The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-01-09

with the wrong unrectified-
MADGE WILDER"
"Who brought this p inquired Edith,
after she lladsre read with wondering
eyes, the strange missive.
IA woman, Miss, and she's waiting in
the hall for something"
"Bring her here, please"
And in few moments, a tall; komelr
clad, but respectable looking person en-
tered Edith's ruom.
What is your name, my good wo-
man?"
"Mrs. Hoover, Catharine Hoover"
she replied.
"Do you know the writer of this 2"
And Edith held up the note she had re-
ceived
"Yes, ma'arn It's Msige Wilder, o
young woman rooming with us. for we
are poor, though honest She has been
raving wild with fever, and has been cal
ling piteously for Edith for days to-
gether, pleading for her.to come, that
she might und6 sortie wrong But we,
not knowing who she meant, could do
nothing, until to-day she wakened sane,
and asked me to come for you. Will
you hurry, please? for the doctor said
she had not an hour to live
Edith had stood like one dazed until
thus sdmonishsd; then putting on her
cloak and hood, started with Mrs Hoo
yer to see the one who confessed wrong
ing her; but how, she could not conjec-
ure. Arriving at small dwelling, they
entered the sufferers room.
"You have Gomez gasped Madge;
"and none too soon. Did you ever
dream achy you never heard from Louis
Williams ?" And as she spoke spasm
of pain contracted her brow.
"No; surely you did not interfere''
"God forgive me! but l did, Open
that little desk, Edith, and you'll End
what you should have had years ago"
Doing as dfscted, she saw package
of letters bound around with a faded
ribbon.
"Oh! Madge, why have you worked
me this great wrong?' she asked, com,
pretending at glance the full! extent of
the mischief done
"Why did I 60 it" shrieked the dy-
| ing Madge. Because I loved him-be
cause would have walked through seas
of fire and an ocean of blood to gain
one smile Of commendstion because
from childhood he has been the ideal of
all my passionate dreams Oh! Edith,
your love was tame in comparison with
mine, ur you would have solved the tiys-
tesy Of this silence long ago"
allow did you know he loved me2'
81 overheard your betrothal out by the
rose covered arbor, aud vowed that he
should never claim you, and only too
well have l kept the vov," she groaned.
where did you get these?" asked
Edith, glancing at the letters lying on
the desk
"You know Tom Lloyd was postr a.
ter down at the old home. He loued you,
and I lored Louis; Tom gave them to
ne, and between us We thought each
could gain our choice; bat fate was
against US, it seems Edith will you for
give me? for trust the wrong will yet
be righted"
Eyes, Msdge, l forgive you as freely
as 1 hope the good Father above will
pardon us all. But think of yourself,
my old school-mate" added tender.
ly--'for you will soon be crossing the
Dark River, over to the Brighter Shore. .
"Too late! too late oh, Edith-Lou
is"
And the Pickering life of the repent
ant woman expired.
\ 4
Again do we find Edith seated IN her
room-with work thrown aside-whie
around her lie the letters that were
guarded so long with Jealous care. Some
have grown almost yellow from time
but she is eagerly reading the lines pen
ned by her lovers hand; telling how
tenderly he loves her; and how rapidly
he is accumulatng wealth,
Now Gliding her negligence in not
writing; and this one, dated year ago,
asks imploringly:
"ls it possible, Edith, that you are
false-bestowing your smiles on one
more fortunate than /? For how else
can account for this long silence, bro
ken not by word from you? How
long must | wait in sorrow for the re |
turn of q 1.-THE Of the love that have
given p
Poor Edith that was hard thrust,
loving and trusting as she had.
Leaning her face on her hands, she
sobbed low, regardless of all things pas
sing around, when the door gently open !
ed, and some one stepped within.
Edith, darling, do / find you in
tea,s?' asked the dear old voice, while
two loving arms clasped her in a warm
embrace.
"Or, Louis Louis. is it youf' she
sobbed Historically, half rising in af
fright?"
But the strong arms folded her closer
as hs said soothingly-
"Yes, it is l. Edith returned to claim
you for my own, after the weary years
Of waiting"
When the great joy of the reunion had
grown more tranquil, Louis asked. d.point-
ing at the papers strewn over the stand
What are they, Edith ?"
"Tour letters" she replied; "read by
me for the first time tonight"
Then she explained where she had OBJ
tained them.
"Poor erring Msdge," he sighed Il
can forgive her the more readily. since l
have again found my treasure, But tell
me Elith-did you never doabt me, du
ring the long silence ?"
Never, Louis! True unto death,
was our bstrothal; and faith whisper. ed
that some time the shadow would pass
from our lives,and we would again walk
in the sunlight of love-
"And the reward for your faith. Edith.
will be a life free from sorrow, if love
can make it 50" he replied.
On the morrow they stood by the
grave of Madgc, while the body was
slowly lowered to its last long resting