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"With the acknowledg," she

said, and her white hand crept slowly into the cold, clammy one which

lay so listlessly in Arthur's lap

He was already repenting, for he felt that it was sin to take that

ware for the half-lifeless one he

should render in return, the heart where scarcely a pulse of joy was

beating, even though he held his promised wife, and she as fair and

beautiful as ever promised wife could be

"I canthe warers which quivered to his touch

But he did not kiss her again He could not, for the brown eyes which

still see what he did There was a

strange spell about those phanto demurely at his side: "I could not clear my conscience if I did not confess that you are not

the first woman whom I have asked to be my wife"

There was a sudden start, and Lucy's face was as pale as ashes, while

her hand went quickly to her side, where the heart beats were so

visible, warning Arthur to be careful how he startled her, so when she