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The Wingham Times, 1911-06-15, Page 7r1 d�e `i Tc, Parted at the Altar By LAURA JEAN LIBBEY, Author of "When Lovely Maiden Stoops to Folly," "oliv'e's Court- ship," "When His Love Grew Cold," Etc. AM+J 114.0U: ".V ,.uy w v •-4. •...w. -. severe apoplectic stroke. We are about to improvise a stretcher and convey him home at once." Deep and sincere was the regret Fred- erick felt for the colonel's affliction. "I should never have aimed nay re- volver at him, gentlemen," be said. "I had intended to fere, into the air," As the duel was thee fpr practically abandoned, F'rederigk retraced his steps homeward. That night he carried out his original intention of leaving Thornton Villa, taking Dare to send his address to the -colonel. His sisters wept, and his mother, • :liaising to the neck of this handsome, manly son, refused to be comforted. "You are going abroad, Fredoriok," € + she said. "You may be gond long years; Perhaps I shall never see you again.'" "Nonsense, mother," he declared. "1 •si}all not be gone longer than three years —four at farthest. The time will soon slip around." "And is it quite true you and Vivian have parted forever, my son?" she asked, wistfully. "Are you quite sure you do not love Vivian?" "Never speak to me of love again, mother,+' he answered, huskily. "My :heart is buried In little Doris' grave." ..CHAPTER XXVII.—DORIS AND FREDERICK MEET AGAIN. 'For three long and weary years Fred- -ercok Thornton, traveled incessantly; but Ms great effort to forget Doris was all in vain. The sweet, dimpled, girlish face was between him aad the sunshine—filled 'bis thoughts—made his life one long re- .gret, "How strange it was," he often told himself, "that he had discovered his love for poor, pretty, Doris in the very' hour that he had lost her so cruelly!" Three years had made little change in Frederick Thornton. He was the same lllandsome Frederick as of old; all save the gay, laughing sparkle in the dark, expressive 1 eyes. That had died out of them forever, leaving them thoughtful and gloomy, with a look of brooding melancholy in them that never left them. Pretty young girls sighed and smiled at the handsome American in vain. He seemed to be oblivioustothe charms of fair women, or else marble -hearted, they often declared. After three years of incessant travel- ing, fate brought him, one sunlit Juno morning, to the little village of Kent, :lying among the Kentish hills. He was <delighted to find there was a forty of ,Americans stopping at the villa acmes the way. Strolling out upon the piazza ,of the hostelry, the first person whom his eyes rested upon was his old college .,chum, Karl Lancaster. "Well, by all that's Wonderful, if it isn't Fred Thornton P' exclaimed Karl, cheerily, as he wrung his old friend's hand in the greatest delight. "This ie, .indeed, a surprise. Where in the world ..did you drop from?" "I came up from London for a few -weeks' quiet," exclaimed Frederick, add: ing: "I return to New York at the end of the month." "The deuce you do!" exclaimed Karl, impulsively. "Do you think I shall cone sent to lose my old chute so easily? N0, indeed! You will make a valuable acqui• sition to our little party." "Who is there among your party'?" in- quired Frederick. "Only ley mother and father, father's ward—Mies Fielding—and myself. We have just got thief two noble lords and an earl who persisted in . following us about from place to place, having been smitten with father's ward; but finding their suit useless, one by one gave up in despair, and went his way." Frederick smiled. "You must come over and dine with us to -day, and I will present you to, Miss Fielding; but I warn you beforehand, • . de not attempt to fall in love with her." "No doubt you have hopes.in that. direction," smiled Thornton. "But you • SR HAll CONSllMPION, Dr., Wood's ,Norway y Pine Syrup - Cured Her. Weighed 135 Pounds— No* weighs 17L 44.414. Mrd. Charms McDermott, Bathumti writes: --"I thought I would Write and let you know the benefit I have .received through the use of Dr. Wood's Norway Ping Syrup. Three years ago Y had eonsimaption. X had three doctors attending me mid they were very ranch alarmed about my condition. X was so weak and miserable I could not do my housework. 'While looking throb:el your, B.D.B. nlmanao X saw that Dr,, Wood's Norway Pine Syrup was good for weak itmgs, so X got a bottle at the drug ato and after. taking ten bottles I was coin-' pletely cured, At that time I weighed 135,ponndo and now weigh 37 ends inB 172, a gain of po three cera. I now' keepit in the house all years. the time and Would not be without it for anything, as I owe trey life to it." Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup Con• Mitts thelung healing virtues of the Norway Pine tree, which combined with t ,cam ell other absorbent,expectorantandsoothing enedir Ines, makes it without a doubt the beat remedy for coughs, colds bronchitis and till throat and lung. troubles. • Prise 25 cents at all dealers. ''Beware of ireitatlons. The genuino is mender.' tired only by tboT.3btfin`t , i Toronto, I`.� ..r u,{ a need not fear a revel in nio. I have got- ten over being a beauty worshiper, 1 ai- \goy.s aaoiti women, when I can." "I hope you are not going to turn out a cynical woman hater," declared Kari - "That would never do, Never! "1 shell expect you to dine with us to -day, and I shall not take 'No' for an answer," said Karl again, at parting. "In that Ouse, it would be useless to give any other answer than one in the aiiirmative," smiled Frederick; "so I shall probably put in an appearance some time during the afternoon. Kindly re- member me to your father and mother." After a little the friends parted, Karl going toward the villa, and Ireder 1eb Thornton strolling leisurely down the flolerstrown path that led toward the river that lay smiling beyond. ,How long he stood there, in a dreamy reverie, on the primrose bordered bank ho never knew. He was aroused at length by the sound of hurried footsteps, . and turning his head slightly, a sight met his view that he never forgot until his dying day. From an abrupt curve in the path-- ieonaingly from out of the vary heart ,of a thicket ol.reises-.•stepped a young girl, a tall, slim, lovely creature, graceful as a !awn, with a Nee ao radiantly lovely id its lair, dimpled, girlish beauty as to almost take his breath away at the first fatal glance, Surely the summer sunlight had never fallen went a fairer picture than this beautiful, golden -haired young girl. She was hurrying along so swiftly, she did. not perceive the tall, handsome stranger leaning against the trunk of a tree, gazing at her so intently. She passed yso near Frederick, he could have put out his ?,and and touched her dress; 'and saddenly, in that instant, a Musing, sportive breeze caught the broad sun -bat that was tilted down over her curls, lifted it from her head, and hurled it directly at Frederick Thornton's feet. Quickly he stooped to recover•it. "Permlt me," he said, extending the hat by its blue ribbon with one hand, and raising his own with a courteous bow with the other. - The young girl started back with a low cry of terror, and looked into' bis faoa, clutching one hand tightly over her heaet. As the reader' has already imagined, it was Doris. After three long years she stood face to face with Frederick Thornton again. And she save, too, that he did not recog- nzie her, so great was the change in her. All, it watt little wonder he did not, be- lieving Doris to be lying oold in her Oahe ea the other side of the blue, roll- ing Atlantic. He heard the low, gasping cry, and saw the blanching of the lovely dimpled cheeks. "I beg a thousand pardons if I have startled you," he said, eagerly. "I fancied you must have seen me standing here ae you came down the path." Doris received the hat from his hand with a Iittle nervous bow. She could not trust herself to answer hind, so great was her emotion; she almost fancied she would fall down dead at his feet in the long, primrose -studded grass, What reply she made, she never knew. Turning away, she hurried swiftly dowft the path. "Frederick Thornton!" she murmured, pantingly, when she was quite out of sight and heltring—"Ah, heaven, what can he be doing here?" She was so strangely exacted, flushing and paling 'by turns, that the quite alarmed Mrs. Lancaster when she re- turned to the villa. "Why, what is the matter, my dear Doris?" she exclaimed, in dismay: "Really, you. look as though you had seen a ghost." Before Doris could reply she went on quickly: "I 'want you to look your best this evening, Doris dear, for Karl brings an old friend to dine with us --a Mr. Thornton. He was a great friend of Karl's at college. I have known his family intimately for years." "You will have to excuse me this evening, Mrs. Lancaster," pleaded Doris. "I bave the most Severe headache I have ever had in all my life." Looking into the fhtshed face and un - neutrally brilliant eyes, who could doubt it? "Lie clown and take a short rest, my dear," suggested Mrs, Lancaster. "Yost will be all right by evening." Still Doris lingered. How she longed to ask if Vivian wee with hien, but pride forbade, Of course, believing himself free, be had married Vivian long since. Frederick Thornton had stood gazing after that slim, girlish figure with the strangest sensation at his heart that he had over exporienoed. "Pshawl" he muttered, impatiently, striking a match on the sole of his boot, and proceeding to light a diger. "Some- how the features of that young girl's face remind me strangely of poor little Doris, Perhaps