Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-18
yICTOR:
The story of a Mad Lover.

mine, as sat alone in my pretty drawing
room, resting back in my chair, allowing
nv Berlin work to fall UNDECIDED on my
lap. while nv eyes wandered here and
there, surveying with fond pride my pos
sessions.
Many Of the pictures on the walls, the
b;onzcs 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 pain.
Before I met WILL my husband, | had
been engaged to young man by very
few wears my senior, when one discover
ed his father and grandfather before him
had died inmates Of )unatic asylum.
NV parents ir medlately broke OFT the
ENLARGEMENT, and was too sensible not
to bow to their decree. For time l
was very miserable, but soon after | met
Will, and learned that into his keeping
had passed the one true love of my life,
and he held it so tenderly, so sacrcdly,
that soon there was not even a scar to
mark the old wound.
But the tears came freely to my eyes,
nor did Will 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 followed
in the steps Of those gone before; that
never again the light OF reason would
shine within his eyes, or the words OF love
he so we'll knew how to utter fall from
his lips.
These thoughts slowly came back to-
night as I sat alope-the first evening l
had spent alone since my marriage; but
Will 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 Victor's
or shuddered at the fate which would
have been mine had l followed my iirs
mad impulse to be his at any cost.
Yet, had not the loss of the girl h
loved fastened his doom? The physi
clans said not; but their verdict woult
not satisfy my nervous dread. | sighe'
a LONG tremulous sigh at this latte
thought.
And surely--was it imagination
somewhere within the room the sigh wa
rG-echOed.
We had in the month of roses two lon
French windows, draped with blue satl
and lace, opened on a vernada, which, a
the evening was cool, were closed an
fastened; but as glanced round, with
strange misgiving at my heart, | saw tn
folds of one trcmble
The window must then be open; yet
felt no air
With this thought ] arose from m
seat stepping forward to ascertain tn
cause, but had barely taken single ste
when l stopped, my blood frozen, unab
to make another movement, or even pa
my lips to scream for help,
On the blue surface was mans viii
hand-no ruffian's hand, but white an
handsome.
A ring CLEANED on one of the finger
and on its lustre my eyes rested, Ease
mated as the dove by the serpent. Whe
had seen that ring before? Somewher
surely, though where my tortured nil
could not reason
Then snHlmoning all my strength al
courage, with desperate effort turned
leave the room. Once put closed do
between myself and that white han
whose invisible owner might at any m
ment step from his concealment, and
might know what best could be done.
Now I was blind with terror, and cou
scarcely see, though the room was br
liantly lighted, to grope my way to t
door.
At last approached 1t, and stretch
out my arm to open the way to freedo
when five white fingers, one bearing
cleaning ring, were laid on mine, a
slowly drew me back into the room.
y'L ook at mel" said voice. sit
our work-you need not fear"
Then [ realized the truth; and glanci
up saw Victor Struthers standing beft
me.
My first sensation was of relief T
eyes, peering into mine, were lit by
old softness; around his mouth was
old smile; and, though his words WI
bitter, his handsome face was only XII
Could he be mads Or had recovt
come to him, spite of the pyhsicia
hopeless decree9
| laughed a nervous laugh, as |
swered, GLOW conld you so startle 1
Victorl What a strange way to pay
visit! Surely you could not doubt "
welcOme"
ST have not received it, he repli
though have walked one hundred nj
that you might give it to me. take
welcome but the old one, Elsie
And he stopped as if to kiss me, br
drew back, shuddering.
"What! no greeting?' he exclaim
and slowly there crept into his eyes l
I had never seen there before lool
cunning and Of mortal dread.
He glanced round the room.
II have waited so long--waited to
you alone. We are going on q jour
tonight, you and I, Elsie. But you
not fear it if you are with me-. eve
Death be the boatman to row usfacl
Listen, Elsie am tired OF life.
one thing only has made me cling
so long, and that is, the gates of hes
would not open to receive me unles
were by my side; SO have come for
In that moment knew the tru