The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-03-07
LITERARY
MARCARET'S DOOM


yipdow looking careIessly out on q
cheerless night, and her white hand
rested idly on the sill. She was very
beautiful, and her beauty was rare
and marvellous type. smooth, olive
complexion, cheeks Of glowing roseate
hue. eyes dark, luminous, swimming
in liquid depth of tenderness, and
and hair of midnight darkness, cOiled
in duskv braids round fnely shaped
head. Her dress, of dark material,
was relieved at the throat by d dainty
white collar, fastened by single gilt
1ering diamond, and from her slender
finger cleaned ring of the same
quality.
She glanced out and noted the dark
ness and gloom which hung over the
surrounding landscape. The dark
heavy clouds which had obscured the
moon suddenly fioated away, and by
its faint struggling rays she plainly
discovered the figure of a man lurking
in the shades OF the pine grove oppo-
site the house. The heart Of Margaret
Whalsn stood still, and vague, unde-
fined fear fioated like a spasm Of death
through her mind. She shuddeTed
from head to foot, the preparation
gathered like drops Of pearly dew upon
her forehead.
once more she cast u glance toward
the grove. The man was standing
further out, scanning the house
closely. Then the moon was again
hidden from sight, shutting out the
shadow and light together. The
white hand was quickly raised to the
throbbing brow.
sob, great heaven, it is Abel = she
family walled.
"What is the mattert" asked her
father.
She did not reply, nor could she have
done so at that moment, If her life had
been hanging on the answer
"What is the matter, darling =
breathed q soft tender voice in her
ear. and the hand of her betrothed
was laid caressingly on her shoulder.
Nothing, Gilmore, only a slight
faintness.' she answered huskily. Il
think | shall feel better in the quiet
OF my own room.
And she turned away from the
window with a shudder. \ moment
later, with the kiss of her lover still
warm on herquivering lips, she glided
from the room.
Bat Margaret Whalse did not return
to her own room; catching mp heavy
shawl she drew 1t closely round her
shoulders. and slipped from the house.
Down the narrow walk she sped.
never needing the darkness and
scarcely conscious of walking on the
earth Half way between the house
and grove a man sprang out from a
clamp of bushes and confronted her.
He was apparently thirty years OF
age. low of stature. and with cunning
aud duplicitv marked on every Inca
ment Of o singularly handsome face.
the entire ply Siognomy of the man
indicated q william, and his physical
aspect in no wise helied the assertion.
For moment neither spoke. Each
regarded the other tixedly: one with a
look Of mingled hate and fear. the
other with glance OF settled triumph
steeled 10 pity on to tears.
abel. Fennimore 7 she calculated
pleaslingly, drawing a deep breath,
'swhat DO YOU want Z" Are yoa not
content with destroying my earthly
happiness. that you mast ever follow
ana prosecute me
do not excite youg sely, Margaret,
my queen. retorted her companion,
with eXasperAting ceolness.
Time is not SO precious but that
you can allow me half an hour. at least
70 feast on your wouGrous beauty.
Fer the love OF heaven, tell me
what vou want 1" she cried imploring-
iy. We way be discovered aI any
moment
What matters itg'' lie Inquired
nalicsouslys '.hnt, Mag, Il von are in
such hurry 10 know What am after,
i will relieve your inipasienee--It is
You
She uttered q sharp cry of fear, ard
her eyes glowed u strange unnatural
light.
.Ies, he continued. Nothing
else will satisfy me. You are my legal
wife, Margaret Whalses and rs such !
claim YOU"
Abel Fennimore, you do not mean