Doris would have grown into just such a superb Creature if she had. lived. Can 'that be 111iss. Fielding, Y wonder?' ho mused. He presented . himself punctually at the 'cilia. The doctor and his good wife, and Karl, Welcomed him cordially; but the face he longed to see (it, indeed, the pretty young girl he had met was Mies Fielding) was net there. "I ane sorry Miss Fielding has a head- ache,, and Cannot be presented to you,e' said Mrs. Lancaster, smilingly. "How ever, this is not to be your Iasi visit to the villa; we shall expect to see a great deal of you while yeet ate staying In .the village."" I ""Perhaps x have met Miss Fielding already," replied Frederiok, smiling; and he proceeded to recount the ndvother° Clf the morning, minutely describing the young girl, "Yes, that is ley htsband'a ward," declared Mrs. Lancaster. "Mott shreiitd you and et guessing, my dear Mr. Thorn tun." lerdin that day Frederick Thornton ni to call aver ria.. found an opporttt ty y y et the Vllla,but by somo. strange chanee he Was hover able to find the (looter's lovely young ward there. Once he fancied he Paw the flutter of a white dress Teat* ins the library by one door at he catered by another. At lest he surprised her one day by glifmttir time unobserved t with Mrs, `i'11 E WINO,AK TIMES, JUNE 13 1911 Lancaster, an hour ,earlier' than he usu- ally called, For a single instant the zoom seemed whirling around Dorip. Ae fit ft dream she heard Mrs. Lancaster go through the formulaula al.G he introduction. otion . She heard Frederlok �hornton may, "X ant happy to meet you, Mise Fielding," then to her dismay, Mrs, Lancaster was called away, and they were left alone to, gather, lie had lookzd into her eyes, heard her volae, and had not recognized her; and she told hereolf, with a bitter smile, that tabs would never betray her fdeutity to hitn--neyerl He should never know that she was the same Doris to whom he had been bound by that fatal midnight mar- riage, and who had deserted hor so cruelly at the very altar almost. He had not grieved to have the fetters that bound him to herself snapped asunder by her death, she felt sure, Of course, he was Vivian'shusband long since, and could, therefore, be .nothing to her now —less than nothing—and quite ancone, soiously her face grew cold, hard and haughty with superb sown ae ho gazed at her, At that moment Karl entered the drawing -roam, and Doris took the oppor• tunity to escape from his presence in. stoutly. Frederick Thornton looked after Miss Fielding in wonder not unmixed with pique. Why did this lovely young girl take such an aversion to him at fleet sight? Why ? It y did she avoid hint so persist- ently? be asked 'himself, vexedly. He could not understand, yet, despite this knowledge, he seemed drawn as by a tnagnot each day to the villa. CHAPTER X.KVIIL•—A SHADOW. That one glance at the dark, hand- some lace of Frederick Thornton awak- ened all the old bitter-sweet memorise is Doirs's heart again. She tried to avoid him, but from that hour Frederick Thornton followed Doris about like a shadow. One evening they met at a grand ball. Doris had heard them say he would not be there. Therefore she much surprised to see him standing by hes side. "Are you engaged for the next wattle, Miss Fielding?" he asked, taking the pearl and gold tablet from her hand. Doris drew back, her lovely lace pal- ing. Even her lips lost their color. Waltz with him h Ah, nu! She could not. How ooule she feel his breath upon her cheek, the clasp of his strong arm around her, and know that he was an- other's—that ho had lost her forever- more? '"I should prefer dancing any other than a waltz with you, Mr. Thornton," she said. He certainly felt piqued. Any other young lady in that grand, glitter- ing ball room would have been pleased ,to have'tivaltzed with him, he well knew, "May I put my name down for the next quadrille, then?" he asked, with charming grace; and as Doris could And no reasonable excuse for refusing him, she bowed a cold assent. To her horror, she found it was, after all, a waltz.quadrille. She could not escaped from him when they were out on the floor together. She was obliged to go through the dance with him. Yet Frederick Thornton could not help but notice how she shrank from the touch of his hand and the clasp of his arm. And again he asked himself in the deepest wonder, why had this young girl taken such an aversion to him. That one waltz -quadrille undid the work of years. Doris had thought that she had sohooled her heart against' him; but love was not to be disciplined thus easily.. She realized that the Doris of twenty loved handsome Frederick Thorn- ton a thousand times more deeply than. the Dore; of seventeen had done. That was childish, beautiful love; this was the full, passidnato strength of a woman's love—the love that