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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Sentinel, 1881-08-26, Page 2 (2)4. _ - • That Day. -That day was one of those sweet rare days That only come in June, When-hearts'breathe gorth instinctive praise, And pulses are in tune ; And o'er the hill and o'er the la My own true lover came to Me That day. = I know that 'skies were never -so blue, Or flowers e'er half so sweet, . And nceer a road so smoothly white • Did lip 'neath trees that bent to greet - As whereve met, my lover and I, • Metancein spite of our destiny, . - That day. ''Twas but a glimpse of the "might have been," •-Aclasp of -hands o'er yea, • A brief forgetting of worldly din, A precedent of tears;. life, with its ceaseless ebb and flow. . '-- two liVes, their weal and. woe, _ ' day. •-• I Yet 'twill stand forth on meth - Marked with a snow-white stone; • 'Twill come to Meet in the land unseen, When each shall 'Claim his own; And -we can wait, my -love and I, Holding M -trust from memory That day. LOVERS VET. ---(Bv thie, author of " Biladoline's Lover.") - "You do not leek cruel,... Mr. Fernely;" continued,Lillian. ".Your face is good and true -I would trust you. Release ray sis: ter. She Was but a, foolish, impethous child when abeemade you that premise. If ." she keeps it, alfher life'will be wretched. - Be generous and release her:" - • "Did she bid you ask me ?' he. interne - • -gated. - - - "No,' she replied; "but do you lino* what the _keePine of that promise will cost . Lord Earle will neve: forgive her. •She will have 'to leave homeesistere friends - --all she loves and values most.- ,,Tudge • whether she could ever care for youtif you • brought this upon her." cannot help it' he, said gloomily.. "She- promised to be my wife, Miss Lilliae -heaven knows I am speaking truthfully --and 'thieve lived on her Words, You do - not know What the true love of a 'strong -man is. Ilove her so that, if she chose to . place her_ little foot upon' me, and trample the life out of me, I would .not say her • 'nay. I must see her -the hungry, yearn- -hag love that fille niy-heart Must be satis- fied.". Great tears shone in his eyes, 'and J. deepsobs slaciole his strong frame... " I will notharna her," -he said, "bat I must see her. Once, and once only, her • beautiful. face, ley ou. ray'e breast -that beautiful "proud, face r No mother ever yearned to see her child again more than I long to see her. - Let her come to me, Miss Lillian ; let me kneel at her feet as I did -before. If she.sends me from her. 'there will be pity in death; but she cannot. -There isnot a "woman in. the . world who • could. send such love as Mine away! "You cannot understand," he continued. "It ismore-than tveo years since left her night ad. day her face has- been before me. Ikave lived upon my love; it is my life -ray „everything. I could no more drive it from my breast. than I cold tear My heart from ray body and still liver .o • " Even if royal:der cared for you," said Lillian, gently -for his passionate words _touched her-" you, must know that Lord Earle ' would never allow her to keepluth a promise as -she Made."- • " She knew nothing -of Lord Earle when itewas made," he replied; dnoredid I. She was a beautiful child, pining away like a bright bird shut up in a cage.- I promised • her freedom and. liberty de she promised me her love. Where was Lord Earle then? She -was safe with me. -I4oved her; I was. • - kinder to her than -her own father; I took care of her -he did not." "Itis4lI changed now," said. Lillian. - " But 1 cannot change," he answered. "If fortune had made me a king, should I • have loved your sister less? - Is a man's heart a . plaything?Can I cell back my love:? It has caused me woe enough."