A Heart's Bitterness — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

met oe A HEART’S BITTERNESS. — 83 back. There.is strength in your face; and, my lord, there is no time to lose:” Kenneth turned, and picked up his hat and cloak. ‘“‘T will go at once. We will see your mistress home on our way. He drew her hand through his arm, and, with Adam in attendance, they passed through the deserted streets, and were soon at the foot of the balcony stair leading to Violet’s apartment. Kate was there, looking down into the garden for her mistress. Violet gave her hand to Keith, and all unconscious of her bewildering moonlight beauty, and of the tender pathos of that sweet, tremulous voice, that might unman any hero, sald: : | ‘‘God bless you, Kenneth. I have only you in all the world to help me. You will bring him back.” And then Kenneth Keith went forth from that fragrant garden, with its nightingales and roses, to crucify his own love and longing, and bring back the recreant, unworthy husband. | ‘A ~<a” als ie ee ae ee 16S Fe Se © eee nS Foe ee |g a Soe Fe ee OP Fa a ls Ge rr eB ME a eee Dt or oe A, oF Rode A ag Be ee re re ot Seow "yg het’ Wein (A Or Sa Sens ae re iy watt Cap haga SAR ty Sok ei eaeiiny el ed SURE LON Pa VERS og ae eo a peiley > Co ‘ 4 , ieee AS fF Ne tes - = . . $%: d inp “~~ “ ; ae > od . 2 ae > ' 4; “ot 4 ‘ 7 . " ya , 4 - If the secret of eternal love and perennial beauty is Inca- pacity for feeling any emotion, it is a secret all unpossessed by the young Countess of Leigh. All her power of seli- mastery is exhausted when she dismisses Kenneth with some semblance of calmness. After that she flies up the balcony steps and flings herself face downward on the first plush— sofa that offers itself, and sobs like a heart-broken child. Kate stood by, astonished and alarmed at this ourburst. Suddenly Violet sat up and pushed back her wet hair, and turned a face like a rain drenched rose toward her hum- ble companion. ‘Kate, Kate! I have no friend here but you. ‘Tell me, is it very wicked for people, most miserable, wretched people, to kill themselves?” | | Kate flung herself at Violet’s knees, and clasped the little — hot hands. , ‘Oh, my own dear little lady, do not say, do not think such terrible things! Wicked, my own dear lady? It 1s most wicked—it is to destroy your soul.” . . | ‘‘But, Kate, it seems as if I could. not live any longer, and yet I cannot die. My breath won’t stop. I am so miserable, and yet Iam so young and strong. Oh, why am Eomicbooks (Ee)