Winnie of the fate he believed before her,
1 ' when he suddenly remembered a pamphlet of
" laws on such subjects that Mr. Clavering had
~ momma. ' .
'  He began a search for it, impatient for the
r. « teeming that would take him to his lawyer.
-  C as could not find it; he stumbled over draw‘
 and found himself in unknown recesses
 compartments, where, as it an angel finger
7'93 guiding him, he struck against a, carved
in the side of the huge secretary, that
 f like a percussion—cap, and flew open,
,  Good-heavens! amidallhis troubles, all the

’ .‘orushing‘ weight of his own agony, he felt the

 round his heart. ' \ '

’  ,There lay a tiny silver weapon, and on the
 was used instead of a ball, were
specific; blond, dried and dull, while a little
phone Wasp dull green blur. V

'  could it be but the poisoned instrument
.  had  Mr. Clhverinz’s death?

' - ""Butv‘Harry’I hadbeen'thehand‘tounravel-

. to himself regarding

'solved to do it.

 

ewes ' it man charm-Md. hook, locked "

 
 
 
  
  

with a golden clasp, that an his strength could 
not undo; that a blow from   ping??? 

burst apart. a ,

it did‘ not need many moments’ reading’to'
convince him of the horrible truth that Li lian
Bothermel had heard Mr. Clavérixig’s remark

hervtsvor, and ‘ ‘ e deliberately took his
life, that she mightwin Harry back to her. '

terms of the will in 

It was soul-freezing to read it; and then, '

further on, was a full account‘of her accidental

meeting with Leslie Alvanley, whom she had‘

recognized as Lester; the mutual explanations; 
her successful terms with him. to'aid her in ‘ ’

working ruin and wrong where

she had re-j “

, She remarked how blind were Miss Am} and  I

'Winnie, who attributed her exuberant spirits 

to the mountain air, and when at home, to her w

love-letters from Switzerland! and the while it

was the delicious~ results of] this sleepr Ven- ",

geance of hers.

Armed with these infallible proo Harry

‘saw he could, at one blow, sweep a clouds, I

from his own and Winnie’spath forever. ,:
The reeult‘we have seen, , * , p ' ,
' Lillian Rothsrmel, whose‘revenge her
into a most daring attempt, had but given into
Harry’s hand the weapons to destroy herself,

whereas sire intended he should be utterly de- 
spoiled of all be cherished ,' ‘
 Today Lillian Rothermel’l grave is uni

known, unloved, unhonored, while Winnie and
Harry are tasting life‘s choicest  v

 

 

.

 

vi

 

.y

‘1 .u  .- __

we