blesses or curses human hearts. From that hour Frederick Thornton followde Dori& about like a shadow. He took great °are to place himself in every sot with her. If she strolled out on the balcony, on looking up she was' sure to find him near her. If she seated' herself at the piano in the grand drawing -room, she would find, him at, ker side, ready to turn the music for her. She curled her crimson lips in the deepest scorn as she looked at him. He had been untrue to the memory of poor hapless Doris. Now he would be untrue to Vivian's memory by sunning himself in another's smiles, she told herself. "Why wok Vivian not with him?" she wondered. Then she remembered it was not unusual for gentlemen to go abroad without their wives. No doubt Vivian had not chosen to come, There was one who looked on with darkening brow as Frederick Thornton hovered at Doris's side; ' one who turned away as though the sight were bitter pain to him•, although he had noticed Doris did not encottragattentions.e t h Pse Karl Laneaster could not endure the -.thought of Doris smiling upon another. A sudden coldness sprang up between the. two- young men, and Karl was pleased whet his father nnnounoed his intention of returning home. A fortnight later, the Lanoasters took up their summer quarters at the Ocean ut2We•s Avie Exhausted • n 'r)ervous Prost -attain or 'paralysis is,creep)ng steadily upon you. t .a: n••11; of le•ee1e suddenly falling I•'tilll- of 11, rvous prastretinn or ;me form of 1:1.telysis. But whoa •..n get :1]; the Imes ;f tl.e egse yon i• d that they .lave had Irlentil9 of (•f 1 netting. 1"t' 11,: e, .'l sle, t well. There has f;•," . nt--ttt:eks , f ti.-i'VOus 1.^.e''e. 1):", •tilfm bas. failed, They <' Leen 1 'i - il,]ee. oneiiy Worried , , ever it a':d i'nve fi,t:fui Memory I gane weer ' t Failing% t':wy l.ut ]mown that these ,a.::::< ! of ('xhltuste<l nerves +•1 ger the t rt l their n, nix "n].] Imre re sten d the feeble., weed,, .1 nerves by 'Mae of suet treattncilt e• Dr. (` es:'s Nerve Food. This great restorative tt atment encs by forming new, rill blood and r('l,t .th'i'n' the wasted nerve Cels. , Itea•111 tale Is More certain to prove •1 lasting benefit to the aystrin. 5!) •";'iia a 1,•<s. ti boXe' fear $2.50; at all eleee nr f!''lmnnsiin, Bates t' Co., Pgpaeu Lynn+, a.1ewpers, ant, xtarie wen re onee proclaimed the beauty and belie of the season. Ta Doris's dien)ay, Frederick Thornton followed thorn. Again bo sought and improved every opportunityofcults ati n beautiful i se Fielding's acquaintance, There was a Pertain dash Of ]romance about it, owing to the fact the girl seemed to detest and avoid hixn so. Frederlok Thornton was by no means Gain, Vet he was not band to his own aocornpllshinents, and the favor is wbieh ho was held by the charming belles who graced the beach. It was quite useless for bewitching young,girls to single him out as the handsomest and hest catch of the season. He was proof against all their pretty arts. of coquetry, their coy blushes and bland,. jebments. It' Was soon, whispered about that he had no eyes nor ears for any one save the beauty cad belle,' Mies Fielding. He was not to be won, that was evident, "Why does he follow me about so per- sistently, ersistently, I wonder?" Doris often thought to herself. It often occurred to her to warn those pretty girls that the idol they were so eager to worship was married; that he had no right to give to the world the'impression that he was single --free to woo and win them. Mrs. Lancaster watched young Mr. Thornton's persistent 'wooing with anx- iety for her own son's sake. Once she attempted to discover the state of Doris's heart by close questioning in regard to her ardent admirer, but Doris funned such a pale, pained face toward her that she cried out in alarm, '<Ilo not mention Frederick Thornton's name to me. I hate hire," she geld, in a quick, stifled voice; and before Mrs. Lan- caster could recover from the astonish- ment of witnessing this vehement out- burst of mission from the usually quiet Doris, the girl had quitted the room. That day a strange, reckless resolve came to Doris, She would cease avoid- ing Frederick Thornton so. She would learn to control herself better than this, that the sound,of his voice,,the touch of his hand, the glance of his eyes agitated her so. It almost seemed to Doris that the whole world must read her secret. She loved him t That afternoon, when Frederick Thorn- ton joined a group of young girls on the sea shore, among whole was loris, he noticed with a thrill of pleasure that she dill not turn and walk abruptly away as usual; and he flattered himself that the willful beauty, who had taken such an aversion to him, was beginning to look upon him more kindly. The group of chattering young girls made way for him. He flung himself down on the white