The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-03-15
the sweet mouth quivered ss che pas.
sionately clasped her little white hands.

~ WAS may OuebteT D WeuUiuX uIkuts
and Ray Harcourt stood in the library
awaiting bis wife. The door opened and
Lucille advanced; Ray felt q thrill of
pride as be gazed on her. She was dress
ed simply yet elegantly, in snowy satin
with floating axuA ribbons here aud
there, and setting Oh The richness OF her
bair, gathered back in its natural waves
in one soft mass. She looked 80 sweet
and beautiful that Raymond, as he led
her to the carriage in waiting, could with
difficulty refrain from clasping her to his
heart.
Judge Chester's residence was ablsze
with light as Lucille and her husband
entered the well-filed rooms. Lucille
looked up into her husbands eyes with
q cold smile.
"Your revenge has been sweet, Mr..
Harcourt."
A quick change passed over his face.
and he unconsciously closed bis hand
tightly over the soft one that rested
|ligbly on bis arm as he replied:
-"My revenge has been bitter as death,
Lucille"
Lucille looked up 10 surprise. But II
WAS In order for them to offer their con.
gratulatie ms 10 the newly welded couple
and her husband had regained bis sccus.
toned manner.
Later in the evening, as Lucille was
resting alone in thesshadow of the heavy
curtain of the arched window that opened
into tue conservatory, the voice that had
Re deepest power to thrill her broke
upor her ear.
"Yes, AIis,on." he .ss sayihg to bis
friend, Aliston Hyde, and bis voice had
a ring of pain in 1t, Il intend going to
Europe; my arrangements are completed
and sail tomorrow. l can endure the
cold scorn in my wife's eyes no longer /;
I shall forget prudence and declare my
passion; to leave is my only safeguard /;
10 60 from the light OF her beautiful cold
face, which is daily maddening me. /
love her with a love beside which my
fancy for that insne piece of inoipidity,"
looking over as he spoke at May Ches-
ter's childish face, ''is as the heat OF the
SUMS rays to the mild light 0f the moon.
"Have you not spoken Of your love
Have yoa no hope that your wife may
love you 10 return ?"
"None. Would that / had. Her
proud, sweet nature rebelled at the man
ner Of her marriage"
Here the speakers passed bevond Lu.
GILES hearing. A great JOY filed her
whole being as sho arose and wended her
way to the dressing-rOOm.
That night,as Raymond Harcourt fas.
tened the cloak around his wife's form.
be was startled by her looks; happy,
joyous light had replaced the cold indif-
ference; her cheeks were flushed her
eyes sparkled, her whole face seemed
transformed.
.Is my wife SO very happy tonight ?"
he asked.
$50 happy that the wealth of the uni
verse could not purchase my joy"
At this moment their carriage was an.
nounced and prevented his replying.
Lucille had changed her evening dress
for soft, clinging robe OF cashmere
trimmed with swans down. Very swee,
and lovely she looked as she softly stole
to the library where her husband sal
writing his farewell. At sight Of him
her forced composure gave way, and she
passionately cried:
'sOh, Raymond, do not leave me. I
cannot live without you" and she hid
her face and sobbed aloud,
RAYMOND Harcourt ~hurriedly arose
and his strong frame shook with emo
ton. M
Lucille, can it be thst you love me :
Speak, darling, and end nv suspense! T.
and he crossed over to bis wife and
wound bis arm gently around her "TeII
me. nv wife, do you love me 2"
The delicate face sank lower and lower
till itrested on his breast. while the sweet
lips trem blIngly answered:
Z Yes, l love you. Ray"
my own darling p And Raymond
clasped his wife closely TO his heart
Forgive me. darling, for marrying you
With the motive that actuated me. Lu-
cille," and bis lips sought hers. 81 did
not think then that was getting the one
treasure that is dearer than lie to me-"
Raymond Harcourt did not sail for
Europe the next day, but three months
la,er he and his lovplv wife vere Out.
ward bound for the old world.
# = y y
Let us look once more ct Raymond
Harconrt's home. tits evening; Lucille
is seated in her boudoir With her lovely
Two year old hoy playing at her feet
She is the same Lucille of old, with per
chance fuller development Of beauty.
She sts there musine, her hands clasp
ed, her lipS wearing sweet smile. Ray
mond stops on the threshold to contem
i - a . 4