The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-07-31
REx ASHCROFT.
FROM tho New Jersey Magazine.

depth ana TeChleSSncSs "h'.' or
NV heart as lightning shivcrs the matter it
touches; but would quite as soon have
mt my hand into living Goals as TO have
touched his lips with mine. Indeed, 1t
would have been better for me TO have
heen burned with fire than to have linked
nv name with his. This is the solemn
trnth, and yet have seen moments when
/ would have sold my soul for one look int"
his flashing, desperate eyes. But ! havo
seen others, when, for the hate (such hate
as is born of love) bore him, would
have put half the world between us if
could.
Do Won know what it is to love and hate
in the same breath You would have soon
learned had Rex Ashcroft been your lover,
as he was mine.
Such man as he was to WOO to a wo-
man! Fire to-day and ice tomorrow
tender as an angel>now, distant and severe
as he who never felt or needed mercy then
but always strong and daring as the wild
north winds which scatter terror in their
track.
he was skilful teacher; and, alas l
learned quickly and well the lessons he
put before me. First, I feared him as II
SHINING mortal fears the King Of Terrors !;
then / loved him with the same mad de-
votion he lavished upon me, and at the
last came to love, and hate, and fear, by
turns, as he himself did, only mine was u
woman's soul, and it was easier for me to
love than either hate or fear.
The days, which were alternately like
triumph and torment to me, came and
went as other days come and go; but they
never seemed to me to be hours which be-
longed to my life at all. | believed then,
and I believe now, that | received, by
some curious slip of fortunes wheel, what
the fates prepared for another. Every
body warned me against this man, and for
that very reason chung to him the more,
saving to myself "what fools they are to
think I do not know him as well and bet
ter than they! And greater fools to think
can ever fall into his clutches" as in
truth they were.
He never made me waver but once, and
then only for an instant. We were stand
inp beside the river, on September
day, and watching the swift waters as
they swept by at our feet, when q horse
NAH galloped past on the opposite bank,
and ut curve in the river came face to
face with a train Of approaching cars, and
was killed in an instant.
What if it had been the man beside me,
was my first quick thought, and it sprang
to my lips as soon as it came to my heart.
cit might have been you, Rex | said,
with a sudden cry Of pain.
He turned swiftly.
alt would have taken me to hell, Fame.
You alone can save me from that at last.
His eyes held mine like band Of steel !;
and I remembering only that l loved him,
and would gladly die to save him, had the
words upon my lips which would have
sealed my fate when he bent to kiss me.
That moment broke the spell which was
upon me. drew back as if from poison.
"Let US 90 home," said.
"And forget that you love me, and
might save me ?"
We ought to have parted then and
there, but we did not. ! answered him
quietly in some evasive way, and, turning
to other subjects, we walked slowly home.
"Time enough yet for each to take up
the dreary way alone," | said, as l babe
him adieu at the door, and went into the
solitude of my own room. Tho end came
summarily enough.
A friend Of mine came from Cuba to
visit us, and he and 1, while riding out the
day after his arrival, passed Rex Ash
croft. knew what would follow when
caught the look in his eyes rs he lifted
his hat to me, and therefore was not
surprised when that evening brought him
to the house, with request to see me
alone.
went into the parlor with my nerves
ready.
"You and love each other, believe"
he began, waiting only until had closed
the door.
] answered nothing.
"Well, then, you love me as you will
never love the man who sat beside you
and smiled to-day, if you like that better"
81 shall marry him, nevertheless" ]
answered steadily.
It did not start him, because he did not
believe it.
"That has nothing to do with the ques-
ton just now. People have warned you
against me. Why did you love me?"
"If have loved you, have hated you
as WE'LL" answered, still holding my own.
A curious look came into his face.
"Did you think was not aware Of that?
Just because you hate and love with
strength like my own, I want you.''
"But you will never have me,' quick
ly answered.
An incredulous smile crept into his lips.
"As sure as the fire has heat, l SHALL
"Never."
81 have your soul already. Take that
away if you cam"
/ shuddered involuntarily. He was quick
to notice it.
"Y You are not so strong after all, Fame"
his voice growing tender and kind. You
tremble in spite of yourself"
"Neither from weakness nor fear" |
answered, meeting his look unhinchingly.
"The sooner you go the better"
Sand leave you to marry whom you
will.'
eyes"
81 will give you a diamond necklace
with my own hands the day you are any
mans wife save my own"
He drew himself up proudly, though /
could see the color dying ont Of his face,
and came toward me.
"Good-by, Fame, l love you as God
loves truth, and l will kiss you once"
He bent over my face, but wrenched
myself from his grasp, and he strobe from
the room and the house without another
word.
The next morning this note was sent to
me:
81 have something more to say to you,
Fame. Listen !. Three months ago should
have exulted in the thought that your love
tor me would make You naughty, bitter
woman the rest Of your life. That is
What hoped would be the ending of our
companionship then. Twill tell you why.
Il