Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-26

raised it TO her lips.
Then the laughing eyes turned
to the window. Her hand trem-
bled; she started back. She sank
into a chair, aud turned her back
to the man outside in the dark
ness-to her husband
Mr.. Wynham's unackno Sledged
dread had become terrible GER
tainty. The woman he loved had
fallen. There was no hope none.
He had no thought of vengeance
upon Satterly. He knew that she
had lead the way, and the man,
nothing 10th, had followed. lie
knew that his wife was lost. lie
sat down there on seat, hidden
by vines and creepers, utterly
hopeless, perfectly desolate.
Mrs. Wynham, are you ill, or
have you seen ghost ?" question
ed Satterly, as her rosy lips paied,
and she shrank from him.
Neither, but J fancied | saw
my husband standing by the win
dow"
"Impoasible! He will know
you cannot get home tonight.
He will trust you with me-"
Sattelly placed his glass on the
table, came to her and laid his
hand on her shoulder. A light she
had never seen before shone in his
blue eyes scanning her face. A
sneer such as 40 man had ever
dared to imply to her rang in his
voice. 1t was the first warning of
the Inevitable issue of her con-
duet. She sprang to er feet.
"There is no question of my
husbands trust in me. Will you
oblige me by trying to find out if
he is really here? 2"
Without word Ned Satterly
left the room to look for Mrs.
Wynham's husband.
Conviction comes suddenly TO a
woman. By glance, by touch.
Mrs. Wynham learned that she
had disgraced herself and her hus-
band forever-knew that unless
his forgiveness and generosity
were as strong as his love, she
must sink to the lowest depths.
Satterly came back. She had
been mistaken, her husband was
not in the house.
The storm was as bad as ever.
She could not 60 home. If she
would come into the theati next
door as before arranged it was
about time.
She was sitting in low chair.
She looked up at him, saying,
stead .ly and gravely:
"Perhaps | am nervous at being
away from him; we have never
been separated twenty-four hours
since we were married."
II should hardly have supposed
you such devoted pair said
Satterly. "Do you feel the separ-
alton so keeniy tonight ?"
Before she could move he had
stopped and flung his arm around
her neck, and his fair mustache
brushed her cheek.
She pushed him from her. She
rose up white and trembling. She
dared not commands; she could
only entreat. She could only
throw herself upon h;s mercy.
''Ned! Ned! spare me! save
me! / have given you the right
to insult me. have disgraced
him forever. Ned! Ned! spare
me! spare mel"
She fell on her knees before him,
and her agony and shame were
written in her face, echoed in her
voice.
Ned Satterly was not a bad fell
low. The woman had tempted
him terribly, and, at last, IN n,
like, his passion for her ha d grown
stronger Within him than aught
else.
He looked at her a moment.
She was in his power; she was his;
should he give her up? She had
thrown Lerself on the protection
of his honor; sht had appealed TO
him for mercy; would he dare
wrong her further?
All that was good and strong
and manly in him answered:
"Get up Edith, get up; the
blame is all mine. Forgive me. i
would give my life to undo the
cowardly wrong have done
you.
He lifted her up; she turned
from him and stood in silence for
a moment. Then, with calm
face she came back to him.
ITO morrow / will tell him all.
7 You are very good to me, Ned. /
will go to the theatre with you"
There was convulsive sob in
her voice.
mot If it pains you; not If it is
but to prove your trust in me-yet
If you only would"
al will 90. / will meet Won In