The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-02-03

I may-hope."
Guy sank back in his chair paralyzed
with supreme anguish and horror,
while they walked away-the two
guilty. vile, and one of them his wife,
the woman he adored.
l do not think Guy Ravensden ever
knew how long he crouched there, in
the crisp night-air. with the stars shin
ing over him in mute, pityinS vigil.
But some time after that blow had fall
len so straight on his heart, he got up
and went in-toward the room he and
-she--occupied, TO meet a servant on
the stairs, carrying portmanteau
down.
seMr. Kesterton has Just received
telegram, sir, and left his regrets and
adieux with me for you, Sir"
This in answer to Guys interrOgatOry
look.
''He's gone then, has hep"
The well-trained man manifested no
surprise at the white, desperate face,
or hoarse, restrained voice of his mas
ter.
''Just gone, sir. Mrs. Ravenden or
dered the dogcart out for him."
.'Yes-that's all right"
And Guy walked on, half-dazedly
toward the lovely room where he knew
he would find her, and where he had
resolved to confront her with her sin.
She was there, just as he had expect
cd, and in the dim light he saw her
face was buried in her hands, and that
on her dress lay picture, a mans pic
turc, he had no doubt, and Cyril Kester-
tom s picture he could swear too without
seeing, and his wife-his wife!-he set
his teeth together-crying because her
lover had gone.
She did not hear him until he was so
near that he stopped and picked up the
photograph crushing it in his hand.
Then She gave little startled cry, and,
accustomed to the dusky shadows, he
could see vivid flush surge over her
checks And he remembered how he
had often wished he might be able to
bring just such a conscious color to her
face for loves sake. And here, the
very first time, it was shame's sake, and
his influence, and her fear, instead of
affection.
Il was looking for you; wanted
you," he said, tersely, even now Won
dering how he could say the words that
would shut her out of his life.
'.And-I was wishing you would
comc,'' she answered in strangely
low, thrilling tone. 81 wanted you,
too. 1 had-I have-something to-let
you know
All! he knew already, curses on Cyril
Kesterton's handsome face! And he
crushed the picture in his furious grasp
again.
Do you remember once of hearing
me speak of my only sister, whom had
not seen since we were children?
Well" and rapid eagerness came in
her voice, sit seems so strange, but
Mr.. Kesterton and she''-Guy started
and shuddered-"have been engaged
some time-until quite lately, when
some foolish estrangement arose Git was
Adde'S fault, 1 believe, from what can
lcarn), and the poor fellow is heart
broken over it. He has prayed me to
intercede for him with her; he has given
me her address and her picture. Where
did you lay it, Guy? Only think-my
own, own little sister, did not know
was alive! Oh! Guy, am so thankful!
And l told Cyril thought was sure
he might hope after just a little /"
Guy had sat there, listening with al
most fainting pulses, his brain reeling
with rapturous relief. but with such an
awful, dying sensation creeping over
him, that at last, when she had done,
she looked eagerly into his pale face to
be terrified into wild alarm.
''What is the matter? You are ill,
and have been thoughtlessly talking
of things that do not interest you. Guy
what is the matter? Oh, my darling
my darling! don't die just when l am
beginning to love you sor'
1t was like sudden elixir to him, in
the midst of that awful nervous pros
traticn.
'.Grace! What! You love so well as
that? You love so we'll as that?''
His voice trembled like woman's,
and Grace went down on her knees at
his feet, her glorious face uplifted, her
eyes endorsing the story her lips utter
ed
''Oh, l do do 1t has come to me
like heavenly revelation. Oh, my
husband, 1 thank heaven for the great
Joy that it has sent to me! Take me
in your arms, Guy, and say my wifeY"
The sudden revulsion of feeling
brought Guy Ravensden intense relief,
and he silently folded his wife to his
breast. The doubts and fears of his life
had suddenly passed away, leaving be-
hind intense rapture, and So, out of the
dense storm-clouds came softest sun
shine-out of awful anguish the chief
blessing of Guy Ravensden's life