The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-12-13

WOKE neT from the one DTlEnJ OTedm
of her youth, snapped the tender cord
that bound her frail spirit to earth, and
out of the depths of her awful grie', the
kindly hand of death led her.
Day by day, week by week, months,
80 sped the time until eight years were
counted. Eight times the grass had
grown over the little grave in tie lor ely
country graveyard, and again the De-
tober winds rustled the scarlet leaves
over the narrow mound.
Wonderful changes had the eight
years brought Side by side with this
grave were two others, and the head
stones bore the names of good Aunt and
Uncle Smith. They had rested there
six years; and every summer beautiful
Madge Smith came down from her city
mansion and fingered in the old home
a week, trimming the grasses and plant
ing bright flowers on the mounds
Bright, beautiful Madge Smith, the
heiress of all Uncle Smiths hidden
wealth, the wealth he guarded so well
during that toil-worn, weary life.
Three years before, Madge Smith left
school, to reign queen of society. Beau
tiful, strangely beautiful, with that
cold, white, high-bred face, those wide,
fathomless, glittering amber eyes,
figure matchle $ in symmetry and grace,
accomplished, polished, and the heiress
of great wealth, no wonder that lovers
old and young, knelt at Madge Smiths
shrine. A strange wonder the world
said, that all were scorned- not gently
and with words of pity and apology,
h,t a.
scornful lips and blazing eyes.
Aye, Madge Smith was an enigma
and mystery to all who knew her. No
warmer friend, no brighter com panion
did those of her own sex seek for But
never were those lips seen to smile, or
those wonderful eyes to soften, in re-
spouse to any lovers; no glacier more
frieid than she TO all men. All, did
say? Nay, Dame Rumor had plenty of
gossip just now. Only few weeks
since new rival appeared on the scene
of action. Neil Rowan, merchant and
millionaire, entered the list of Madge
Smiths adorers-not for wealth, surely
Madame Grundy acknowledged graci-
ously. He had enough of his own. 1t
was genuine love that this blase man of
a wonderful change had come over the
fail lady since his appearance. Bright
before, she was brilliant now-sparkling
witty, bewilderiDg aud the world looked
on in amazement to see the flush stain
her cheek, and the bright smile that
lighted her eyes at his approach.
And did he not recognize her, you are
wondering7 Nay, how should he T?
Sweet Cora Smith and the summer in
the county were forgotten things with
this man. He had broken half dozen
silly hearts since then, and left them all
with time, the great healer. He had
tirted with society queens, and village
maidens, innumerable, and left the past
all behind him. And now he came and
laid the first pure, real love of his life
time at this woman's feet So he told
her, one autumn night, in the grand
parlor of her stately home.
How her hands trembled and her eyes
shone as she listened.
"Wait," she said, ", will give you
my answer tomorrow night; it is my
birthnight, and | shall give an entertain
ment. You will come; | will answer
you then. Be in the library at ten, and
you shall hear my answer.
And the night came and ne was there
waiting. He paced the room impa-
tiently. Would she ever come, this
girl that was dearer 10 him than life !?
Ay, she was life to him. The world
had seemed old, stale, favorless, until
he met her, the woman who, alone of
all her sex, had ever stirred the slum-
bering passions of his heart. How
bright the future seemed He was 50
sure of her answer; had not she given it
in so many wor,s?
My beautiful, my queenr he said,
softly. And just then he heard the
light ripple of woman's laugh in the
adjoining room. Her laugh he knew
it among thousand: and her voice !;
she was speaking loud and clear.
There, GuaIdie; you must let me go
now. MIR. Row,n is waiting for me in
the library. You know | am to give
him Els answer tonight"
And the guardians voice, speaking
tenderly, said:
And that answer, | can guess it, lit
tie Madge. You are going to marry
this man, and leave us all"
She laughed, softly.
Marry him? No, indeed, sir? He
is Just the subject for grand Irritation,
and L assure you | have acted my part
well; but for anything further-bah /!
But he is expecting me, so by-by till |
come again" and she tripped lightly
through the halfopen door, ere the
amazed guardian could utter syllable
A white, CHASTITY, shivering figure
stood by the window.
p" For Gods sake, Madge Smith, tell
me you were but jesting!' he cried, as
brilliantly, growingly beautiful, she
glided into the room.
mot so, my FRIEND" she answered,
lightly: g. spoke the truth. If YOU
overheard my words, need not repeat
them. 1t Is my answer"
"But you gave me hope; you led me
on; you have given me reason to think
you loved me-" he cried, passionately.
" 1t is the one love of my life! Ihaye
centered every hope and thought in you,
Madge Smith, and, for my sake, for
Gods sake, do not wreck my lifep'
She was rale now, and her eyes were
black and glistening.
Neil Rowan" she said, slowly, al
have prayed for this hour for eight
years; but never in my widest dreams
did l think my prayer would be so fully
answered. When | saw The hue Of
death, the white agony on my only sis
tel's cheek-when | saw her writhe in
speechless agony at the words she heard
eight years ago tonight, | vowed to
aveDQe her gain whom 7 hoo ri tl,o