The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-07

JUST NHCIc HIS HTllu VilEtS>cu u 80 !cti-
Derby; but when slowly opened my
eyes, saw that was lying gu the lounge
in the old library. with Phillip Mordaunt
bending sad and pitying'y over me.
closed !hem again with weary sigh, as
the memory of what had brought me
there came rushing over me with binding
force. | was passing through the hall Oh
my way from the garden, with my apron
loaded with flowers, when. CHANGING in
through tho library door. that stood
slightly MAR, | saw a sight that held me
transfXcd with amazcmcnt.
My guardian standing in the centre Of
the apartment white and calm, while ia
cling him. with flushed, passionate face
and angry mien stood Edgar Harrington,
his nephew: and my love
Hot, fery words were hurled from the
lips Of one, meeting only quiet scorn
from the other. Dumb with fear, l stood
watching the two with species of fasci-
nation tina, kept inc silent. They were
talking Of ne, for in the angry excite
ment Of the moment their voices rose
sharp aud clear, and every word reached
my ear with painful distinctness.
Il repeat it, Edgar" my guardians
voice was saying, las your wife, Ida
would not live month; your harsh ty-
ranny would kill her.
TIL tones that replied were smoothed
into bitter, cutting irony, while scorn-
full smile wreathed the handsome lips
"Parh1ps my far-sighted and very
disintereseL uncle thinks the prize would
have bscn bette, cared for in his loving
hands. ! supposed that one taste of we'd
ded bliss had been sufficient, and there
fore paid 10 heed to the flying reports
that Mordaunt Hall babe fair to have a
second mistress. have been very blind.
but my eyes are at last opening to the
motive of my good uncle's interest in his
fair ward"
Is it any wonder that stood spell
bound, watching the white face, that had
grown almost ashen under the cruel,
singing taunt, falling to catch the words
that followed, so low and hoarsc were the
broken tones. They must have been
fraught with deep meaning, for Edgar's
face grew dark with passion. as with the
single word "fOol" Kissing from between
his set teeth, he sprung with clinchcd,
appraised hand toward his uncle.
] waited to see no more, but dasl.ing
open the door, l sprung between them,
and threw my arms around my guardians
neck.
! was too late to stay the blow, but not
too late to save it from him; for, startled
by my unexpected appearance, it fell with
uncertain force on my own head, making
my brain reel with the sudden shock.
| heard my guardians frightened
"You have killed her." then all was dark
and when again awoke to consciousness
it was to hear the same tones that had
last fallen OH my ear. murmuring low.
soothing words-words fraught with ten
dcrness.
ida, do you feel bcttcr?' he asked,
as | slowly Enclosed my eyes q second
time.
Eyes, but my head aches badly"
faintly murmurcd.
II know it must, poor child" and he
again passed his hand over my throbbing
brow, brushing back the loose hair that
hung cold and damp with the water that
he had sprinkled on my face in his efforts
to restore me to consciousness.
where is Edgar was my FIRST in
quiry; and I looked with eager question
ing into the face above me-
There was pcrceptible hardening Of
the lines about the face, and his voice was
cold and stern as he answered:
"He left the room after seeing you
senseless in my arms, and has not siucc
returned"
l turned away with weary moan,
Did he then love me SO little that he did
not care to know whether was dead or
alive! asked myself the question with
an ache in my heart as well as in my
thro5bing temples, refusing to look kindly
at the man who had sent the first doubt
in my lovers faith.
He must have seen the movement and
guessed its cause, for. his voice was full
Of pain, as he said:
You think me heartless. Ida. when
would lay down my very life to bring you
happiness"
| felt that he would. and my heart was
full Of rcgretful tenderness, as, Selling
his hand in both my own. | laid it on my
cheek with caressing movement that
went to assure him of my penitcnce.
do not know whether he missed the
customary kiss l always bestowed upon
him as peace offering, for | dared not
again offer that token Of love till | knew
there was truth in the assertion Edgar
had SO cruelty uttered.
Ny lips were dry and parebed, and !
reached out lay hand to take the glass Of
water that stood on small stand within
my reach.
Wait, and l will get you some fresh, !"
and. intercepting the passage of my arm,
he took the glass and hurried from the
room.
The door had scarcely closed when one