• - Lillian knew -not what to say in the pre- sence of this mighty love; ter gentle efforts at mediation.were bootless. She pitied him -e-she pitied Beatrice. •. • - "1 - sure you can be gotten:ins," she 13aid, after a short silence. " Greatetrue, -Doble love is never selfish. My sister- can never be happy with you; then release her. If you force • her, or try to 'force her, -to keep this rash promise,think how -she will - dislike you. If you ate. generous, and release her, think how she will esteem you., "Does She not love me?" he asked ; -and his voice was hoarse with pain. " No' " -replied Lilliain gently;. " it is better for, you to know the. truth. She. , does not love you -She never will," • "1 do not believe it 1")e cried. I will •never believe it from any lips but her own.! her love-- me. Great heevens ! Do you know you are speaking of the woman who promised to be my wife? - If he tells Me. SO, I Will believe her." . • • • " She- will tell yeti," said Lillian, "ahd you must not blame" her. Come' again when she, , "No," returned Hugh,Fernely have .waited long -enough. X am here-te see her, and I swear -I will not spoken to me." • \He drew a pencil -ca and wrote a few lin which Beatrice had se Give that- to yo sister," he said, softly; e and,'Miss Lillian, 1, thank veu - for coraing-to . You have &fair; true face. Never break .a man's heart for Pas- time,' or because 'the long many hOurs- ring heavyuponyour hands." • . "I wisla I- could say something to come it you," she said.. He held out -his hand, she could net refuse hers. Good -1b -y, Miss Lillian Heavertpeless u for your sympathy." . • • "Good-bye," she returned, looking at the •dark handsonde face- she was never more. . to see1' - The moon was hidden behiod -a - dense • VOWS , of thibk clouds. Hugh Fernely walked quickly- down the path. Lillian, . takieg the folded , paper,- hastened across_ -the gardens. But neither of them se* • -a tall, erect figure, :or a pale stricken -face ; neither of thein heard Lionel Deere _utter a• low cry as thelsiliewl fell from Lil- •:lian's 'golden head. He had tried over the trio, but it Ea not please him ; he did not want music -he wanted Lillian., Beatrice played badly, t00, as though she did not know what she was doing. Plainly enough Lord Airlie wanted hini out of the way. - • •• . "Where are you going asked Beatriee;* as he placed. the neusie on the piano. "To loOk for a good cigar,„" lace replier "NeithenAirlie nor you need,prptend to be_ leave until she has. e from his pocket s oh the envelope „. 7 polite, Bee, and say you hope I shall not leave you.", Hequitted the 'drawing -room, and went to _his own room, where a box of cigars awaited. bine. He aelected one, and -went out into the garden to enjoy it._ Was it chance that led hire to the path by the shrubbery? The wind swayed the tall branthes, but there came a lull and the murmur of voices. Looking over , the hedge, he saw the tall figure of a man, and the slight figure of a young girl shrouded in black. - " , meld and her •,e Venal - "• Now that is not pre- cisely the kind of thing Lord Earle would like; still, it is no business- of mine." But the man's voiee struck him -it was full of the dignity of true passion. He wondered who -he was He saw the young dieplace her hand in his for a rnoment, r•An hasten rapidly away. He thought, himself stricken mad when the black shawl fell, and showed in the faint moonlight the fair face and golden hair of Lillian Earle. • - When Lillian re-entered the drawing - room theepretty ornaolu clock was 'chiming hitpast 9. The chess and card tables were just as she had left them.dheatrice and Lord Aiello were still at the piano. Lionel was nowhere th -be seen. She went up to Beatrice and smilingly asked Lord- Airlie if he could spareher sister for five minutes. - "-Teri if you wish it;" he replied "but no longer ;" and, the two sisters walked through the long drawiug-room into the - little boudoir. •. " Quick, lailliaaa," cried Beatrice. "Have you seen him? • What does he say 2" " I have seen him," she replied ;`" there is no time now to tell all he said. He sent this 'note ;" and Lillian gave the folded paper into her