beach at Doris's fent; but the graceful, golden head, after a slight inclination, was turned proudly away from the face gazing up into her own. "I want you to settle a dispute for us, Mr. Thornton, if you will," said a be- witching little brunette, laying a little mite of a hand, in a half -careless, half - caressing way, on his arm. "I am try- ing to induce those timid girls to take a dip in the sea waves with me. I have al- ready half persuaded Miss Fielding. If she goes, the rest will follow. Now, add your entreaties to mine, and tell them the sea waves will be delightful, this ter. rihly warm afternoon." Frederick Thornton looked up in swift alarm. "I think Miss Fielding was quite right In hesitating to trust the water to -day; there is danger in its wooing. Do you see'how high the breakers dash on the shore? I have been told that it•betokens a swift, treacherous undercurrent.'•' "Oh, how cruel of you to say that, Mr. Thornton!" pouted the little hrun• ettc, who was quite an expert swimmer among the breakers and longed to show her dexterity in battling with the huge waves. "Of course your opinion will de- cide Miss Fielding, and nl'y ellquent arguing of an hour's duration has been all in vain." "I think not," returned Doris, very quietly. "I` havo n10tie up my mind to go into the surf with yau. The little brunette looked delighted; Frederick Thornton looked as he felt— much annoyed. "Why do you wish. to court danger, Miss Fielding?" he asked, in a low voice. "You can see for yourself' how heavy the sea Is. I beg of you do not bo tempted into the surf." Doris crested her beautiful golden head, looking down at him with cold, proud eyes. She would have gone now, even if death itself stared her in the face, just to show him how lightly she valued his opinion. "Why do you take so much interest in this matter?" asked Doris, sharply, The words, "Because I love you so madly " sprang to his lips; but he forced them back, This was neither the time nor the place to utter then?. He smiled, and a tender look came into his fine, dark eyes. "Would I not lift my voice, stretch out My hands, ands to save a rash child from rushing headlong into danger? or turn aside from its course a bird that was seemingly bent upon fluttering straight into a trap? You are like the child and the bird; yon must be saved from the fruits of your own folly." With a haughty toss of her golden, curly head, Doris picked up her book and lace sunshade, and walked away, Frederick looked thoughtfully out over the water. In that moment his mind had flown back to the hapless girl -bride Who had found death in the cold, cruel waves, The impulse came to hitt to follow Miss Fielding, abet tell her the stbry of poor, hapless little Doris, It was strange that, in the presence of this beautiful girl, whom he had learned to love so passion- ately, his mind always went book to poor little Doris, who had loved him So well; Miss Fielding, in some vague way, re- minded him so much, at times, of Doris. although ]leis Fielding was 0 beauty and belle, surrounded by wealth, luxury and admirers; and little Doris eves only a timid school -girl, whose girlish heart he had won unknowingly. A half hour later, as he paced the ver- anda of the hotel, loolcing out seaward, he saw a group of bathers battling with the breakers. Ills heart almost stood still. Ile recog- nized the foremost ono, upon whose golden head the sunlight fell; it was Aliss Fielding; Heir madly the ituga leaves dashed over the four young,,tiris who elung to the ropes with their slender white hands, "They' have found the water much ton rough for them; just as I predicted," he mused, strolling meehanlcally down the beach. Doris sites hire Conning toward tlferu, and a reckless, delimit light flanged into her blue ores. "1 will show hire how little 1 think of his warning," she thanght, striking out fuggy a rod ahead ee her companions. Alas! for 'willful defiant, Doris, it Was e fatal move,. Ali to an layout see ere. - feed it, The great waves carried her far out of the reach of the protecting ropes, and 1u a single Instant more the trench- once undercurrent currant dragged her down.n . o i Hoarse cries echoed from hundreds of throats as the horrified spootators real, ized what had happened.. Idefore a lift* boat could be put out the girl would be ,swept out to sea, But in that moment of horror a young man had torn oft ills coat, and sprang into the waves to herresoue, "Courage!" he shouted, "1 will' save you, or diel" The young man was Frederriek Thorn, ton, CiIA#"TER =IX—SAVED HT LOVE. In an instant the greatest excitement prevailed. Was the young man mad, to risk his lite so eepklessly among the wild, dashing breakers? they asked themselves, breathlessly.. 