The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-01

MAD passion. I0geJner Juey bWepJ
through the mazes Of the dance, togeth-
er they promenaded the gay saloon.
Edith clung to him, feeling that he alone
knew the bitterness of her aching
heart-that he alone knew of her hope
less, despised love.
The evening was waning, and Thomas
and Edith passed into the dimly-lighted
conservatory. Edith seated herself on
a fauteuil, in the. shadow of luxuriant
exotics. Thomas seated himself by her
side, his heart throbbing with his mad
passion.
"Edith, wish to speak with you," he
said.
She started from reverie in which
her thoughts had wandered faithfully
back to Hubert Coyerly.
"What did you sayr said she, abb
sently.
He gazed at her an instant, then, as if
suecumbing to an uncontrol able i'm
pulse, he clasped her in his arms and
imprinted kiss upon her lips.
"Let me gov she cried, startled and
frightened. "What do you meanp she
added, indignantly.
"Fofgive me, Edith," he replied, in an
humble, conJrIte voice; indeed could
not help it. have curbed the passion
Of my heart until 1t refuses longer TO
fierce grasp. GA, Edith, have loved
you SO long, so utterly, SO bopelessly.
You believe me, do you notP he said,
eagerly.
"l-l-oh, Mr.. Kildrew, why have
you said this to mep' she asked, i'll u
| tone OF distress.
"Because l must! Tho false-hearted-
ness of-of your atfianced lover," he
said, hurriedly, as il the words burned
upon his lips, "nas given me the right TO
plead my love. You will love me?-you
will be my wife, EdithT he said, his
face glowing win intense excitement,
and his whole frame fairly shaking.
| IL can not. l did not suspect this"
she stammered, painfully confused.
"Have you no pity on meW be said,
almost tiereely. "Surely you do not yet
crave the love of one who has pu5 the
blight Of conLemptuous torgettulness
IupOn your
sue arose from her seat, the tears oil
indignant shame shining III ner eyes.
| You are cruel 70 tauut me Win nv
lsorrow. l have not forgotten him, al
though he-he has ceased TO care Tor me.
lNo, no; l might as well try to forget my
SELL"
Thomas X ldrew's face contracted
with a spasln 0f more tuan mortal agony
Like flash he saw it all-the utter
lhopelessness of his love. He ielt that
he had sinned-sinnedd ddiabolically-and
lor naught. The cup of happiness thai
he was Iain to guam turned 10 ashes on
mis- lips.
He gave her one glance of remorseful
des spalring love, ana tnen, turning alb
lru ,tly on his heel, left the conservatory
walked through tne crowded rooms Will
, hasty. nervous strides, left the house
? and situng up all night, packed hls
trunks, wrote some letters, and mex
day lett England.
, Six weeks later. and one moonligh
lpighJ two young men paced arm III arm
/ among the cleaning columns OF the Col
, losseum at Rome.
"Hubert," one was saying, II fee
> lhumbled TO the dust by your great gen
erosityl l fully expected that yoI
would turn upon me and strike me u
! the earth, when you knew my treacnery
, for treachery like mlne no punishmen
3 | is too great"
4 "Your manly confession and my owl
1 great joy robbed my heart Of all desir
for vengeance, Tom. You loved her
, Ab. rom, can not wonder that you ig
|; Inoied nv claims, when l think of you
t great temptation"
II was not sane, I believe" answered
Thomas KlldreW. 81 lived delirum .
q souI-destroylng passion. Ii l. had no
i been blinded by my own selfish desires
might have seen that she was still true
= 10 you, iaithless although she believed
= you TO be-"
Darling Edith! what have l not SUI
: rered thinking you false! But IL is al
e ended now. Tom, snall set out tc
u morrow for home"
u Thomas Kildrew clasped his Irien
warmly by the hand.
l. .God speed youp he said, while owe
: his face stole an expression OF hopeless
d ness, which told that his smitten sou
n had not yet rallied from its cruel blow
i A week later, and Hubert ascende
/ the steps of Delaney Hall. Outward
s composed, although his blood pulse
& through his veins with the speed of il
tense excitement, he awaited Edith i
r the library. He was not refused admit
:. sion now, for Hubert Coverly, tn
d wealthy, tam)us artist, was very di
h ferent person from Hubert Coyerly, til
e poor, struggling painter.
Wholly UNCONSCIOUS of the great jo
= awaiting her, Edith entered the room.
r "EdItu, my darlingW he exclaimed
& opening Ills arms.
. one moment she gaZed In unbellev1n
u establishment; then, with cry Of happ
= ness, she flung herself into his arms.
: A lew hurried words explained ever.
y thing; and too happy to entertain al
emoJlOns but those OF gladness, Eli
s. lorgaVe the unhappy cause of her bite
: sorrow; and, years alter, when Thom;
Klldrew returned home, he WAS we
II coined with glad smiles and friend
II words to the hOsDitaiities of Hub Z
Il Coyerly's home, presided over vii
IL matronly dignity by Eii'h.
par1mrWl