sister's hand, and then clasped both hands in her own. "Let me tell you, Beatrice, darling, before you -read if," she said, "that I tried to soften his heart; aid I think, if you will see him yourself, and ask foryohedfree- dom, you willenot ask in 'vain." • A light that was dazzling as sunshine came into the beautiful -face. - "Oh, Lilly," she cried, " can it be true! Do not mock me with false hopes; my life seems to tremble in the balance." , "118 is not cruel," said Lillian. "1 am sorry for him. If you see him I feel sure he will release you.. See what he says." Beatrice opened the letter; it contained but -a few penciled lines. She did not give' them to Lillian to rea:d. • • " BATRICE," wrote Hugh Fernely, "you must tell me with your own _lips that you do not love me._ You musttell me. your- self that every sweet hope you gave me was a false lie. I will not leave Earles - court again without seeingyou. On Thurs- day night, at 10.e'clock, I will be at the same place --meet me, and tell me if you want your freedom. , HUGH." "1 shall. win !". she cried. "Lill -y,' hold my. hands -they tremble with happiness. See, I cannot hold the paper. He will release me, and T shall not lose my love - MY love, who is all the world to me. How must I think you?. This is Tuesday ;dhow shall I live until Thursday? I feel as though a lciad, a burden, -the weight of which no -words can tell, were taken from me. Lilly, I shall be Lord Airlie's wife, and. you will have saved. me." -- "Beatrice," said Lord Earle, as the sis- ters, in returning, passed by the chess. table, " ourgame is fioished ; will you give os a, song?" - _„- - Never hood -Ace magnificent voice rung out so joyously, hever had the beautiful face looked so bfight. She sang something that was like the air of triumph -no undercur- rent of sadness marred itspe.ssionate sweet- ness -Lord Airlie bent over her chair enraptured. . • - "You sing -like one inspirea, Beatrice," he said. , - • 1 ed I was thinkiieg � you," she repliede and he saw by the dreanay rapt expression of her face that she meant what she had said: e - , - Presently -Lord Airlie was summoned to La.dy Helena's amisfance in some little argumeot over cards, slid Beatrice, while her, fingers strayed Mechanically over the keys, arrived at her decision. Shewould see -Hugh, She could not avert that; and - she must meet -him is 'bravely ti.s she could. After all, Lillian had said, he was hot crueleand he did love her. The proud lips curled in scornful triomph as she thought how dearly he loved her. She would appeal to his love, and beseech him to releaseher. She would beseech hird-with such urgency that be could not refuse., Who ever refused. ler? Could she not move men's hearts as the wind moves the leaves-? He would be angry at first, per- haps fierce and passionate, but in the end she would: prevail. As she sat there. dreamy tedder melodies - stealing, as it • were, from her finger, she went in fancy through. the whole scene. She knew how silent the sleeping woods would be -how dark and still the' night. She could ima- gine Hugh's face browned by the sun and travel. Poor Hugh! In the overflow of her happiness she flelt more kindly toward • She wished_ him well. He might may 'scene nice -girl in hisown station of and be a prosperous, happy man, and she would be a good friend to him if he would let there. No- one would ever know her secret: would keep it faithfully, ancl. down the lair vista of years she saw herself Lord Airlie's beloved wife, the error of her youth repaired And forgotten. The ,picture was so pleaaant that it was no wonder her songs grew more triumphant. The who listened to the music that night never forgot it. •. CHAPTER.XX7VIL Lionel Deere stood for some minutes stunned with the shock and surprise. He could not be inistaken ; ,unless his senses played him false, it was Lillian Earle whom he had mistaken for a maid meeting her laver. It Was the Lillian ,he had believed so pure and guileless