The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-05-19
LLOYD KINGMAN'S RIVAL,

| passionate. meianchOIy. Inc mOut
was sweet; the eyes, so dark and lumi
mons; the chesnut-brown hair, so ut
terly beautiful. Yet she looked so in
nocent of her fate, standing there il
the red light of the damask curtains; al
unconscious of Lloyd Kingman's eyes
that one could not hope she would pas
unscathed the ordeal of that bad man!
thoughts.
When she felt his hand touch he
shoulder she started.
"Nlr. Kingman !"
"Madge."
Her soft eyes dilated-sle ATTEMPTED
to retreat, but he prevented the move
ment.
"Don't be afraid of me, child.
have something to say to YOU"
Her face was not encouraging, but he
overlooked, as was characteristic. he,
wish.
81 love you. I want you to be my
wife. Don't shrink from me in that
way. You have nothing to be afraid
of. I want to take care of you and
make you happy"
She stood silent, trembling.
"You do not know where live. II
is beautiful place, full of trees and
fountains, and arbors covered with
bl0ssomed vines. The house is full OF
warm, rich rooms, where you could
wander all day, and constantly find
something new and beautiful. There
is a little boud0ir, robed in crimson,
that has always been waiting for my
wife. 1t has pictures and couches, and
soft swinging lightsNin alabaster, for
dark winter nights like this. There is
a splendid library, holding thousands
of volumes, Madge! You love to read
know. There you will find all the
fairy tales and poetry that You want,
little one. Will you Gomez"
She shook her head tremblingIy.
"You need not promise now. Lis
ten, l have something more to tell you.
Madge, I have wealth and power, but
no one to love me. You can make me
happy. Is that any consideration to
your kind heart n
She lifted her eyes to his face. They
fell again.
''But I do not love you, yon" she
said simply.
''Let me teach you," be said.
She tried to think; drew quick
breath.
"Don't be troubled" he said. 81
will give all the time you want. Only
wear this to remember me by, for am
going away tomorrow to be absent a
week.
AS he spoke he slipped golden cir
clet on her little hand--a ring of dia-
monds, glittering like fame.
At the same moment some ono en-
tered the room-the public boarding
house parlor-and Madgc escaped, be-
wildered, oblivious of everything but
her furiously beating heart and the
weight of jewels upon her hand.
She locked herself in her room. and
throwing herself upon the bed, she
buried herself in the pillows; but that
did not prevent her from hearing the
wheels of Mr.. Kingman's coupe grind
away from the door. He came there
often, but she never knew that she had
been the attraction. She saw it al
now, it made her dizzy.
She lay there long time, getting
restless at length, and tossing feverish.
ly about as it grew dark.
At last she rose, lighted little lamp
and knelt down before her trunk. The
light fell into it as she drew out a little
box and opened it. She turned some
letters over hastily, drew out pho.
tograph.
1t was mans head-a frank young
face, every line pure and high toned.
The girl looked at it with swimming
eyes.
Martin, how could you forget
she murmured.
Then she laid the box away. anG
walked the floor until utterly exhaus
ted.
A week of daily toll and care--th,
old round-hrought the girls resolu
ton. She looked at the sparkling
ring and saw ease, comfort, protection
on the other side was only LONELINESS
and toll. Tho alternative that shoul'
have been was not. The soldier love
had proved false; the man did love wit
all her heart had forgotten her; th
romance was ended. and here was
blank, bat for this new episode.
She looked at herself in the miro
as she daily brushed out the waves 9
her beautiful hair, and saw how til
rose had faded upon her cheek in til
last year, and how the shadows SCENE
to have gathered around her eyes.
"Martin will come back some Ola
in shoulder straps and spurs, with