The Russellville Democrat., 1881-09-08
CLnTpS AND SUNSHINE.

No, there were not many women in the world who. unless they have loved already. would have looked with dis favor upon Guy Rayensden; not many who, heart free, but would have gladly given up their lives into his keeping; and although Grace Thornton, looking back from this hour. just after the wedding ceremony, knew that she had never loved h.m, she also knew that she would do her best. her greatest best, to never let him regret what he had done.
 IL was almost heart-breaking that she did not love him, could not love him for he was entirely enthralled by her, so perfectly devoted, and was one of the handsome, gallant men, who are are ire sis;ible in their way with women.
 Besides he had done So much in talk ing her from her obscure position, and placing her where all his world of social exclusiyeneSs and wealth, and high birth might know and admire, and envy her as the wife of such 8 man as Guy Ravensden would have 10 command ad- miration and envy.
 But. after all. the half pitiful strange ness of her marriage. poor child ,-after the halfwounded way in which she had apparently and 50 indiherently received the congratulations of her husbands guests-after it all, and when she and Guy were alone, then it hurt and pained her s0 keenly that the knowledge that he deserved so much and could receive So little at her hands, because she did not and could not love him.
 And there was such a possibility of absorbing passion even in her face, in her exquisitely curved and colored lips, her lovely white-lidded eyes-passion and devotion that the master hand had not yet aroused from its sleep-and she was his wife, and he loved her so dearly. and accounted all things a loss in the balance with her love.
 Something Of such feeling expressed itself in his handsome face as he took her caFessingly in his arms.
 My precious little darling my bles- sed little wife,
 And, if ever 8 woman meant 1t, Grace meant it when she looked up in his face and shining as summer sky, and an- swered him.
 " You are so good, Guy-you are so good to me It seems as il all must be some wonderful dream from which 1 have to awake"
 He held her beautiful golden head down against his breast with 8 caress oi infinite tenderness.
 And you are glad it is not dream, but beautiful reality, Grace ?'
 She whispers her answer.
 Could l be serry? Would any wO- man be sorry"
 Just shadow of dissatisfied yearning showed itself briefly in his face.
 Grace, leok in my eyes moment yes, there, like that, while you say some- thing to me you have never said yet, through all our oourtship. But surely my wife will tell me she loves me- Dear, did you know you never, in so many words told me you love me 2"
 The faintest little smile curved her lips. How her heart sank at his tender words.
 Did neyer-really? You know I am never very demonstratiye, Guy, but but-why, how absurd Am I not your wife? Of course I-I love you.'
 And the sweet, hesitAnt words that stirred all his blood carried with them none of the heart-breaking truth.
 The days and weeks went by, every one of them teaching Guy Ravensden to love his beautiful wife more and better; and So gentle, so good was she that he never dreamed that the sometime re- siraint in her manner, the desperate, hopelessly patient look in her eyes, meant that her heart was starved, be- cause he could not furnish it it's nourish- ment.
 That autumn, after the close ef the London season, he took her to his spa eious, magnificent home in Sussex, a home replete with every luxury and de- vOtiOn that money could procure. Guests were invited, and among them was Cyril hesterton.
 That was the beginning of the end the day that Cyril crossed Guy Ravens denis threshOld-yet 1t was a long time before Guy understood it all.
 But somehow he was vaguely conscious there was something happening how he realized that something was oc- curing, and II was not very long after that vague discovery before he learned that his wife was not as she had been before Cyril kesterton came. Then, when he saw the delicious light in her blue eyes, that he had 80 passion ately longed to see there-when he heanl her light, happy laugh, as he had 50 often wondered lie did not hear it oh, then the jealousy, the horror, the de- spair that overwhelmed him. He struggled manf1lly to conceal what he suffered, but he was not the same, same for all his dHssts efforts to He could not, to save fffs life. caress and pet her as he WAS in the habit of doing. Great heaven to think she was in love with another man, and that man the friend who was eating his salt daily What should he do2 Was Grace false tO him, or was it his own mad jealousy that magnifed his acts and looks and elurtesiesg Until one cool, starlit night, vixen ha was lounging in rustic chair on the | mOonlit lawn, and then he heard Cynls ] voice, that rich, Caressiug, charming ! voice of his that Guy suddenly remem- 1 bered women loved to hear. This cannot last much longer Mrs. | Ravensden, or I shall go mad Be mer- ciful. If you can bless me, bless me now. . Is there any hope for me-
 Great beayenl Cyril Kes,erton had dared And then her voice-Grace's-his l wiies voice. Don't ask me just yet. Be patient just little longer for l think you may hOpe" Guy sat back in his chair paralyzed with supreme horror and anguish, while they walked away-the guilty vile, and one of them his wife, the woman he