who had stolen from her father's house under the cover of night's darkness and silence -who had met in her father's grounds one whom she dared not meet in the light delay. If his dearest friend had sworn this to Lionel, he would not have believed it. His own senses he could. not 'doubt: The feint, feeble moonlight had as surely fallen on the fair face and hair- of. Lillian Earle as the sun shone by day in the sky. He -threw away his cigar, and ground his teeth with rage. Had the skies fallen at his feet, he could not have been more startIr 'and, amazed. Then, after all, all women were alike. There was in them no truth, no, goodness ; the whale world were alike. Yet he had believed in her soimpli- citly-in her guileless purity,heritrutla, her freedom from every taint of the world. That fair, spirituel form had seemed to him only as a beentifel casket hiding a pre- cious gem. Nay, still more, through know- ing and loving her, he had begun to- care for everything good and pure that inter- ested her. Now all was false and hateful. Tliere wasno truth in the world, he said to himself. This girl, whom he had letliimed to be the fairest and sweetest dgu eciever an • aiellu're little deceptions, hiding narrovegmgEiesa straitened circumstances, were ELS nothing compared with Lillian's deceit. And he had loved her so Looking ihto those tender eyes, he had believed love and - truth shone there; the dear face that had •blushed and stalled for him had looked so pure and guileless. How long was it since he had held her -little hands clasped within his own, and, abashed before her sweet innocence, had not dared to touch her lips. even when she had premised to love him? Ilovv he had been duped and deceived! How she must have laughed at his blind folly I Who was the man? Some one she must have known years before. There was no - gentleman in Lord Earle's circle who would have stolen into his grounds like a thief bynight. Why had he not followed hina, and thrashed him within ,an inch of his life? Whylad he let him escape? The strong hands were clenched tightly. It was well for.Hugh Fernely that he was not at that moment in Lionel's power. Then the fierceehot anger died away, end a passion of despair seized him. A tong low cry came from his lips, a hitter sob shook his frame. He had lost his fair, eweet love. The ideal he had worshipped lay stricken; falsehood and deceit marred its fair form. While. the first smart of pain Was upon himehe would not return to the house; he would wait until he was cairn and cool. Then he would see how she dared to meet His hands ceased to tremble; the strong, angry pulsation of his heart grew calmer. He went back to the drawing -room; and, except that the handsome face was pale even to the lips, and that a strange angry • light gleamed in thp frank, kindly eyes, there was little difference in Lionel Deere. She was there, bending over the large folio he had asked her to show him; the golden hair fell _upon the leave. She looked hp as he entered • her fair face was- calm and serene there was a feint pink flush on the cheeks, and a bright smile trembled on her features. - " Efere are the drawings," she said; d' will you look over them?" He remembered hove he had asked her to `sing to him, and she had,refused, looking confused and uneasy the 'while. He under- stood now thereason why. He took a chair by her side; the folio lay uPon a table pla,cedin a large recess, lighted by a silver lamp. They were as much alone there as though they had been in another room. She took out a drawing, and laid itbefore him. _ He neither saw it nor heard what she remarked. . " Lillian " he said- suddenly "if you were asked -what was'the MOBt deadly sin a 'woman could commit, what should you reply ?" "That is a strange question," she answered. "I do not know, Lionel. I think I hate all sin alike." Then I will tell you," he said -bitterly; "it is false, foul deceit -blank, heartless treachery." - She looked up in amazement