The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-04-20
She clunc closely to him. her dark

ley my darling. l can not, ! VIII no
give you up. Oh, Harley Harley
you will not desert me?"
lie took her IN his arms, kissed hel
beautiful lips, called her his love, hi
darling. his own beautiful Raidee, anc
then went home aud wrote to Leal
Carlyle.
One quiet evening, week later, h'
stood waiting for Raidee Danton, il
the shadow of the tree, under who's,
dropping branches she had sat the frs
time he saw her.
There was a slight excitement in hi'
manner, and he walked impatiently
M and down till he saw her coming
towards him.
How beautiful you are, R,idee,
he said, folding her in his arms, aud
kissing her again and again.
She was strangely beautiful then,
in her soft, white dress, with her dark
curls falling loosely over her should
ers, ard clustering in tiny rings over
her forehead, her lips scarlet, her
cheeks flushed crimson.
One hour later Iaidee Danton and
Harley Vane knelt side by side, and
the solemn words we're spoken that
made them one.
The last benediction had scarcely
been given when the door opened and
Mrs. Danton stood before them.
Am I too late to stop the mar
riages" she said.
Harley turned towards her with a
smile.
YES he said, you are too late,
she is my wife now"
He looked at Raidee, but instead Of
answering his glance, she threw her.
self ON her knees before her mother.
"Do not tell him! Do not tell
him!" she cried, piteou'ly; "he will
know soon enough"
Had any of them been looking at
Mrs. Danton's face, they would have
noticed the blush tinge that had crept
around her mouth, the gray shadow
that had fallen over her f,ce.
81 must tell him." she said, "it is
necessary. Oh, my child. my child,
l must. Harley Vane. you have mar.
ried-you have married IA -"
She threw her hands up, then fell
forward in the arms of Harley Vano.
"She is dead" said the minister,
"heart disease; she always suffered
from it," and then Raidee Vane fell
fainting on the ground.
A little more than a month passed
and Harley Vane and his beautiful
wife lived in their stately home in one
of New York's most fashionable ave
nues.
From the day of his marriage, Har
ley Vane was a changed man.
Leah Carlyle had been a ward Of
his father. and had always lived with
them, and she and his mother waited
to welcome his bride.
His mother received her collly, tell
ing Harley she had made arrange
ments for leaving, but gentle Leah
after kissing R,idee, laid her hand in
his.
"Your wife is very beautiful, Har
ley" she said.
No wonder Harley Vanc was chang
ed; dark shadow had fallen between
him and his wife; on the very day Of
his II arriage.
She had deceived him, that he knew
that she had dark secret, he wa,
well aware; but it was to late to re
pent, and he was too proud TO ask hel
to tell him the truth, and trust in hi,
forbearance.
One thing he knew. his inhtuatior
was over; the dark beauty that hac
once thrilled him, he almost shranl
from now.
He had wrecked his life's happiness
by one hasiy net, for he knew his wifi
would never, Of her own free will, tel
him the secret that stood between
them, and while its dark shadow lin
gered over them, they would be les'
than strangers.
God help him, for it was then h
awoke to the knowledge that he still
loved Leah Carlyle, as he had never
loved Raidee Danton, and he almos
hated the fatal beauty that had mad
him false to his heart.
Once he met Leah in the hall whel
she came to visit Raidee.
He looked so pale and worn, that I
great pity arose in her heart for him
in spite of the wrong he had done her
Harley" she said, softly, II pit,
you from my heart"
docs my wife pity me'' he said
bitterly. "Oh, Leah! was in m,
right senses when married herr"
ut is dreadful" Leah said; "bu
did you never suspect it, Harley"
Leah" he said, quickly, "do yo'
know her secret, Did she tell il to 20,