The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-04

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 we'll
during that toil-worn, weary life.
Three years before, Msdge 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, a
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 scorDed-no gently
and with words OF pity and apology,
but spurned from her very feet with
scornful lips and blazing eyes.
Aye, Madge Smith was an enigma
and Inystefy to all who knew her. No
warmer friend, no brighter companion
did those of her own sex seek for. But
never were those lips seen to smile, or
those wonderful eyes to soften, in re-
sponse tn any lovers; no glacier more
| frigid than she TO all men. All, did /
say? Nay, Dame Rumor had plenty of
gossip Just now. Only few weeks
since a new rival appeared on the scene
faction. Neil Rowan, merchant and
uIttffosaire, entered the list of Madge
Smiths adorers-not for wealth, surely
Madame Grundy acknowledged graci-
ously. He had enough of his own. 1t
hat q N rf
society felt for beautiful Madge. And
a wonderful change had come over the
| faii lady since his appearance. Bright
before, she was brilliant now-sparkling
witty, bewildering; and the world Looked
her cheek, and the bright smile that
lighted her eyes at his approach.
And did he not recognize her, you are
wondering? Nay, how should he?
Sweet Cora Smith and the summer in
the county were forgotten things with
this man. He had broken half a dozen
lily hearts since then, and left them all
with time, the great healer. He had
firted with society queens, and village
maidens, innumerable, and left the past
all behind him. Aud 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, az will give you
my answer tomorrow night; it is my
birthnight, and shall give an entertain
meut. You will come; viii answer
you then. Be in the library at ten, and
you shall hear my answer. -
And tine night came and he 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 seemedl He was s,
sure of her answer; had not she given it
in 30 many woris?
my be lutiful, my queenl' he said,
softly. And just then he heard the
light ripple of a woman's Laugh in the
adjoining room. Her laugh; he knew
it among a thousand; and her voice
she was speaking loud and clear.
"There, Guard,e; you must let me go
now. Mr.. Rowan is waiting for me in
the library. You know | am to give
him nis 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, s,ftly.
"Marry him7 No, indeed, sir? He
is just the subject for grand Irritation,
and l assure you have acted my part
we'll but for anything further-bah
But he is expecting me, 80 by-by till |
come again." and she tripped lightly
through the half-open door, ere the
amazed guardian could utter a syllable
stood by the window.
"For Gods sake, Madge Smith, tel
me you were but jestingl' he cried, al
brilliantly, growingly beautiful, she
glided into the room.
"Not so, my FRIEND" she answered
lightly; g. / spoke the truth. IL yot
overheard my words, 1 need not repea
them. 1t is my answer"
"But you gave me hope; you led me
on; you have given me reason to thinl
you loved me" he cried, passionately
'"It is the one love of my life! Ihav,
csntered every hope and thought in you
Madge Smith, and, for my sake, fo
Gods sake, do not wreck my lifel'
She was pale now, and her eyes wer
black aud glistening.
"Neil Rowan" she said, slowly, g"
have prayed for this hour for eigh
years; but never in my widest dream
did think my prayer would ne so full,
answered. When 1 saw the hue 0
death, the white agony on my only sis
teI's cheek-when l saw her writhe il
speechless agony at the words she hear,
] eight years ago tonight, 1 vowed t
aveDge her. Again, when / heard tn
thud of the earth upon her coffiu,
vowed that vow. 1t has been brough
about, even sooner, more compile e, thai
| had thought. If | have given yo
one hour OF such agony as she suffered
| am content IL you could live an,
) suffer it for countless ages, L should
, better contented. My work is ended
! Good-nightW ~
Two hours afterward, the sharp rim
OF pistol rang with startling distinct
, ness through the crowded drawing room
: All sprang to their feet, save Madg
Smith. Perhaps her cheek paled
littlc-I cannot tell; but the light o
her eye never changed, her smiling lip
never relaxed, as she gszed upon tn
, blood-stained corpse iu the library
: Neil Rowan had taken his own life, an
= Cora Smith was avenged.