at his angry tone ; then there was for ' some momenta unbroken silence. "1 cannot see the drawings " he said • "take them away. Lillian Earle, raise your eyes to mine; look me in the face stralglat. How long ieit since I asked you to be my wife?" ' Her -gentle eyes never wavered; they were fixed half in wonder on his, but at this question the faint -flush on her cheeks grew deeper. - - "Not very long," she replied-" a few days." "You said you loved ene,"he confined. "dI do," said she. _ " Nnheatsvier me again. Have you. ever loved or cared for any one else, as you say you do for me ?" _ • "Never," was the quiet reply. "Pray, pardon the question -leave -you -received the attention of any lover before receiving mine ?"' " Certainly not," she said,Wondering still I have all your affection, your confi- ' dance, your trust ; you have never duped or deceived me; you have been oPen, truth- ful and honest with me." "You forget yourself, Lionele" she said, with gentle dignity ; "you shodld not use Such words to me." - " Answer I", he returned. "You have to do with a desperate map. , Have you deceived me 2" - "Never," she replied, "-in thought, Word or deed." • "-Merciful heaven 1" he cried. "That one can be so fair and so false !" , There was -nothing but wonder in the face that was raised to his. '` Lillian," he said, " I have loved you as the ideal of all that was pure ancldnoble in woman. In youl loved everything good and holy. May heaven pardon you that my faith has died a, violent death." "1 cannot understand you," she said slowly. " Why do you speak to me so 2" I will Ilse plainer words," he replied - "80 plan], that you ,cannot mistake them. I, your betrothed husband,the man you love and trust, ask you, Lillian Earle, who was it you met to -night in your father's grounds?" . • He saw the question strike her as, light- ning sometimes strikes a fair tree. The color faded from her lips ;,a cloudecame over the clear dove -like eyes: she tried to answer, but the words clied,away in adaint murmur. • "Do you deny that you were there?" he asked. "Reraeraber, I saw you, and I saw him. Do you deny it?" ' , No," she replid. you are, as 1 have done. I could, curse myself for my own trust. -.Who is he?" -"I cannot tell pain"- she stardrnered ; and he se*: her little- white hands wrong togetherin ageday: '9.1)h,. Lionel, trust nee -doridtbelangry_With me;" - "You eatinotexpect me," he said, ale though. he was "alrdtetilid by the sight of her serrow.1 "to knew otediuch an action and not to apeak,of it, 'Lillian. If you explain it, do so. Ifthe ina**as in old lever of yours, tell'Me` se ; din time I may forget -the deceit, if You are frank with me now. If there be any circumstance that extenu-. ate§ prexplains what iii9A did; tell it to me now:" ; d t." she said: and her fair face - drooped sadly ae.. • # enra rnm. "That I quite believe,- ne oueeded....1, bitterly. - "You -cannot and will not. You know the alternative, I i3uppose?" , The gentleeyes wereeraised to his mute appealing sorrowe but she spoke not. "Tell me 110W," he said, "who it was you stele out of- the house to meet --why you met him. Be frank with me ; and, if it was but girlish nonsense, in time I may pardon you. If you refuse, to tell me, I shall_leme Earlecourt and neer look upon your fece again." - She buried her face in her hands-, and he heard a low moan of sorrow come from her white° lips. . • "-Will you •tell me, Lillian ?" he asked again -and -he "neVee forgot the deadly anguish of the face turned toward him. -- "1 cannot," she replied; her v,oice died away, and he thought she was falling from her chair. e "That is your final decision; you refuse to tell me as pier accepted lover, I have a right t� know ?" _ • "Trust me, • Lionel!" she implored. "Try, for, the love yoodbear me, to trust me !" • „ "1 will never believe in any one again," he said. "Take back your promise, Lil- lian Earle; 'Yoh have broken a true . and honest heart, you have blighted