Part 42 (1/2)

”No, no, for pity's sake!” she almost moaned; ”it may mean your death”

”Well, better that than an eave way, e power The next reat, di to be firm, but a wave of triumphant joy carried him on, for he knew that he had won

”My own!” he whispered passionately; ”at last! at last!” and he clasped her in his ar one last effort for the supre him violently away, she turned and fled towards the end of the hall, darted through the open doorway into the great darkened dining-room and tried to shut the door

But he was too close, and this tiht her in his arms, raised her from the carpet, to bear her to the couch that had borne her wounded brother for so long, and there, letting her sink down, dropped upon his knees at her feet

The roohtly raised, but he could see her half-closed eyes and tre lips, as she bent over towards him now till her brow rested upon his shoulder

”This is not death, but life,” he whispered passionately ”Tellto escape fro?”

”Abroad--Switzerland”

”When?”

”To-night”

”Yes, to-night,” he said softly, ”and I with you, dearest Your slave-- yourself--one with you always Marion, we ain,” she whispered back, as his lips sought hers ”You have mastered I can resist no o at once At any moment they may return”

”Who h?”

”Yes Come away”

”To the world's end with you,” he whispered, but she uttered a cry and sprang to her feet

”What is it?” he whispered

”Didn't you hear? Come”

She led the way quickly into the hall, and the voices her preternaturally sharpened hearing had detected caht Chester's hand and ran with hireat front door, which they had al sound before them and the dull movement of feet upon the stone step

The nexttowards them

Hemmed in, with peril on either hand

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

LIGHT IN DARKNESS

As Chester turned to face what he knew must prove to be a desperate encounter, Marion snatched at his wrist