West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-05-25


after years Of careful culture!
Just then note WAS brought TO him
by servant. As he glanced at il the
hot blood flushed his haggsrd face
Helen was the singer, and she was wait
ing for him in the conservatory.
" You will pardon me for coming
here, she wrote; "it is for your own
sake wish TO speak with you. came
/ with an invited guest, and as Dulcie de
Leon, the prima donna, no one recog-
/ nizes me rs one who was once known by
/ another name"
Poor hearti poor, broken heart
true TO the last!' he murmured, and
\ two great tears rolled down and
smirched the note he held with CULVER
ing fingers.
He went to the conservatory. BY the
fountain, beside tall Egyptian lily, he
saw grand figure in dead black robes.
and noble head with a single white
flower in the golden hair.
Why are you here, Helen % he asked,
kindly.
For a moment she looked at him, her
dusky gray eyes full of trouble and wist-
full surprise. She could have flung her
self down among the flowers and sobbcd
aloud her grief, when she saw the sad
change those few years had wrought
upon the handsome, spirited man she
had 80 dearly loved But she answered
him with quiet gentlene.s.
| have come TO save you, Stephen" +"
she said.
You?" he returned, in troubled
whisper.
Yes, Stephen" she replied; for
the love you once bore me, for the sake
of the happy days, have come to be-
friend you, for before to-morrows sun
goes down there will not he another
in all this great city to defend or TO help
you"
He was too troubled to wonder how
she knew so intimately of his misfor-
tunes and of the disgraceful calamity
that threatened him, and he turned a
fearful glance toward the entrance seen
across the parlor where Cleia, in her
rubies and amber silk, stood among her
guests with laugh on her lips.
- You have been suspected Of mon
stLous fraud" went on Helen, sadly;
for many weeks your accusers have
been searching for proof against you.
They have obtained sufficient 10 Justify
your arrest. You may be imprisoned
within the hour. ] could not live and
shame. For the sake of our dear child,
! implore you to do as | shall advise you
Ready funds | know you have not.
have made much money since / began
the life of public singer. That is
placed at your disposal, and | have
brought here with me enough for your
present demands. Take it, stephen, and
leave the country"
81 cannot" he gasped "Helen,
cannot Besides | shall never 90 into
prison. The shock Of arrest would strike
me dead. The old heart trouble, ac-
celerated by the excitement OF recent
events, gives me warning of the sort of
death our good doctor prophesied for me
long ago. My mistaken life is nearly
ended, Helen"
AS he spoke, and while Helen was re-
garding him with mournful anxiety, he
turned again and gazed across the par
lor toward the entrance. Some person
had just entered whom Clelia had ap-
preached with displeasure and impe-
rious impatience. Instinctively he knew
what il meant
He took step forward, and saw be.
yond the fash Of jewels and the CLEAN
of flowers three strange forms standing
like grim sentinels outside the parlor
door in the dazzle of light that filled the
hall. He knew they were officers of the
Law. lie grew deadly pale, and CON
vulsive tremor shook him from head 10
foot. He gasped, reeled, and as if struck
by heavy blow, dropped down among
the sheltering lilies.
All the sleepless anxiety, the cease
less agony, the ruthless remorse and
dread that had racked him for weeks.
had eliminated in the mortal shock he
had just presaged.
Instantly his repudiated wife was on
her knees beside him holding the poor
head TO her breast.
90, Stephen speak to meW she i'm
plored.
" IT is all over, Helen" he said,
family. "The time that you predicted
has come, and ] acknowledge you my
first and last and best beloved True
heart, dear saint, in your arms die
content"
stephen Darrell never spoke again for
him the tragedy Of life was done.
The guests were gone, and Clelia sat
alone among the whitening flowers in
the, splendid parlor, disdaining sym
pathy.
@ Your husband is dead she was
told
Sullen and naughty still, she made no
sign that she heard They thought that
sudden gr ef had stunned her.
Mr.. Darrell was a kind husband 7p
said the maid who attended her lady
that night
He disgraced me, was tho heartIess
answer
She was susceptible Of keen sense Of
disgrace, she could bewail the loss Of
wealth, she could wiring her hands and
weep the dereliction Of the fashionable
friends who forgot 10 send condolences.
but not one tear did she give To the
memory of the man whom she had lured
70 his doom
1T was Helen who saw the last sod
| laid upon the dead mans grave and who
placed thereon floral tablet Of amaranth
and asphodel lettered with snow-white
buds My best beloved"
a------
a NEw religious sect called " Puri-
| iiers has arisen in the Greek church I'm