a • whole life. Heaven knows whet I shall_ become, drifted from you. I care Inot. You have deceived me. Take back youreing. I will say good-bye toYou. I shall not care to look upon your false, fair face again." "Oh,, Lionel, wait !" she tried. " Give me timedo,not leave Me so!" "Time will -make little difference,' he answered. "1 shall not leave the Hall until to -morrow morning ; you can write _tome if you wish meto remain." He laid the ring -on the table, refusing te notice the trembling, outstretched hand: He could not refrain from looking back at her as he quitted the room. He saw the gentle. facee'so fall of deadly,sorrow, with its white, quiveeing lips • and yet he thought to himself, although she looked stricken with anguish, there was no guilt on the ciear,- fairbrew. _ Ile.turned back from the, door and went -straightto,Lord Earle'. • • "1 shall leave Earlescourt to-morro,w," h4 said, abruptly. 'I ,mut go, -Lord- .. rle ; do not press meto stay." • - Come and go as you will, Lionel," said Ronald, surprised at the brusqueness of his _manner, "Ve re al*ays pleased to see you, , aud sorry to lose you. . You' will return soon; perhaps T' = "1 will write to you in a few -days," he -replied. "I must say good-bve to Lady. _ Earhleew''es stounded. Be SBeatrice and Lord Airlie came up to him -there was a • gen- eral expression of surprise and regret. He, unlike himself, was brusque, and almost haughty. •- Sir Harry and Lady Lawrence had gone home. Beatrice, with a vague fear that something had gone wrong, said She Iwas tired; Lord-Airlie said good -night; and in a few minutes Lady Helena and her son were left'alone. " What has come over Lionel?" asked Ronald. " Why, mether, how .mistakeh I am I Do you know that I quite „believed . he .was falliog in love with Lillian?" "He did that long ago," replied Lady 'Helena, with • a smile. "Say nothing about it. Lionel is very proud and irepe, tuous. I fancy him end Lillian have had some little dispute. Matters -of that kind are, best left alone-teinfcrference always does harind He will.tonie back in a few days, and all will be eight again. Ronald:, there is one question. I have been. wishing to ask you -do not be angry if I pain you, my son; Beatrice will be Married spen- d° you hot intend her mother to be present at the wedding r' • Lord Earle rose :hem his chair, ,end, began as he always did in time of anxiety to po.ce'up and down' the rem. • "I -had not forgotten her claim," he said. " I cannot tell what to do, • mother. It would be a cruel, unmerited slight to pass her over, but Ido not wish to see her. I have fought a, hard fight with -my feelings,. but ',cannot bring myeelfgetee her." "Yet yell= hived het deer7 Much once," _ said Lady Helena. "1 did," he replied; gently. •" Poor Doral" • '" It is an awful ting:to live at enmity with any one," said Lady Helena-" but with one's own wife! I cannot understand it, Ronald:" , •' "You Mistake; -mother,4 he said, eagerly; "1 am not at enmity with Dora. She offended me -she hurt my honor -she pained the in a way I can .never forget." • "Ybu must forgiveher some • day," :re- plied Lady.Earle-" why not now 2" "No," he said, sadly. "1 know -myself -I know what -I can do and *hat I cannot do. • I could not take my wife in my arms, and kiss her face -I could not live with her. • lethal' forgive her, mother, .when all that ie laumanis dying away from me. I shall -forgive her in thp hope of death." • Cid,APTER IXXVIII. r Lillian- Earle was no tragedy queen. • She never talked about Sacrifice or dying, but there was in. her calmegentle nature a depth Of endurance rarely` equalled. She - had never owned, even to herself, how - dearly she loved Lionel Daere-how COM- pletely every tie:night arid hope was centered in him. Since she had first learned to care: for him, she had never looked her life in the face and imagined what it Would be without hien. It never entered her mind to apse herself "Who was it?" he cried; and his eyes