Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-02-03
IN LIFE AND DEATH.

a THRILLING STORY OF woMAN's AFFEc-
An autumn evening, gusty aud bleak trees
SbllRh h6Ttpegl ~ nhl.fshfUi,ish feeerytEng, and
moaning grey creeping up the lonesome
grey sands, under CHASTITY dark sky-that was
what Marian Wilde saw from her window, out
of which she stood gazing for an hour or more;
A handsome girl was Marian Wilde, tall and
stately, luminous splendor, and majestic coils
of shining black hair. The deep crimson dress
she wore set off her dark colorless beauty.
She stood alone in the room her eyes gazing
with fixed meaningless stare over the wide Sea
The room was large and luxuriously furnished,
and over bed and chairs, and dresslng-table, lay
the filmy whiteness of bridal robes. An ex-
ouisite dress Of silk and lace, priceless veil,
tiny slippers timer gloves, costly bouquets, and
velvet casket full Of gllmmering pearls. For
tomorrow was Mariah's wedding day.
The gloomy evening soon grew glooinier, tie
! wind rose to gale, and above came the shri
shrieking OF the sea birds. The surf came
tramping In with dull roar over the beach,
| and the mist was turning Into steady rain.
Still Marian stood with vague stare gazing
/ over the sea.
| aThe lonesome, desolate, awful sea-" she
whispered to herself; the wide, pitiless, cruel
sea Oh my love, my own, my Wiliiel IL
were only sleeping with you under those black
waves! Better than to be the bride OF Gilbert
Owen tomorrow ---.,-
There was a tap AT the door; she never stir,
lr.l The handle turned, there was rustie OF
silk, and woman's voice speaking in the dusk
Marian, are you here" .,
The voice awoke her from her trance she
turned half around from the window.
Yes, aunt Maria, come In.
what an owl you are, child-hl IN the DARK
WHY on earth don't you light the gas
j do no. need gas TO think ~
.Ihlnlting are you? bad habit, my dear
OF what ere you thinking, That you are 'h'
luckiest girl ip the world hope
| wsre not a sin TO commit suicide The SCI
down there looks very inviting the distanc
IA sholt, and this November evening Is just th'
thing for It,
She laughed reckless laugh.
Aunt Maria: buxoni, comioitabie iau,
searching uneasily for the match box III th
y dsrk.-
You are crazy girl III did not know yo
of old for an oddty, | should box your ears 10
such speech on the eve of your wedding
u Precisely, auntie; that's why make IL.
Il Now, Marian. Oh, dear, where are I'll
8 matches! All, Ihaye them. Thank gooanes
twice as bad In the dark. I'm afraid your
e not moi properly thsnkful for your blessings M'
rian.'
), I'm afraid Im not, auntie|
Of Now here said auntie, foldlaS hsr hand
n and looking at her noisy niece In miiu repfoo
y here you are blessed with everything ina. 70.
heart can desre-loyey dresses, pearls AL
= point lace, and a cabinet full of the most exqu
site and costly bridal presents. Now VIII
more could any girl OF sense desire
VERY true, auntle; but don't know That
am in my senses ,, L.,
r. Nonsense, child. Don't be absurd Ism
z Mr. Owen everything that the most fastidio.
D. could desre-upright, honorable, esteeiheu
10 ALL and immensely rich" !"
he i know it,'with heavy sigh; great de
ny TOO good for reckless loveess, perJurea wret'
'iy asI.
Aunt Maria gave little scream
w ,Gooi heaven Marian! have you gone dera
on ged that you use sucli vile language. felJ9re
i'm What oil earth do you mean. But nesu @
= as,: ,ts ali about that unfortunate VILLA
The girl made a sudden motion TO stop h'
ss If the name stabbed her like knife.
>, .Auntle auntie pray don't, can't bear
tonight. Leave Inc aiene, dontieei IKE IL
SELF .,,,,., o,
left alone. Come down stairs; Mr.. owens
there waiting for you.' !.
Il can't go; won't go. Tell him so, II y
like. If Gilbert Owen is wise--if he wants
wife to-morrow-he had better leave me ale
tonight .,,,,,,- ,oo.
lament ONci tuc ihto " w h'N
z I'm not afraid Of your flashing eyes, Marian
will You want to be sentimental and romantic
and your bridal eve, aud mourn over your sal
'efy lover, lost at sea. But know you better !,
YOU know yourself, my dear, and l knoN
~ willie conli rise from the deep and claim y
ID promise, you would not keep 1t. You
wealth. and luxury as well as any ofus, Ma
- and YOU know the difference between the '
s, Ss. of millionaire and the wife of sea eaptf
aas III leave you alone, as you requested. BE
~