The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-01-15

Down in the parlors the music was
still crashing in loud, sweet strains, and
Mordaunt Leslie walked away from the
hideous mockery of gaiety and happi.
ness-away to the furthest end of the
long veranda, where the moonlight
came only dimly, and where, IN one Of g
dozen vacant chairs, he threw himself,
in sheer prostration of spirit, in utter
horror at the prospect that stretched end
lessly before him, in anguished dismay
at what he had left behind him.
Into the almost uncomfortable pain OF
that vigil, woman's voice, low, intense,
earnest, broke into sudden voice-a wo,
mans voice, from just on the other side
of him-of whose presence Leslie had
no knowledge until he heard her speak
until, with start almost as keenly sharp
as if he had taken an electric shock, he
rec gnized Olympia Osmond and Mr..
Halvernon as the speakers.
"There is no use of our recalling it,
Harold-no possible use. | told you
then-that was four years ago-that, al
though l loved you as | never should
love another man, should not marry
except for fortune. tell you, tonight,
Harold, as frankly as then, | shall mar
ry Mordaunt Leslie, because he can
give me the wealth my soul Graves and
will have.
Mr.. Halvernon's quick, eager answer
came:
"You are too cruel, too heartless,
Olympia! The woman never lived who
could deliberately act and talk as you do;
and, by the heavens above us, / have a
| mind to go to Leslie with the story, and
make him give you up!'
Leslie Strengthened in bis chair, and
listened to Miss Osmond's low, cold
laugh.
"No you wouldn't, Harry; and if you
did it would be of no avail. He believes
in me implicitly. Why, for months ]
succeeded in convincing him that / would
not look at man who had money-poo1
dupe-when all the while | was in
egonies lest | should let him slip. So,
you see, Harry, that shall be all l de-
sired-rich, courted, envied and humor-
| ed"
Mordaunt suddenly stepped in front
of the two, perfect glory of thankful
relief on his face, a perfectly crushing
contempt and disgust in his words:
"Permit me to add, Miss Osmond, as
! one who is only too jubilant at this mar
row escape, that not as the wife of Nor
! daunt Leslie will you reap your reward.
! From this moment I consider myself
! well-released from my engagement tC
! you. Be 50 kind as to return to me the
visible form of our late betrothal"
| He stood there like q prince in his
I oil o.
mond's face blanched to the hue of the
ivory silk she wore, as she returned his
calm gaze in speeches. confusion anC
rage.
"The ring, if you please, Miss Os
mond. Thanks very much. Goodbye
Good night, SIR
He tossed the glittering toy clear of
the lawn, the avenue, the bluff, tht
sands, into the ocean, and walked away
almost staggering under the weight o
happiness suddenly opened to him.
He was free-free as the air; and Vic
let loved him-Violet his darling, hi
treasure, his dear one
He looked at his watch; it was not to-
late, half-past eleven, not too late t
claim his love for his own before tina
fated day ended So he rushed to hi
room and penciled a short, implorin'
note, haf-explaining, half-entreating he
to come to him for only one moment, t.
tell him she would take him for all an,
forever.
Then he waited for her, in the husl
of the midnight that was coming-waite'
for just one glance of her eyes to thin
Of till the morrow-waited while tn
servant delivered the message and wa
gone, Oh, so long, so long, and then cam
back white-faced and trembling-voiced
to say that the doctor was there, bu
said Miss Violet was dead They Ia,
found her kneeHng by her bed, fftee,
minutes before, but nothing could b
done-heart disease, undoubtedly.
And so recorded the romance of MOI
daunt Leslie's lonely life-the story @
one night, whose shadow of sunles
darkness never should lift again for him