at the expense of her sister; the secret bad -flamed so angrily :upon her that she , was been intrusted to her, and, she could not afraid. "Tell me who it was I will fol- conceive the idea of disclosing it. If the low him to the world's end. Tell me.". • choice had -been offered her between death I cannot, Lionel," she whispered I and betraying Beatrice, she wouldhave car.not. For pity's sake keep my secre chosen death, with a simple consciousness "You need not be afraid," he sal , that S118 WW1 but doing her duty. haughtly. shall net betray you to Lord So,,when Lionel uttered those terrible, Earle. Let him find •- out for himself what words -when he found that he had seen' , •-her-she never ieietrf" freeing hereelf.'s d- . from blame1 eied -tTiing the etory. other . Shit,et's :fault. :Hisi words were bitterly-. eiruele they ;stung "-her with sharp peine • She , had never. seen contempt . or scorn- d before prethat.kindly; honest face; new she read bedh; 'Yet'what cduld she do? - . Her-dt d sister's life lay in her hands, and she must ' --- ' -gliard iti , ' ' . • ,OriaCe* l Tll _terehteilnifiefe resh-EIb:ioflosingrPihercruel hitaunts, tu-arnead: -' her, cried rout.for pity and -trust. But -he - had no .tenet ; he stabbed her gentle . heart -:. with his fierce worde,- he seared her with - his hot auger; she might,: at., the.:_expense . of another, have explained all, and stood: stood: .higher than ever in his • este-ewe-hot she -.-- w.oul,l.., .o.:t..d.o..... i- • ., ihe_vaialmostthnelb:hesorrow thtnteeth9r:Lihesawhir.;. with, "rhaughty, , ereet - learing,ddquie" -- thed :drawing -room, and she knew . that, inaleee ' Beatriae &twitted' her:to- ,tell ehim thee truth, she, would never see his face 'again. . Sheeventstraightto hersieter's room, ahd.... waited _for her. ' ', .• . ' . - -.-• d- - - '. The pale facegrevi calm ana -. still; her- d eider tould' not .- refuse - her - request- W She -had told her all; then she§would w to Idonel,:andexplain. He woield not le Earleseoutt ; he weula -only love her better for het steadfast truth. e . - - . - • . ' "Send Sesette.away," she whispered to Beatrice, when she entered; "1- must see' . yeti alone at once?' - - ' - . . e.... Beatrieedieteissed her maid, and then . . tinted to her sister. . _,. . . - d' What ii3 it; Lilly 2 " she . asked: "Yohr face is deathly pale. -What his happened ?"' ' . --. ‘1Beatrice," said Lillian,- "will yo ii let metell your secret t� Lionel I)acre ?- It-- , e- willbe quite sacred with hiria.". - •-- ' --,- - . " To LionelDacre I !! she :cried:de-6'14o, a-- _- theusand- times -.overt. How - can you ask - me; Lilly?.He is Lord Airlie's friend, and "could not:keep it from him. . Why do you: - ask rite..euth an "extraordinary . question?." - "He eaw me. tenight," shereplied ; "he was. out -in. the grothads., ' and. ,eaVe :na speaking to -Hugh. Fernely.".. • : '--" Have . you toia: him: -anything? "- she: .„ . . asked; and. for -a moment Beatrice -looked . despairing. . , - .. . a . - -. , . • - •. -" Netaa, word," said -rill -v; • ", HoW enould I, whenvyouitrusted me? s - - '• .. ' . . " Thti.t is right," returned her . Sister, ..1t, look of elief coming over her fano; d his opinion 'does hot-matt-ee Mech. What did hediay ?" I• - ' d e ' - -. ' d - .• - " Helliotight I.had .been to Meet some - pne-I knew," replied Lillian, _her- fair face _ .gro.tnn. ..-M.se.n. with shame. - .. . ' . . " AFas dreadfully shocked, no doubt," . supple eated. Beatrice, "Wen,' never . -. railed, darling. I am- sorry it happen.ede but it will notheattere T ani SD near -free;e dere and happinese,-I °cannot grieve over it. - He will not surelyetell? -. -HO is tete ' honor- - , ablefor that." -* -- ;... -, - -. ' ,. -_- -. - - - , "No," said Lillian:- dieemily, d' he --will f.' not . d. . "de-• -.. d -.. d - - - r edeThen. de not -leek $6 .scared,-- ,Lilly .;-- . nothing else matters." zi- , - •de :- . -- . . " You forget what- he Must .think of - me," said Lillian,. "Knowing his -upright, truth- `e fialcheracterewhet must he think of,me 2 "...