'i'hey strained their eyes and held their, breath. It certainty looked no though two lives would be lost instead of one. Prayers went up from women's hearts; men muttered, hoarsely, "God strepghen hid arm)" and through the moments that followed they watehed with bated breath, the intense silence broken only by the loud, hoarse mur- murs of the breaker. ' Frederick Thornton was young and strong,and an er ex swimmer, but t w r the P , odds were fearfully against him. He struck out bravely tor the shining mark that was drifting out so swiftly to sea, "Courage! courage!" he shouted to her again. "x will save you or die with you" Doris heard'him, and the words in- spired her with new life. She hold out her white arms to him with a wild. piteous cry, and then a huge• wave dashed over her, completely concealing her. The mad water, hissing, boiling and churning around him, seemed to laugh in wild glee at his efforts to cheat theta of their prey. Down, down he struck after her, swifter than arrow -flight, drenched, choked, blinded by wave and spray, and en instant later he turned and struck boldly for theshore, holding the form of Doris in his arms. But reaching the shore was no easy task. The great waves beat him back, and hie herculean efforts seemed to prove futile, as, sure as fate, he realized they were drifting out to sea. He saw the life -boat that wa's put out, but could it reach them? Could his strength last that long? He was strong and sinewy, yet it was no light task to hold that heavy burden with his left arm, striking boldly out with the right. All this occurred to the girl who clung to hire in pale bravery, "Leave mo, Frederick," she gasped, piteously. "It will be all you can do to save yourself." "You think I am coward enough for that?" he cried out, with a sharp accent of pain. "You think I would save my- self and let you perish?" And she an- sw'ered, simply 1 -- "Why not? It is all you can do. The life -boat can never reach us." "I'll never leave you while I have life! You would be stvept down in a minute. We will live or die together!" ho Dried, nolding her fast, and battling heroically with the mad waves. "Go!—leave me to my fate!" she panted, wildly. "Go—for my sake, Fred- erick --because I—love—you!" And with those words she fell back In his arintt in a dead faint. IIIIII I<�III�III III(IIIIf IIII II IIIIII�llrllll'11111111111111I'll '<n � m �,.-i`�ii= il'egetublePreparationfor s similating1 rooddndRegula- tlit3 trig Storttrh5 and.Bowels of 'bili % : .' 4C Proulote$Digestion,Cheerful- nessandRest.Cofttains neither Opiurn,Morphine flog Minerai. NOT NARC OTIC. 4.444.444.11444 1a7npeafOte .7r.£41. 12PITI t Tiuty ,n ,110,1- Aix.Sc na . Reeiette,fein ,rte+rre yea. . Iterrnint - <t5i l ufenoaJ'almeq-Ae - ('o diyar Wigavyicen• from Apared Remedy forConstipa- tion, Sour Stotlfach,Diarrhoea, Worms ,Convuls ions,Feverish- ness and LOSS OF SLEEP FacSicnile Signature of cit NEW YORK. TORIA For Infants and Chii,dren. The Kind You Have Always Bought Bears the Signature of ii In Use For Over Thirty Years EXACT COPY 0P WR,,iPPER. mei%4 IA TNC CCNTAVR. COMPANY NCW YORK CITY. age -eget. ,,eeeeeateieereeetee allowance, while Miss Fielding was al- ready an heiress in her own right. "Did she think I meant to woo and win her for the sake of her wealth?" Anger and wounded pride came to his rescue, blunting the sting of her stormy words. If there was onelass of men he had always detested above others it was ,fortune hunters. And the thought that he should be classed as one of those despicable creatures cut to his heart like the sharp thrust of a dagger. The next morning the deplorable news was circulated among the young Iadies that Mr. Thornton had left the. hotel the night before. "Oh, how provoking!" they chorused in a breath. "And the 'season at its height, too. How we shall miss hint at the hops! He was a charming gallant, How provoking that • the attraction was not strong enough to keep him here to the end of the season." And more than one glance was mali- ciously turned toward Doris. Doris turned quietly to the pretty blonde who had made the remark. "Perhaps he went because the attrac- tion elsewhere was strongest—as It should be in his case. I believe Mr. Thornton to--be—married." "Married)" echoed the little group, in amazement. "Surely that cannot be, Miss Fielding. What reason have you for thinking so, and who is the lady?" "Some three years ago he was be- trothed to Miss Vivian Courtney. He loved her—and I have every reason to believe—married her,". returned Doris, in a low, faint voice. "Indeed you aro mistaken," declared ape of the group, briskly. "He was en- gaged to Miss Courtney, it Is quite true,. but for sotto unexplained reason, the marriage was broken off. He went abroad, and about that time her father died of a fit of apoplexy. A year ater, after waiting in vain for her hendtome lover to return and make up their quar- rel, pretty, dark -eyed Vivian married a wealthy sea captain for his gold. They had anything but a happy life of it, and at last he died, and his young widow is spending the money ae fast as she can. I read in one of the society journals she was expected hero this season. No doubt she has heard that her old lover is here. I and is following flim up. And, learning that handsome Frederick Thornton has taken French leave, taking to himself the friendly warning to `beware of vid- ders.' A wisp man knows better than to ncoura them." e a Lho g Doris listened like one turned sud- denly to stone. The long poroh with its groups of promenaders, the white beach and the long stretch of restless sea be- yond, seemed to whirl around her. Ah, heaven! had she heard aright, or was this a cruel moekery of the senses? Viv- i fan and I!rederick had parted—three— years—ago? Ah, surely it could not have been! They loved each other too well for that. And believing himself free to woo altd Win Vivian, what had conte between them? Could it be that his onnsc enme had Stilitt(n him when he came fate to face , net night with the poor child -bride when; ;11 had married o:;ly t0 desert, did tors ov er cn h' ith the and ltd rel 1 e c r u0 )m w i.hoale4go she had sought death to set him fr eY Auld was it ]leaven's retribution upon him, she wondered, that he should Meet her :tonne, atul knowing her not•• -•she Was 10 change in name, face and fortune —fall deeparately fn love with her? '!hat he did lave her now, 'IO' could not doubt! Had he not per lied his life fur laist Was there ever Mance), talk of Ie,^^,• than C; utl Ana she bad sent him t1,3-••-nh, 'Yrnel, 11eel! ' Anil yet, 1110 spirit o: that other ])aria carted ant to her for veugealu'.'! Ile 711)14 sinter as she ha suffered, lin mutt feel, pang for pan;'. the cruel torture t,1'. 111M11Oite,i 1(,' such es she had 1, It in the it,t(1r of that never -to -be forgotten 'tour when kindly- str.11llters, 11itOlui her '.11;1) and bur ft iota 551)0ss, lint broken t:!le heart rendil.i: t'r r h t.) her ••v -•that he 111111 forsaken In r. Perhaps it was those words that im- btied him with new life. and budyed him up until the life -boat reaohod him. Five minutes later, amid lusty cheers and glad cries of women, Frederick Thornton laid Doris down on the white sand among the motley throng that bad assembled there. From that hour hand- some Frederick Thornton was the here and idol of the belies of Newport. Ie was a weak before Doris was sumeiently recovered to venture down tb the parlor to' thank. him for saving her life. It was evening; the chandeliers were lI+ghted, throwing a soft, mellow light over the marble hails tend vast parlors, and out ulna the stretch 0t beach be- yond, lying so white in the clear, bright starlight. Doris saw him out on the veranda, pacing to and fro, smoking a cigar: Silently she orossod the veranda and stood before him. like a vision in her clinging dress of soft, fleecy white. "I nm come to thank yolt for what you have done' for me, Mr. Thornton," she said, with an unconscious flutter In her voice, extending both her hands. "I thank you so inueh words will not ex- press my indebtedness. Why did on do it? It night have cost you your own life. Oh, why did you do so much for me, Mr. Thornton?" He took both her trembling hands. "We will walk down on the beach to- etller, and I will tellyou why," he g , y, answered. f o v smooth the troaolterous, smiling sea looked under the brilliant starlight, How clear the silver moon looked, coyly hiding her sweet face behind the soft, white clouds, like a blushing bride be- hind her white veil. What a glamor there was over land and sea as they walked silently along under the mellow moon- beams, Iistening to the museea1 murmur of the sighing waves. Suddenly Frederick Thornton stood still, looking down into the lovely Nee, his hand involuntarily closing and hold- ing prisoner the little trembling one that lay eon his arm. "You asked me why I risked my life to save yenta, I will answer you now. It Was bloat nee I love you with all the strength of my heart, with all the strength of fay soul. Without you, life 1v0111d bo a blank; with you, it Would be a paradise. 1 love you with the mighti- est love pian ever felt for woman—a lova that Would brave all the dangers of earth and sea to win you. You told toe out on the water that lou--" Tho sontenco never was finished. Doris turned upon him like a flash. "Your Iove!" she panted. "Heaven help the Woman who believes in it. It is as false and cruel as death itself. Hush Not another word. I wilt not hear it. Never speak to me again. I would put the whole world between tis if I could. in daring to speak to un0 of love, you have cancelled the debt of g:atitndo• I OW('li 7011." ilefore Frederick Thornton could find ]ds voice to reply, site had Ilea. He 1 111)11 himself stranding, alone, list in re , mem, of bewilderment on tint braelt. ".1m 1111111, nr do oretime" he eri(4, homer1y, " 1!y Ie,ve--can instate What e.21) 511x1 1),eatrt: " Then •luthlenl7 0 strange light seemed t,1 11 ea; in 111,ee 1111(1. 