Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-10-10

school to reign queen of society,"
Beautiful, strangely beautiful, with
that cold, white, high bred face, those
wide, fathomless, glittering amber eyes
a figure matchless in symmetry and
grace, accomplished and polished and
the heiress of great wealth, no wonder
that lovers. old and young, kelt al
Madge Smiths shrine. Strange wonder
the world said that all were scorned-
not gently and with words of pity and
apology, but spurned from her very
feetwith scornful lips and blazing
eyes. ,ts M s5s
Aye. Madge Smith was an enigma
and mystery to all who knew her. No
warmer friend, no brighter companion
did those of her own sex seek for. But
never were those lips seen to smile. or
those wonderful eyes to soften in re-
sponse to any lovers; no glacier was
more frigid than she to all men. All,
did ! say? Nay; Dame Rumor had
plenty of gossip just now. Only few
weeks since new rival appeared on
the scene of action. Neil Rowan,
merchant and millionaire, entered the
list of Madge Smiths adorers-not
for her wealth, surely, Madame Grundy
acknowledged graciously He had
enough of his own. 1t was genuine
love that this blase man of society felt
for beautiful Madge. And wonder
ful change had come over the fair lady
since his appearance. Bright before,
she was brilliant now-sparkling, wit
ty, sewildering; and the world looked
on In amaze to see the flush stain her
white cheek, and the bright smile that
lighted her eyes at his approach.
And did he not recognize her, you
are wondering? Nay, how should he?
Sweet Cora Smith, and the summer in
the Country, were forgotten things with
this man. He had broken half doz-
en- silly hearts since then, and left them
all with Time, the great healer He
had firted with societys queens, and
village maidens innumerabIe, and left
the past all behind him. Aud now he
came and laid the first pure, real love
of his life-time at this woman's feet.
So he told her one autumn night in the
grand parlor of her stately home.
How her hands trembled and her
eyes shone as she listenedl Wait"
she said Il will give my answer to-
morrow night; it is my birthnight, and
| shall give an entertainment. You
will come; | will see you then. Be
in the library at ten, and you shall
hear my answer"
And the night came, and he was
there waiting. He paced the room
impatiently. Would she ever come,
this girl that was dearer, than his
life? Ay, she was life to him. The
world had seemed stale, favorless, un-
til he met her, the woman who, alone
OF her own sex, had ever stirred the
slumbering passions of his heart. How
bright the future seemed He was
sure of her answer; had not she given /
it all but in words?
My beautiful, my queenn he said
softly. And just then he heard the
light ripple of a woman's laugh in the
adjoining room. Her laugh he knew
among thousand ard her voice she
was speaking loud and clear.
" There, Guardie. you must let me
go now, Mr.. Rowan is waiting for me
in the library. You know l am to
give him his answer tonight.
|" And the guardians voice, speaking
tenderly, said: ~ |
"And that answer, | can guess il,
little Madge. You are going to marry
this man and leave us all" sss-;3
She laughed softly. ~ .i.
Marry him? No, indeed. sir He
is just the subject for a grand Irritation
and assure you | have acted my part
well but for anything further-bah.
But he is expecting me, SO by-by till
come again, and she tripped lightly
through the half-open door ere the
amazed guardian could utter a sylla-
BILE.
A white, ghastly, shivering figure
stood by the library window.
For Gods sake, Madge Smith, tell
me you were jesting!" he cried, as
brilliant. glowing, beautiful, she glided
into the room.
Not SO, my friend" she answered
lightly, Il spoke the truth. IF you
overheard my words, | need not repeat
them. 1t is my answer"
But you gave me hope; you led
me on; you have given me reason TO
think you loved me, he cried passion
ately. = 1t is the only love of my life
l have centered every hope and thought
in you, Madge Smith, and for my sake,
for Gods sake, do not wreck my lifel"
She was very pale now, aud her eyes
were black and glistening. -
Neil Rowan she said, slowly, II
have prayed for this hour eight years,
but never in my widest dreams did |
think my prayer so fully answered.
When saw the hue of death, the
white agony on my sisters cheek
when saw her writhe in speechless
agony at the words she heard eight
years ago tonight, [ vowed to aveuge
her, God being my helper Again
when | heard the thud of the earth
on her coffin | vowed that VOW. God
has brought it about even sooner, more
complete, than | had thought. If |
have given you an hour of such agony
as she suffered | am content. If you
could live and suffer it for countless
ages, | should be better contented.
My work is ended Good nightr'
Two hours afterward. the sharp re-
port of pistol rang with startling dis
tinctness through the crowded draw
ing room. All sprang to their feet
save Madge Smith. Perhaps her cheek
paled little-I cannot tell but the
light of her eye never changed, her
smiling lips never relaxed, as she gazed
upon the blood stained corpse in the
library. Neil Rowan had taken his
own life, and Cora Smith was avenged.