- - - ,-• .:That 'view of thequestimi had not strueke -. „33eatrice. ,She looked grave- and -a,oxieus; ' It was not right for- her sister to be role- - jUdged. -- - .-- e r ; --_. • ,..-- "Tana se sorry," she began, -hilt Lillian interrupted her; she came cleseetedhe.ed, and - -lowered her pale faceoverher. sister's akin.' . "Beatrice," she said, slowly,. " you must =let- me tell , him. . He ceees. for me. He. lev-eii me; I promised to be his wife, 'end. I love him -just as you do Lord Airlie." . ' TInder theshock of-these...words Beatrice Earle satesilentand motionless: - - - "1 lave him," continued Lillian, "1 did' - - ., - .. . - , - . het tell yey.- He seed it was not to :be mentionedeuntil'yen were martied.. I love . him -86 deadly, . Beatrice -and ; when he -7- askedine who it was I_had been to -meet, 1 - could - not .. answer -him. . He :wag very . angty ; he said sharp, cruel 'words to me; and I could " net fel' him hew false :they _' ' Were, - He Will leave 'Earleenceirt e he: Will never lock -Upon my fide, again -unless I d- tellhim.all, ..Heehas-seid so; .and he will -- keep his word .d --Beatrice, Baud', 1.1-0se- my love?" "It would only be '.fore- a tirriai.,-lihe ree. plied; - d1 hate...tet7Self.fer beinVereelfielt,----: _ but I dare not.trhateLiortadDeteree He is . . se impetuous, se- liesteedliediedilla 'betray- :d- rab without rintending to db, so;.but he , - - *cola betray me, as surely as he . knew it.. ' Do you not remember his-sayingtlae. other • day .that it was well for him _ he. had no- seerets, for heecenild'not 'Manage to keep them?" - . : ' d -• . ',-. • - - . di . .., , "He would keep this," pleaded LilliAn,---. " for your -sake and mine." . ' '- . . . . "He would not," said- Beatrice; ' "end I am -so 'near freedom, so -nearehepinneesd. - 2d -e -d Oh, Lilly, you have savedthe once -save: ' me again'. My darling, keep my secret . uhtill ainnearried; then I sweer teyou I .'• ' . tell Lionel every - weed - henota.bly . , ,. . . haYself: and he Will love yohdeubiy. Could ,, . . .. . .yon do this -for. Me ?: " : = - - -' - ' "-It is not fair. to him -he bAs a. eight to- e my- confidence -it .is not fair t� myself,. Beatrice." -- . -..-. : . • ' ..---..` ',- ' .1' One Of US /Mist be sacrificed," returned . het Bider.. "If myself, the'sacrifiee w' lad iny life, will cause my death; if you,. will last, ' t the .mcnit, . only - three' �r four weeks. I e ill -*rite to -Liertel ' on. My .wedding -d ." ' d- - - - ' . . . . "Why: frost -Iiiini..then and. altlt-Alow.?":_ asked Lillian. " Becauseeonefe :married to. Lera-Airlie,' • - I shaft have no fear. ' Thtee.or four. weeks.: ' _ of happiness are not so much to give up for I .d. -yoeir own sister, Lilly. It/ill:Bay:he more. ", k I lea-Ve it for -Tonto -decide," -:e , . -- -...- - "Nay; do rot do that,": said :-Lillian, in - . 'great clistressa "1 cOulci _net:Clear. Myself at your expense "-afact which - Beatrice:. - . understood perfectly well. d ' ' . ' . - ' .. . "Then let the .roetter drest,," . said -her- -sifitor;- "some day I shall be able. to -thank .. yolifor all you have -done for-„"ine-h-I cermet e now. - On my . wedaihgelay •=-E will _ tell - Lionel Dacre that the -girl he -levee is the truest, the -,noblest, . the dearest in the - _ - - • k_vf,e,r1Idt.4-ii, .a.g-aiwo3t.,tai-- yd._ i._b:. et- t-er . juag. ni. e75:67:. .. returned Lilian.:., -.• de- , . ,-.- ' . e '-r. "Du; Against My' Odriecience; judgment; ., love, everything," added Beat -rice; "but it - - -. Viilliades me from:cruel-ruin and. peep?* and it shall:dint -hurt .. you; Lilly -it Shall "-bring" you geode ' not- harm. .-. Now try to . forget it.d Lionetis 'easilymade angry; he .Soon- relent;.eile Will not .know how to . eterie-OYen:for thiej Think ef,your- hap piness when.he returns." . -.. '-de. -. - -- - - - , Slie edreviethe ;gelden -head clewne uPon- . ddinetineed on Seventh pw:-, -