The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-29
JOriginal.
THE W0RK OF 4 NIGHT:
BY E. b. CHEEsBoRoUGH.
CONCLUDED.

CONCLUDED.
Well, weeks flew by. Every dav
saw Edouard at my house. We walk
ed together as of old, we rode toce-
ther, we read together, and the dear
old tunes returned-the long, quiet.
delicious hours, when the only
thought we had was how dearly we
loved each other. We never spoke Of
Natalle-we thought only of our
selves; the whirlpool Of passion was
last drawing us into its dangerous
depths. On the verge Of the giddv
preclplce paused
One evening, at party, Edouard
was sitting beside me. He whispered: ::
,.'Oh. that could bear YOU, Ge-
ralulne, tar away to some quiet little
spot, where we could live and love
unseen by prying eyes.
And Natalic.' l said.
At that moment, | raised nv
eyes-she was looking ut us with a
sad, heart tbroken gaze. A sudden
impulse prompted me to arise and
JON her AS she saw me approach
ing, she grew deadly pale.
:. Are you i'll, Natalie?' said, as I
took my seat beside her.
"She pressed her hand upon her
heart.
Ne she said, with plaintive
smile, I believe not.
With his head leaning upon his
hand, Edouard watched us.
You look sick, Natalie
Sick al heart; that's all. Women
such as am, Geraldine, often suffer.
You have the world al your feet-I
nave not even my husband; YOU
attract all men God has given you
that power; while I cannot win the
heart OF one man, and that man
dearer to me than all others. Even
his love you take from me, Geral-
dine
THE color rose to my cheek, as
this reproach sank deeply into my
heart; but I said, quietly:
Natalie, you shall have no cause
to reproach me in the future
Thank you, she said, earnestly
forgive me If | have panied you.
You have not panied me, said
and with cold shiver, | arose to 90.
had scarcely reached the steps,
where I was awaiting the carriage.
when Edouard stood beside me. He
TOOK my shawl and wrapped it around
me.
Are you sick, Geraldine?'
No, only utterly wretched.'
Let me go home with vou.' ht
said, entreatingly.
NO. not now, or ever again
Natalie has taught me my duty, an(
we separate this night forever
HE drew my arm in his. and said
quietly:
g Very well; we viii discuss tina
tomorrow
forever
He stood looking in my face, Will
quiet smile.
When we part forever, Geral
dine, it will strike one or both dead
as with a lightning flash.
Indeed, ] am in earnest. Ed
GUARD
'''No, You are not.
T" Yes; for Natalie's sake, it mus
Oe SO, anu 1Of your sake and for mine
we part forever
. Forever is a long time, Gcral
line; and when it comes to partipo
you and L can no more utter tina
word than the stars above us can dis
sever themselves from the heavens
You think that you are very strona
Geraldlne, but you are only a We
man; and when women love, they ar
weak indeed.
Yes, we are weak tor love, ion
strong, perhaps, for duty; and / bi
you goodbye this night forever
He handed me into the carriage.
-" Well, goodbye forever, Gera
dlne-until Tomorrow
"To-morrow came, and with
Edouard. But the resolution we
taken-I saw him not. He wrote M
long, passionate letters-I made n
reply; then he desisted. / battle
with my heart alone. I wept-
struggled prayed. My cup W.
full; for had [ not voluntarily resign