1r: 11115 11; 0hnr 1 i,i,rnt;'1's ' 1 11, a.ld lu•ie t0 11 111111100 11,8 1 a 1' ; (ir411', hilt 11.1 1115 (.110 11t: lied but a lender:lee P' _eA11<i'R1) AGA N. CII.1a Ie N`.\. i "et nen 1 fors et the past, there 1 will f, '1ivo him—never until then," Doris t.,al„ht, hitteeiye eh* trne(1 to talo up the old lie* again, 1 a teeel to be as happy as she was b: fort I're,h•fiele 1!1<rrgnon grossed her pater few the see(.nd time. Ibit it Vas at tail: ))0- vend her pceonpliohiileut. A, volCa was .forever crying out to her:— "You have won his lova at last. Why did you break hie heart and your own too, by sending him away from you?” The thought that poor, hapless Doris of the past was avenged brought her no comfort. Should she write to him and recall him? He was still her husband; yes, her husband! Her heart gave a great. sudden thrill at the thought. "No, no, she would not recall him. Her pride rebelled against this. He should not have gone away so hastily, The following weak, among the neve arrivals, came the charming young widow, Vivian Carsdale. That evening, for the first time since that cruel event, which had happened three long years be- fore, Vivian and Doris met again. face to face. Vivian turned a ghastly' white, even under her plentiful supply of pearl rouge. "Who is that young girl?", she cried, incoherently, turning to one of the ladies standing near, and indicating Doris. "That? Why, Miss Fielding—the belle of Newport!" returned her companion, gazing admiringly after Doris's tall, slim, graceful figure. "Why, how white you look, Mrs. Carsdale! What, can ba the matter? You look as if you had seen a ghost." "I almost imagine I have," retorted Vivian, turning abruptly away. "Was there ever a face so like?" unut- tered Vivian, when she found herself alone in her own boudoir. "If I did not know that Doris was sleeping under the waves, I should say that the girl 1s Doris, older, and grown taller, with the same features, yet a thousand times more beautful." She took great bare to place herself near Doris the next day, where she could Iisten to her voice, observe every play of those mobile features; and again it struck Vivian as to how like this girl's voice was to that of Doris, In that same hour these two, whose paths had crossed each other so strange- ly, were presented to each other. "You remind ane so strangely of one whom I used to know," said Vivian, sweetly, "that, do 7021 lcuow, 1 :4111 al- most lost in wonder sometimes, the similarity is 10 striking." She wee watching Doris narrowly, and saw the flash and the look of contusion that crossed her lovely face, The more Vivian talked to Miss Field- ing, the more a certain wild idea that hid taken poeeeselen oI her 1'eeame :11•engtl'rn' d in her mind. Very in0eninns}7 Vivien led the eon- variation around to eat—teatime. "Where were you educated, Miss F ield- ing?" the asked, suddenly. And 111toet intently, without- stopping to think, Doris had ;uttered o e! the ferrel 1',;1(15 that Sta'14:14° 1.) h<. }!;15:— "At Madame 1)elmalr's *'clilfnal'y, Bet eh (,rove, Meryl:mi." Milian uteeted a little stifling scream. All her doubts now verged int; assns- antes. With li•}1tning•like rapidity, she turned upon the shrinking girl before her. No change of appea ranee, nothing ill this world, mold have veiled 1)oris's identity from the rival who had hated her with such a bitter hatred three long years ago I "I know you. Von eann0t deeeivo MO," she tried, shrilly. "Yon are !)oris I3randon, the girl who stop' my lover from me, because I trusted ,'"t to deliver a letter to hint. You are not dead, then, You haat i risen from the grave to come between us again. Now titin I think of it, the body supposed to have been drowned was never found. \thy are you dere sailing under Wee colors;' Zeiss Fielding, indeed'. You shall be denounced as an impostor before tv-xtteerow's sun Like a whirlwind, site tinned and left Dolls standing stunned, dared, bewilder- ed, on the sunlit veranda. 'Like one end- (ietrly striel.en hliud, elm 1 111.1y ;;roped her wiry to her 011'11 roor)t,!!< "What 4111 Vivian intuli.l 6(' do?" she asked herself, unit it 4re111 uaspinfe sob. 1T1:d it been attell a to ri}"1e tan, whenea ""Mad from life's,llia:nrt', I tiled to death's&uys;<'iy,,' ' 1:) a irltutie moment, elm had 11nn(^ here ' Reif into the water? :she knew )low 10111,rly 'new an :agent would be eontiemned--t}tlt the 1t:dte0 of the 11tn1! 111011d be—No 101.11er licit` hard she had 1'nnn11 life, elle 511on141 have t;11«en up ire.' 1,'n:;s -with l.11ieni0 and (.1 1 b t.Ofltiitlirit,)