The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-06-10
Selfrt Shrv.
OUT IN THE STORM.

She stood with the open letter in he
hand, trembling and ashen pale, and a
last had 10 clutch at the nearest chair to
keep herself from falling.
at is all over!' she cried after &
while, putting her hand to her forehead
with dazed look; ''all overall over
And yet, o, how l loved him p
Tue matter between Lydia Trenthan
and Leonard Drake had been runaway
one. Her family was richer than his and
ambitious that she should make great
alliance, for she was beautiful and nc.
complished, and bad such a charming
manner that everybody raved about her
Wien, therefore, she fell in love with
Leonard Drake, who had but compare.
lively small competence, and no business
knowledge whatever, her father angrily
bade her dismiss such lover forever
from her thoughts. But with Lydia, as
with most romantic girls, this stern de-
cree acted only as an additional incen-
tive. She thought her father unjust, and
vent on loving Drake more than ever
Finally she eloped. From that day her
parents looked on her as on the dead.
"She has made her bed, let her lie In
| it," said her father savagely.
There had been only one cloud on the
happiness of the wife. Sac had come to
her husband penniIess when he bad a
right to expect fortune, and sue feared
that some day he might regret his choice.
All at once, like thunderbolt out of o
clear sky, came the crushing blow which
destroyed her happiness in one hour.
In his bachelor davs, and before be
had met Lydia Trentham, Leonard
brakes name hsd been associated with 8
beautiful girl who afterward married q
Mr. Dorchester. banker. People said
she had never loved him, but that hel
heart had been given to Leonard Drake
that Leonard had really loved her. and
that Miss Bentley had only taken the
rich banker because, IS she said, Leon
ard and herself we're too poor to mss-
ry."
LydIs,at the time, hearing these thiugs
had not been without jealousy; but the
entire devotion Of Leonard had, in the
end, satisfied her; aud FOR years she bad
forgotten even tie existence OF Mrs
Dorchester.
Suddenly Mrs. Dorchester had appear
ed at the summer resort where the
brakes were residing temporarily. Here
she had renewed her acquaintance With
Leonard. Lydia remembered we'll how
embarrassed both had seemed at the ua-
expected meeting. Mrs. Dorchester was
a widow now; notes began TO pass b,-
tween her aud Lydia's husband; and
twice the vile had detected them walking
together in the dusk of The evening.
For weeks she had struggled against
canviclion, hoping toward the last
against hope. until this day when she had
found torE and crnmpled letter hidden
between the pages OF book, the first
words OF which drove her almost insane.
She remembered now that she had sur
prised her husband that morning reading
a letter which, to her astonishment, he
had shuffled into an open volume before
him but she had not noticed what book
it was, and it was BY an accident only
she now discovered it.
1t was but the part Of letter, how
ever, that she found. The paper had evil
IDENTIFY been torn into several pieces, and
only portion had been thrust into the
book, as il $50 she reasoned now her
husbands agitation had deprived him
for the moment of bis seli-control. Uu-
der any other circumstances paper be
longing to Leonard Hould have been
sacred to her, but when she saw the first
significant words, "We must keep the Sc
cret," she read Mrs. Dorchester's sigma
ture at the end.
Much was lost, all was more or less
incoherent, but enough remained to con-
vince the tortured wife that everything
was over for her in the way of happiness
in this world.
She remained there for nearly half an
hour dszed, crushed, not knowing as
yet what to do. The door opened at last
aud old Dorcas came 10. Old Dorcas
had been Lydia's nurse and had folio wed
her after her marriage, the only one,
poor or rich, that had stuck to her fallen
fortunes. She stsrted back on seeing the
| ashy face of her mistress.
What is i, ?" said Lydia, rousing her.
self.
IA note from Mr.. Drake" was the
reply. But deary me! are you i'll
ma'am?"
"No, / am quite well," answered thu
poor wife with great effort. "Ah,
see that Mr.. Drake writes he is going to
join party to go up to Dover not to re,
turn till night, if will excuse his CON-
ing hack to dinner
"Yes," said Dorcas vaguely.
"rhe man who brought the note wait;
for an answer. Tell him to say 10 Mr.
Drake, 60, by all means haven
time or would write."
Dorcas started off, but her mistress
voice again made her parse.
"When you have sent him away come
to my room-I want you,' said Lydia.
There Was little delay but when Dor
cas- entered the room her mistress val
busy with travelling bag.
"Dorcas." che said, .you have beer
with me all my life-do you want to re
main with me still p
The voice was so cold, the face 8,
white, Dorcas dared make no scene.
III go with you to the worlds end
ma am" abe answered feelingly.
"Then get ready. am going to Bos
ton-on from there as fast as can. Tel
nobody. Get your things out of tn
house as secretly as possible"
"Going? Where2 What is the mai
ter ?" groaned Dorcas.
"If you can't be quiet and obey with
ont question you must stay behind,
Lydia answered in the same hard, un
natural voice. "Be quick and choose
/ have no time to waste
She sat down and wrote letter to he
husband, inclosed the torn page she ha
found, and poured ont the mad jealous
of the past weeks that had this day cul
minated.
II have done now" she wrote uPeo