The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-01-19
H u N r f d D 0 W N d.
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their favorite singer, and dcluging the
stage with boqucts in honor of her un-
usually brilliant performance, which had
this evening outshone all her previous
efforts. =
A gentleman in one Of the balcony
boxes sat gazing listlessly about, not
sharing in the general enthusiasm, or
paying the slightest heed to what was
passing around him.
His companion-a handsome young
officer of somewhat efleminate appear
ance-lcancd toward him, and touched
him, eager enthusiasm shining in his
handsome eyes.
"By Jove! Earl, the little warbler is
divine, is she not?"
Gas divine rs rouge, diamonds and d
tolerable voice, with 4 thorough lnowl-
edge of stage clap-trap, can make any
woman. AT your age, my boy, they are
all angels. At mine, you will be willing
to swear that the great enemy of souls is
not more crafty and treacherous."
''Satan rebuking SIM" laughed Captain
Malvern. ''What a horrible cynic you
are, to be sure say, Clifford, why can't t
you allow one to enjoy little of life,
without perpetually tearing off the mask
you have learned to penetrate? For the
prince of disagreeable fellows, commend
me to the man who is sure to discover
that your copies of the old masters are
daubs, your silver plate and the delicate
complexion of your .fancee is a skillful
combination of rouge and email de Paris.
In short, the man who has mission for
going about the world, scratching the
varnish off everything, and discovering
all sorts of shame. Such a man--
Good God! Clifford, what is the mat
ter =
There was a moments silence, and
then Clifford spoke, his voice cool and
even i'll its tones, though his face was
blanched to the pallor of death, and his
blue eyes scintillated like polished steel
Il am subject to sudden attacks OF
faintness-heart disease, my physician
tells me-
He raised his lorgnette, and swept q
glance over the sea of faces before him
who is that lady yonder?"
Malvern glanced at the box toward
which his glance was leveled.
The one in blue satin and pearls p
NO, in the next box The one with
the magnificent eyes and amber hair
"That is Lloyd Eggleston's wife, the
acknowledged leader of society. She is
said to be the most beautiful woman il
the city,
"Her diamonds are unusually fine. ]
would like to see them closer. | have s
passion for gems, you know. l think
will go over and see Eggleston. l have
rot met him since my return from Eu.
rope. If am not back at the close o1
the performance, do not wait for me-
He rose and left the box.
''Heart disease" said Captain Mark
Malvern, as his eyes followed the retreat
ing form of his friend. ''Perhaps; but
if so, it will not trouble you long. my
friend. | never saw that look in a man
eyes unless the great enemy, Death
lurked near. When soldiers go into bat
tie with that expression in their faces
they never come out alive" .I
Gabrielle, my love, this is my friend
Earl Gitford'
Not muscle of that well-trained face
betrayed the agony of the wretched wo
man as she turned to Clifford with hel
sunniest smile. -
Il am most happy to meet one o
whom my husband has so often spoken,
and she made room for him beside her.
Clifford took the proffered seat, and a:
he did so, his eyes met hers with lool
that made her heart sink.
1t was the look of crouching panthe
ere he springs upon his prey. But NJ
sign of her perturbation showed itself il
her face. The beholder who might hav,
glanced that way would have Sc :
naughty, cynical-looking man, and ;
magniIicently beautiful woman, with am
Der hair, that looked as if shaft of sun
beams were imprisoned in its meshes, in
nocent, childish eyes, and smile of rar
beauty on her perfect mouth. @
The curtain rose; all eyes were turned
upon the stage, and a suppressed murmu
Of applause greeted the singer, who's,
thrilling voice rose in torrent of jubi
liant melody, fresh and sparkling as th'
brilliant notes of the mocking-bird.
Then Clifford turned to Mrs. Eggles
ton, with cold glitter i'll his steel-blu'
eyes, and sardonic smile wreathing hi
thin lips.
$50 l have found you at last
He leaned toward her us he spoke, anC
a locker on would have fancied he wa
paying compliment, or discussing th'
music.
"You will not expose me to him?"
There was an intonation of passionate
entreaty in her voice that might hay,
touched heart of stone.
''Ha, ha, han'
Gabrielle shuddered at the triumphan
mockery in his suppressed laugh, anc
clasped her white hands with an implor
ing gesture; then, suddenly recollectin:
herself, looked round with caleles
smile.
Have you no mercy, then p
"Mercy! Ha, ha! Did you hav
mercy when you took advantage of m.
illness to drug the wine the physician ha'
ordered? Did you feel any compunc
tions when you hovered round my be-
with tender words and wifely caresses
and watched my strength slowly eb
away in the slow poison your hands ad
ministered daily? When you left IN
dead, as you supposed, and sought t
avoid by flight the consequences of you
crime, what, think YOU, famed the feebl
spark of life left me, and cheercd tn
+ slow hours of my convalescence
was the thought of revenge. 1t has il
spired me to seek you in every land c
cline where fate OF fear might carry yo,
, 1t has lent the only interest to life whic
5 | am capable Of feeling. And thinkyo
l will forego its rapture now? You
e time has come. A gallows surrounde
by vulgar, gaping crowd,a rope in plac
l of this, he touched the glitterln
: necklace of diamonds which clasped he
n \ IL