The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-09-22
A LATE ATONEMENT.


1t was in luxuriously furnished
room, where a glowing CRATE threw
genial light and warmth upon the Oc.
cupants, that Gerard Langton listened,
with bated breath and palled cheeks,
to a low and melodious voice that told
the story of love. The speaker, a
beautiful woman of about thirty, yet
ten years younger than Mr.. Langton,
reclined in low cushioned chair, her
dress, her attitude, both speaking of the
ease wealth gives, but her face full OF
the deepest anguish, as her lips re-
counted this story.
''YOu love me-" she said, gently yet
sadly, land love you as 1 have never
loved anyone before, although am n
widow. That you knew, but you did
not know my husbands name. BY my
uncle's last request l dropped it and
took his. with the property he left me.
Do not look at me tendcrly, Gerard, do
not shake my voice or my heart. for
when you know who / am, you will
not repeat the offer you have made me,
and which. Heaven is my witness, 1
tried to avert Tt't- q f
LET yonr conscience be at rest
there" said her listener. in a grave yet
tender voice ''you have never given
me one hope, Maude. BY what in
stinct / knew that you loved me. 1 can
never tell. but something in your eyes
some tone of your voice betrayed
you. If. as you say. something in your
past life docs separate us. you have
been no cOquette. to torment me with
false hope. But. Maude. tell me again,
whatever stands between us you love
met ff -e
e'I love your' she said. gravely. .'and
it. is because 1 do love you that will
not let you link your honorable name
with that of the wretch who was my
husband. was very young not six
L first met Stephen at
picnic. 1t was not before it was evil
dent that he wished to van my love,
and he had an easy task. Such love
rs child of sixteen can give, i gave
him. He was the impersonation of
every hero. of poetry or fiction with
whom my limited reading had made
me familiar. Schoolgirl like, 1 hal
made an ideal hero, and fitted this, my
first admircr. with all his imaginary
pe,fcciions.
from tile first my uncle. whose
ward was. disliked him, pronouncing
him false and shallow, and assuring
ne that my personal attractions had
not won his heart, but that the fact of
ny being heiress to a large property
lad gained me the protestations in
which 30 firmly believed. 1t is
painful story to me now, Gerard. Let it
|ufiice that rlived in world of delicious
lreams while Stephen remained near
ne. When he left. he carried my
promise to be his wife at Christmas.
81 think if my rooney had depended
lpon Uncle Richard, that my marriage
night have been prevented by his
threatening TO disinherit me, but both
rom my father and my mother in
lerited money that made me indepen-
lent, in pecuniary sense, of his con-
rol or consent. Most grudgingly,
lowever, my uncle did not consent,
fter searching inquiry about Stephen,
in no worse report than that
le was thought fast, idle. and just the
nan to be a fortune huntr. Even then,
NY dear uncle would have protected
ny fortune by setting it strictly upon
myself, but with the reckless generosi-
y of extreme youth, refused to have
his done. Never, 1 was firmly con-
would my adOred Stephen
wrong me in any way.
"FOr year after the splendid we'd
ling that made me Stephens wife was
Eery happy. was too ignorant of the
ysalue of money to understand that we
we're living far beyond our income, and
,njoyed to the utmost the luxuries sur
me-the constant gaiety, that
vas in snch strong contrast to the
'chool routine from which had just
been released. - L. ~
.'Then began life of neglect, often
If quarrelling when I objected to my
course of conduct-his drink
ng, his extravaganza, and his late
,ours.
at was four years after my marriage
when was thunderstruck by Stephens
lsking me to request a loan of money
rom my uncle, with the information
ldded that every penny of my property
vas gone. Since then I have known
hat large proportion OF it was lost on
he turf.
..Long before this had lost all love
or my husband. Respect had died out
Nhen knew the dissipated life he was
eading, and, foolish as was, could
,Ot continue to love man whom ,les-
,ised. / refused the errand. and
brought down a torrent of such gross
lbuse that l really expected Stephen
would end by striking me.
..Day after day the request was re-
,ewed, but l would not yield. would
lot ask a favor that knew would not
,ave been necessary without criminal
of expenditure, and each
-efusol made my husband more furious.
Stephen forged my uncle's name. do
lOt think my uncle would ever have
him had he guessed who
vas the forger, but he handed the whole
natter over to the law, as soon rs it
vas discovered that the cheque was
orgcd. 1t was traced to Stephen, who
vas tried at the Central CriminalC Court,
md sentenced to seven years penal
and Uncle Richard took me
,omc, full of heavenly pity and forgive
less for the child who had treated him
70 ungratefully."
'Then your husband is in prisOnP"
.sked Gerard, in Il hard, strained voice.
mo. no ; he is dead He died with
n the. first year. My uncle saw the
leatIf i'm the paper, and attended his
,urial. No-I am free ; but none the
ess l am the widow of convicted
elon." 4L #eft
but none the less" quoted Gerard,
'the woman 1 love and honor above
Ill others, and hope still to make my
Wife,
IL took, however, MORE than one in
erview full of lovers pleading to win
Naude from her resolution. She so
lonored her lover, was so proud of his
rood name and the position he had at
aimed by his talent, that her sensitive
lature shrank from even the shadow of
Ter own misery falling upon his life.
But the victory was won at last, and
he lawyer walked home one evening
ull of proud, glad joy. for Maude
lad promised to be his wife.
IF yon are willing to take Stephen
1ulrs widow for your wife, she had
aid, II will not oppose You longer, for
love you with all my heart
!. He had no thought but that of glad
riumph when he turned up the gas in
lis chambers in the Temple. He was
n.she habit of making a last visit there
sefnu<a e00iytrr hOma in casa nOfoS Or>