Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-23

you. This Mr.. Furval who is here s.
often must come no more. The da,
might dawn when you would becomt
interested In him, and / would be yer,
cease. He is fascinating. With hi
honeyed words and phrases he sets trap
for hearts as the fowler for game. H
makes boasts, too, of his conquests,
hear. The words I love you fall TOT
readily from bis lips. The question, b
my wife?' neverW
Pale, as ashes. Clara had been abou
to utter an indignant denial of all he
aunt had said. When she had addeC
these last words, '"The question, BE my
Wiie2' y they seemed to lend 6
ring Of truth to all that had gone before
yet her loyalty stood her in good stead
and her pride made her hide the freshly
gaping wound.
"You are unjust, aunt" she replied
speaking with effort. "Why should you
believe what gossips say ?"
Because 1t has extended Its voice to
you-because its says that you, too, are
under the spell of this mans wonderful
fascination. Many are the hearts he
has broken, Clara-he shall not break
yours"
"If what you say be true,n she said,
defiantly, 'it is already broken, but
do nOt-I will not believe it! He loves
me, and II love him ~ 4 -
He has asked you to become his
The question cut like knife to the
girls quivering heart.
mo. not in words. I did not even
miss them, SO sure was of his purpose
Why-why do you come here to torment
me?"
because would save you, and be-
cause he shall never know his latest
victim. Child, look here! This was
sent me yesterday"
| And she placed sheet of paps ia the
little outstretched hand.
1t was covered with the handwriting
OF him of whom they spoke, and it was
a mad, psssinpate declaration of his love
for her to W whom it was addressed. There
was neither name nor daie- only his
signature, bold ana Free
"Clara. you believe now?"
| "Yes, believe" she answered, softly.
leave me to myself"
| The rext day, when Eben Furval call
ed, daintily folded note was put into
his hand. Eagerly he tore it open, and
read these words:
| II must ask you not to see me again.
You are better actor than I. l have
wearied of the farce. Doubtless, with
the world for your audience, you can
! find some one better fitted TO play my
part"
This was all. Thus had the child
striven to hide the wound from which
was pouring what she vainIy hoped
might be the life current.
With bitter curse, ending in groan,
the man crushed the paper in his hand.
"Oh, God!" he said, beneath his
breath. AFTER all these years, is this a
second time to be my reward? Is there
no truth in woman ?"
And his soul echoed "none"
But Clara had been half child, half
woman. Only yesterday her eyes had
There was some mistake, some treach-
cry. He could not let her thus escape
him. He had been world worn and
weary. Her love had been like finding
the cooling spring in the arid DESERT
Must he pass it by, and perish of thirst
Not so! He would write to her, and
beg her to tell him if she had but play
ed with him. 1fsN, let her silence an
swer if not, to bid him to come to her.
His very soul seemed to pour itself out
upon the senseless sheet. The next day
be himself sew il delivered at her door
What he unhappii.y did not see, were the
hands that received it.
"It will but make the child grieve
more,H reasoned her aunt and with the
seal unbroken laid it on the flames.
For what had Clara hoped as the
eeary days went by? Had she expect
ed ;.ny answer to the poor little note
with which she lad struggled to bolster
up her pride?
Paler and more wan she grew as her
hope died. Truly she was "under the
SPELL" said her aunt, sadly; but her own
lips were dumb, until the strain on
brain and heart gave way, and the name
she had held so long unspoken was
breathed in every accent of love and de-
lay tossing in delirium.
Her aunt, good woman though she
was, could have cursed the names own
er as she listened, shudderingly, to its
repetition.
"My own poor little lamb, she would
whisper, tearfully, why might he moi
have spared you"
But one day, when the whisper had
spread abroad that Clara Yelling was
dying, a man, haggard and white, forc-
ed himself into her presence.
"Let me see her?" he entreated.
Some spirit rose in the crush ID hear:
at 81 hit Of him.
"Ynu wonld see your victim?" she
questioned with scorn. "Wait until
your work is complete-it will not be
long"
eff you have a wOman's soul within
you. tell me what you mean ?" he an
swereti. "My victim? Do you know
that one little month ago nv deares
hope was to make Clara LIy wife? All
heaven thought she shared it then
But they tell me she is dying. Let mt
buwsee her once"
Was the man speaking false? or haC
she, who meant to save the child
) brought this to pass ?
'.Wait here" she commanded, anC
hurried from the room.
When she returned she carried in he
hand a sheet of paper.
"This was sent me-" she explained
"Did you write it?"
He glanced over it, and his face paled
EYES," he said. "Ten long years ag'
when l was lad of twenty, 1 loved tn,
woman to whom it was addressed, an,
she played with and Tilted me. For
time lost all faith in women, until
until met Clara. She taught me wha
it was to love again, but this time will
the endless passion of the man. Tn
woman I once loved is a widow now
To you 1 may confess she has strivel
vainly to allure me back into the tolls
Doubtless. she has sent you this paper
'Tell me"-a sudden light dawnin,
upon him-''did Clara see and believ
this?"
The woman bowed her head,
Forgive !" she murmured brok
emily. Help me to nurse my darling
back to life, and together we will max
her atonement"
: 1t was hard struggle they had Sc
themselves, but they conquered.
Perhaps even in her delirium Clar
knew who answered to his name, o
| rt,N r h. - l., - l