The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-29
III ! EKAR =
VICTOR


Do people often wonder at their own
happiness. Certainly was wondering at
mine, as | sat alone in my pretty drawing
room, resting back in my chair allowing
my Berlin work to fall UNDECIDED Oh nv
lap, while my eyes wandered here and
there, surveying with fond pride my pos
sessions.
Many of the pictures on the walls, the
BONES on the mantel the clock, chair
here and there, had been bridal presents
and as only one short year had passed
since came to my kingdom, | had no
time to weary.
A year ago, and | had then thought
myself happy girl. ] had yet to learn
the full happiness which comes TO every
loved and loving wife; but had especial
cause for gratitude in fact which might
present pam.
Before | met viii, my husband, l had
been engaged TO a young man by "a very
few years my senior, when one discover
cd his father and grandfather before him
had died inmates of lunatic asylum.
NY parents ir mcdlatciy broke off the
engagement, and was TOO sensible not
70 bow to their decree. For time I
was very miserable, but soon after I met
VIII, ana learned that into his keeping
had passed the one true love of my life.
end he held it so tenderly, So sacredly,
that soon there was not even scar to
mark the old wound.
But the tears came freely 70 my eyes,
nor did VIII reproach me with them,
when, some six months after my marriage,
learned, in the full flush OF my happiness
that Victor Struthers' sad fate had over
taken him, and that he, too, had f-llowcd
in the steps If those gone before: that
never again the light of reason would
shine within his eyes, or the words eff love
he 50 we'll knew how to utter fall from
his lips.
These thoughts slowly came back To-
night as | sat alone-the frst evening |
had spent alone since my marriage; bat
viii had been called away by important
business. and would not be back until
late, perhaps not until tomorrow.
Once more the tears came within my
eyes As contrasted my lot with Nictors,
or shuddered at the fate which would
have been mime had followed my first
mad impulse to be his AZ any cost.
Yet, had not the loss Of the Girl he
loved fastened his doom. The physi-
not satisfy my nervous dread. | sighed
long tremulouS sigh At this latter
thought.
And surely was K imagination3-
somewhere within the room the sigh was
re-echoed.
We had in the month Of roses two long
French windows, draped with blue satin
and lace. opened on ve,na6a. which. as
the evening was cool, were closed and
fastened; but as glanced round, with
strange miSgiviIg Al my heart, saw the
folds of one tremble.
The window must then be open vet l
felt no air.
With this thought arose from my
seat, stepping forward to ascertain the
cause. ouy had barely taken a single step
when / stopped, my blood frozen, unable
II make another movement, or even part
nv lips 10 scream for help.
On the blue surface was mans white
hand-no rufiian's hand, but white and
handsome.
4 ring cleaned on one OF the ingers,
ana on its lustre my eye rested, faSci
mated IS the dove by the serpent. Where
had seen tia ring b forel Somewhere,
surely, though where my tortured mind
could not reason.
Then snmmening all my strength and
courage. with desperateeffort | turned TO
leave the room. Oncepu, closed door
between myself and that white hand.
whose invisible owner might at any mo-
ment step from his concealment, and
might know what hes, could be done.
Now was blind with terror, and could
scarcely see, though the room was bril-
hantly lighted, TO erope my way to the
door.