The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-09-14
Selfrt>Snry.
CLE0NE GRAY.
BY LIZZIE NJ. MULHERN.

|
loved her so tenderly and well, loved
her, it seemed to me. from our childhood
and going abroad had carried her fair
young face with me as my sweetest
memory and my talis1AA against temp.
tation.
Coming home at the end of FIVE years,
this was the story that met me:
Guy, my handsome, naughty brother,
was doomed to fill drunkard's grave,
and Cleone Gray's faithlessness had
driven him u it.
She bad given him her promise to be
his wife, then coolly, deliberately broken
, her engagement.
After that his descent had been rapid,
and this was the end-death.
"Will you tell her am dying. Dou.
glass ?" he said; "tell her that to see her
face is nv last wish on earth ?"
think no two brothers loved each
other better than Guy and l. We were
singularly alike in appearance, but l,
though the younger, was stronger, NOR e
determined, firmer in character than ever
Guy could be. He, naturally noble, gen.
tie and generous, was easily led by any
stronger will, continually making good
resolutions and breaking them.
l had met Cleone Gray more than
once; but in my bitter anger had avoided
her as much as possible, merely bowling
my thanks when she welcomed me back,
barely touching the slender white hand
she offered me.
She must have read the scorn in my
eyes; but her proud. calm face gave no
sign She looked at me gravely-almost
pityingly, it seemed-then turned quietly
away.
Once again she had come to me and
laid her hand on my arm.
Douglass" she said gently, "why do
you avoid ne2 We used to be friends
years ago-playmates in our childhood.
Douglass, can 1t be you think am the
cause Of Guy's-Guy's-"
She paused aud raised her eyes to
mine, as it, trying to read my thoughts.
Oh, God! In that moment l realized
how passionately. even deeming her un
worthy, I loved Der.
But was strong-strong in my man
hood and my pride, and would crush
it 10 death, even if my heart died with
it,
All, did l crush it2 Pacing my room
with restless footsteps l realized all
Cleone Gray was to me.
hent over her now.
Zone question, Cleone," said; "did
you promise to become Guys wife 7
Did his ring encircle your finger ?"
eyes. l promised to become his
wife "
s'Then refused to fulfill your engage
ment; took hack your promise and
wrecked his life ?"
Her face grew pale, her lips curved
hsuehtily as she raised her eyes to mine
81 am judged already" she said cold.
Iy; "but by what right know not, ex-
cept The right of presumption.
"And you can say this to me--you,
Cleone Gray, who brought my brother
my handsome, gifted brother, to the
death he is dying
Her face grew white, her red lips
trembled. but her self-control never failed
her.
"Mr Vernon forgets that he ought to
he gentleman, as he forgets | am
lady.
Without another word turned away,
and now stood beside the death bed of
Guy, and heard him calling:
sCeone-Cleone!"
"You wish to see her-yon SHALL" I
said then. "Can you forgive her,Guy3'
He looked at me, then smiled.
"You do not know what you are talk
ing about. Forgive Cleone Gray" and
be smiled again.
"He may live till morning." the doc.
tor said, "and be may not see twelve
o clock"
douglass. could only see her once
again." he said. "Oh, my lost love
my darling!"
aYou shall see her, Guy. l will GO
for her"
1t was her birthnIeht, and l knew
would find her at home. She was stand
ing under the gasligbt when entered,
and she came forward to meet me.
Even then her rare, fair beauty thrilled
me, md l noticed the clustering lilies
in her breast and hair.
"Guy is dying" / said; "he wishes to
see you, Miss Gray. Will you Gomez ?"
God knows / did not mean to be even
cruel then, and / was simply brutal, but
did not realize it till saw how her face
blancheG white as death.
In moment she recovered herself,
though she still trembled slightly.
81 will come, but not at present; I
cannot leave my guests just yet awhile"
She bowed coldly and turned away,
and felt dismissed
Guy looked at me with eager, ques-
tioning eyes when entered.
"She did not come, but she will. My
darling is very proud. Douglass; but
she will come to me before die. All,
Cleone, how / loved you, yet even that
love could not save me. My poor, proud
love-"
went over to the far end OF the
room and sat down in the shadow, and
leaned my head on my band, my soul
| filed with an awful bitterness.
Suddenly there was the sound of light
footsteps, then the door opened and
Cleone Gray came in.
She was still in her ball dress of
creamy silk, the lilies still nestled in her
breast and hair, for the long cloak she
had wrapped around her fell from her
shoulders as she kneeled beside the bed.
She did not notice me in the shadow
as she bent over him and pushed the
damp curls from his brow.
my love-my love!' be said, "the
struggle is over, hut Cleone, believe me,
I tried hard to keep this last promise
tried and failed. 1t is better should
Idle; I would never be worthy of your
love. When that could not save me
was doomed"
"You will not die, Guy," she said,
softly, "yel will live and strive once
1again, and at last, nay love, you will con-
lquer."
"Never," he said, his voice growing
weaker; "but had you married me, Gle
one. had yOu been nv wife. il would