A Wasted Love

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1208, 24 December 1904, Page 4

A Wasted Love

raßHnHD<lii< by her. HHHBnßHpmppy, •; her on did so she IH's of tfliffcn the black satin and she rooked up into the proud hand, some face appealingly, "Youare unhappy, too!" she said ten derly, appealingly. ''lt was you I heard!" " Novermind me," said the couiitess. " Something has happened! What is it ?" Irene hid her{ace, "Seymour hns askedmcto be his wife!" she said in a low voice. The countess' arm tightened, and Irene thought eho felt her shudder "Seymour! Well?" " Oh, madam, I could not, I could not?" whispered Irene. "You could not," said the countess with forced calm. "Why not? You do not, love him ? Is that it ?" "Yes 1" came the whispered responso. "Yes, I told him so, but—but ho was angry and said things ■" She slopped. The countess smoothed the golden hair which had fallen loose over Irene's forehead and neck almost shrouding her faco. "He said things nboul—lioyce P" said the countess slowly. "Yes, yes 1 Things that were not truel Oh madam, if you will only let me speaki If you will only listen to me, and let me tell you what I have heard to-night —'' The countess seemed about to remove her arm, but Irene clung and nestled against her elosely, appealingly "One of tho the officers from the Garrison told mc—the one who sat next to mo. Ho knows everything, the whole truth—tho wliolo truth uwdrtui; and he says that Royce was not to blamo, that ho need not huve lelt tho army, that ho might go back if Boymour wonli l tako his part I It is true I All his brother olltcors aro on Boyce'B side I Ah, if yon had hoard this gentleman speak of him I Everybody loves him and admires him, everybody; and—oh, think of it dear madam-how cruel wo have been to him! We haye pent him away in disgrace wbilo ho was not to blame, but ought to have had our pity and sympathy I Oh, madam, dear, dear madam, you would not lot me say auything for him the day he went away, but you will lot me speak now ? Yon will forgive him —why, there is nothing to forgive! It is he who must forgivo us 1 You will find him and lot him come buck 1 You will, for —for—" sho pressed her face against tho countess' bosom, and whispered, its if with shame, the last words, " for uiino I' The countess stood silent for a moment, then Irene glancing up timidly saw that the tears were coursing dotvn tho proud face.

"Is I —is this true?" came from tho quivering lips at Inst. "Are you sure it is true ?" "It Is true I I will answor for it with my life, every word I" responded Irene, sinking on her knots and winding her whito arms round tho conntoas. ''You will forgive him, yon will take him back ? Ah, I bob you will! Think, dear, be may bo wandering about tho world penni'ess, porhnps hungry and ill." . The countes? put out her hand and let it full trembling on Irene's head, " Hush—hush I" she murmured brokenly. "I—l cannot bear any morel If it be true thenShe stopped suddenly and caught her brooth.

" Yts, Ireno, ho must cotno back I My heart is breaking with longing to seo him I boy, my boy I" she sank into a chair, and it was now Irene's turn to try and keootho and culm. Tho outburst of tho mother's yearning was almost terrible, "On, don't cry sol" limrniured irone, "Be calm, dear 1 We will find him and bring him homo, tnd then we will all bo happy I He will forgivo us and yon will be happy once uiorc, dear. Let mo stay and help to undross you ? May I stay with you nil night? I should love to I Wo shall not Bleep perhaps, either of nn; but wo can talkofßoyce, dear Roycol" Bho put her arms round the countess and kissed her lovingly, und was beginning to unfasten tho lace round her nook, when a knock was heard at tho door. Both women started, and the countess rose and dashed the tears from her oyes as if afraid lest her weakness should ba seen by a second porson, " Who can it be, Madam; Louiso tho maid?" "No I havo sent her to bed," said tho countess in a low voice. Then she said aloud," who is there?" "I, Seymour," came tho rosponso. " I want to soo jou for a moment," The countess laid her hand upon Ireno's arm to roassuro her, then went and oponed tho door, Ho start das ho saw Irene. Ilis faco was flasfae], and wore a thinly voilod cx» pressian of triumph, "Forgive me for disturbing yon, doar mother," he said. "But I have just heard important news of Koyco," Irene cmght at tho count's?' arm Seymour glanced at her, but st 11 addressi'il the countess, " It is bud news, I am sorry in say," "B'id news I'echoed the countess under i her breath. k "Alas, yes I But lam afraid we could M BCarci'ly hope (or cood." A " Wlim. is it?" demuidpil tho countess, Hier voice strained and hard, is if she were jMeparing for the worst. has joined a gang o, gypsies," said jjHH^Rf^CV'broailipd Irene, might bi' expected of HH^^Blb love "f low and degrading HHHHH^eB—'" he hesitated.

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HRHSHBHk soui," HHHHmioned him to go on, ibjects should not bo of dear In ; some object, inductusual, h woman in the low women belonging to BHHBBon came from Irene, Slib liHii'i from tho coun|HßHßood confronting him. ■■■K stand your reluctance to HhmHTiiiiy. even on tliri part of ■HHH'ave ii on "ood authority. ■BHHftml groom, his seen Iloycn, WBUBBa whole story of his—lot us ontin»leui6nt.' head drooped for a mo* raised it, her face pnlo and he sco him ?'' she asked. Fair. Ho was with the Lko one of them—in fact HHHpilessnys, ni if ho had been born HHKgo expression crossed tho counHOT II s she looked at him. HKt is not true it is not trite, madam I Hiot believe it I" punted Irene jH'io countess seemed to tiwalto as 'from HI earn, oB Be quiet, Irene, 1 ' she said in a low 0;n voico, "Wec in soon learn whether Bis true or fal o, I wdl go to him." ■ " And I" Baid Irene, undor hor broath, r This did not at all suit Seymour, and for a moment his fnco fell, then 110 looked up with n hypocritical sigh, " You aro r'glH, as you always are, moi her. Low us Uoyce has sunk we must try and rtuii'iiibo'' thin ho is of our blcod and if possible sine hint 1 He may lisien to one ol us, miil-er- perhaps be induced to leave the country and sparo us further shame and 'niiiiilmiionl' and ho retired, leaving tho two women standing as if turno'.l to stone,

(T" h continued)