The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-09-12


flashing a tribute light to her dusky eyes
She leaned Heavily on Maurice's arm and
her hair s!nost touched his cheek. The
music grew softer, fainter; Maurice
turned his head. and dropping branch
swept his hair upon his forehead Iso-
line raised her hand and brushed it back.
The touch sent the blood like fire
through his veins. The place swan be-
fore his eyes, and IN an instant he was
pressing the hand I'd his heart,and pour
ing forth wild words of love.
A look Of triumph flashed for an in
slant beneath her downcast lids; she had
won her game. She liked the boy, and,
if she dared, she would give back love
for love; but her life already held too
many dark secrets to risk another. She
withdrew her hand.
"Maurice! Mr. Maur! How dare
|you2 Is this your return for my kind
ness2 Oh, base ingratitude ~ 3
"Ingratitude! Oh, Isolihe; wllat have
I done 2"
Forgotten that / am wife! 7"
Had Maurice been man, he would
have flung back that she had first forgot
ten that; but he only murmured with
pale lips, "Forgive me. You aee fhy
life. My very soul is yours"
"Again that insult! Leave me, sir! !or
1 call my husband"
Her voice was naughty and her eyes
cold. Mutely Maurice turned away and
left her. She waited till he left the con-
servatory; and then, with low laugh,
she returned to the drawing-room. She
left too soon to hear the bushes part, and
a man, with stern, white face, step out
and walk to the door, whence he watched
her mingle with the throng. The man
was Peyton. He glared at her with
hateful eyes, and when. in reply to re-
mark, her light laugh came to him, he
slipped forward. But he checked him
self and said, "For Maurice's sake, 1
will not. l will go to him. He must
let me help him."
He left the door, and went to look for
Maurice No Maurice there. A servant
said gentleman had left short time
before, looking very ILL.,
"Poor boy!'' he muttereG 81 will
follow him. She shall not take him
from me-"
He called carriage and drove hastily
to Maurice's home The door stood
open. He entered, and ran quickly up to
his room. No light was visible from
within. He knocked; DO answer. He
tried the door; it was fast. A vague
fear stole over him. He put his shoul-
der to the door lit yielded to his strength,
and the door swung open. He entered.
His foot struck something. He picked
it up, and knew it to be Florentine
dagger that he had given Maurice; the
blade was wet.
A cold horror ran over him. Holding
the dagger fast, he went toward the man.
tel. At the next step his foot struck
against something. Great heavens
what did it mean? With mighty
stride he passed over it, and seized the
matches. He turned ON the gas, and
fleeing darkness unveiled a sight that
froze his blood.
He did not cry out He gazed sec
ond, and a wild hope seized him. He
knelt beside him and felt his heart; in
vain the dagger had gone home. He
raised the fair young head in his arms,
and covered brow and lips with kisses
such as man but seldom gives to man;
then he tenderly laid the body down
and, as he rose, he saw, lying where he
bad dashed it few hours ago, the pic
ture of the woman, with scarlet blood
smear across her brow. With curse
he dashed his heel through the canvas,
and rushed from the room. Out into
the darkness he hurried, towards the gay
scehe where he had left her. He reach
ed the house. Music, and dancing, and
laughter continued. He laughed, too,
when he thought how soon he would
tura that joy to horror. He entered the
house and looked for her among the
crowd; she was not there. He asked
for her, and was told that. she had left
the house few minutes before.
Out again into the night. Her resi-
dence was not far away, and he soon
reached it. Lights were still burning,
and he rang the door. bell violently.
"Have your master and mistress re-
tired ?" he asked of the servant.
No"
81 must see them"
The servant looked uncertain; but
Peyton heard voices, and saw light
streaming through an open door. He
pushed the servant aside, and went to-
wards the sounds, He paused on the
threshold. 1t was in the room in which
he had first saw her with Maurice. A
bright fire burned in the CRATE. 1soline,
still in her ball dress, reclined in large
chair before it, and man she called her
husband, noble, white haired man, with
gentleman stamped on every feature, was
mixing soothing drink for her.
Peyton fingered on the threshold, and
a cry of pity went forth for that proud
old mar but the fair young face, all
blood staine d was between them, and he
advanced.
Mr.. Russell looked up. Astonish-
ment filed his face when he saw feyton.
SO pale and haggafd, but he suppressed
it, and, extending his hand, said, "You
are welcome, Mr.. Peyton, but l fear no
pleasant errand has brought you here
May / ask what it is ?" a ra Bio
Peyton did not reply. His gaze was
fixed on Isoline She had risen from her
chair, and clutching the back for sup
port, she turned at him, white as marble,
and with eyes full of horror.
Mr.. Russell repeated the QUESTION.
pardon me, Mr.. Peyton, but may /
ask what you want?'
Not once did Peyton move his eyes
from the covering woman. He raised
his arm, and pointing his finger at her,
said:
81 want my wifeF'
A death like silence followed the dw;
fut words, and then Mr. Russell reached
for the bell. Peyton stopped him.
| know what you think-that ] am
either drunk or mad; but am neither.
Ask that woman if tell the truth Ask