Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-01-20

If her youth, snapped the tender cord
hat bound her frail spirit to earth, and |
,ut of the depths of her awful grief, the |
Kindly hand of death led her.
Day by day, week by week, months,
10 sped the time until eight years were
Eight times the grass had
grown over the little grave in the lonely
country graveyard, and again the Octo-
Der 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,
fathomlsss, glittering amber eyes, a
figure matches 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,
but spurned from her very feet with
scornful lips and blazing eyes,
Aye, Madge Smith was an enigma
and mystery to all who knew her. No
warmer friend, no brighter companion
did those of her own sex geek for. But
never were those lips seen to smile, or
those wonderful eyes to soften, in re-
Spouse to 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 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 gra-
ciously. He had enough of his own. It
was genuine love that this blase man of
society felt for beautiful Madge. And
a wonderful change had come over the
fair lady since his appearance. Bright
before, she was brilliant now-spark-
ling, witty, bewildering and 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
wondering? Nay, how should he?
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
flirted with society's 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, II will give you my
answer to morrow night; it is my birth
night, and shall give an entertainment.
You will come 1 will answer you then.
Be in the library at ten, and you shall
hear my answer"
And the night came and he was there
waiting. He paced the room impa-
tiently. Would she ever come, this
girl that was dearer to him than life
Aye, 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 SO
sure of her answer; had not she given
it in so many words?
softly. And just then he heard the
| iohf vin nf q NJ 1orrh in, he
adjoining room. Her laugh; he knew
it among a thousand; and her voice
she was speaking loud and clear.
'"There, Guardie; you must let me &c
now. Mr.. Rowan is waiting for me in
the library. You know I am to give
him his 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 filtration
and assure you I have acted my par
well; but for anything further-bah
But he is expecting me, so by-by till
come again." and she tripped lightly
through the half-open door, ere the
amazed guardian could utter syllable
A white, CHASTITY, shivering figure
stood by the window.
"For Gods sake, Madge Smith, tel
me you we're but jesting!" he cried, al
brilliantly, growingly beautiful, she
glided into the room.
mot so, my friend" she answered
4 lightly: II spoke the truth. If yor
overheard my words, need not repeat
them, 1t is my answer"
"But you gave me hope; you led mt
on; you have given me reason to think
you loved me-" he cried, passionately
'It is the one love of my life! 1 nave
centered every hope and thought in you
Madge Smith, and, for my sake, fol
Gods sake, do not wreck my life !"
She was pale now, and her eyes were
black and glistening.
"Neil Rowan" she said, slowly, 81
have prayed for this hour for eigh1
years; but never in my widest dreams
did think My prayer would be so fully
answered. When I saw the hue O
death, the white agony on my only sis
ter's cheek-when I saw her writhe ir
speechless agony at the words she hearC
eight years ago tonight, I vowed t.
avenge her. Again, when l heard thu
thud of the earth upon her coffin,
vowed that vow. It has been brought
about, even sooner, more complete, thar
I had thought. If have given yor
one hour of such agony as shessufered
am content. If you could live ano
suffer it for countless ages, should b.
better contented. My work is ended.
Good. night! vsseSss .8a
Two hours afterward, the sharp ring
of pistol rang with startling distinct
ness through the crowded drawing room
All sprang to their feet, save Madge
Smith. Perhaps her cheek paled a lit
tle-I cannot tell; but the light of hel
eye never changed, her smiling lips
never relaxed, as she gazed upon the
blood stained corpse in the library
Neil Rowan had taken his own life, anG
Cora Smith was avenged.