The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-04-28

you diu Hot ioNc inc, Dut tudb you SuOulu
have lured me step by step along the
treacherous path whose end is the abyss
of despair--that, having gained it, you
hurl me over with q laugh of triumph
at your sorceress arts--that your eyes
and your lips alike should have lied to
me when fancied both the home of
truth-forgive you thisp Never! Nor Is
this all. AS you have dealt with me, so,
pray Heaven, may man one day deal
with you. So believe he will. 1t is
the law of recompense. As / have loved
you, so you one day will love. Looking
In his face then, at the moment you
fancy it your heaven, he will laugh your
woman's trust, your woman's conf
dence, your woman's love, to scorn. In
that moment, though never before or
after, You will think of and remember
me-"
With these words, with deferential
courtesy he offered her his arm escort
ed her back to the ball room, returned
her to her chaperone, bowed low and
left her. rrr ~
The next morning, 1t was announced
that Hubert Daryl had left London. Isa-
bel was forced to bear the brunt of the
abrupt departures; but though the many
questions pressed upon her showed that
all held suspicion of the truth, her
fancied triumph was savorless and vap-
Id, and heavy depression had settled
upon her spirit she could neither shake
off nor comprehend.
Within month, however, her formal
engagement was announced to Lord
Undermount, man full thirty years her
senior, rich and equity. The wedding,
the following Winter, was noted for its
splendor, the bride for her beauty; but
none knew the almost aching heart she
carried beneath the exquisite satin robe
the heart which was beginning to
know its own needs, and realize its own
mistakes.
Four years later she stood beside her
husbands coffin. He had been very
fond, very proud, of his young wife; and
if sometimes he had suspected that he
had gratified her ambition, not her love,
he gave of his disappointment no sign.
But his enemy, the govt, had struck
home to his brave, kindly heart, and
solved for him the question of life.
His funeral was as splendid as had
been his wedding; and then Isabel re-
turned alone to the lonely splendor of
the home of which she now held undis-
puted right and title.
Did she grievep The lovely face was
very pale; the delicate figure was grace
full in its deep mourning robes; the Sc
clusion she assumed of the strictest or
der. What need was there for the world
to know morep
Thus three years passed. Then she
emerged from her chrysalis. She still
wore delicate lavenders and pearls, but
she had laid aside her Grape, and the
beautiful hair was no longer concealed
by her Widows cap. Society had glad
ly welcomed her return to its midst, but
the old zest for it had gone.
She half determined, one December
night, to forego an invitation to dinner
she had accepted, pleading sudden in
disposition as an excuse; but the re-
of her hostess's disappoint-
ment induced her to tear up the unfinish-
ed note to this effect, and resign herself
instead to the hands of her maid, to
make fitting toilet for the occasion; nor
had she cause to be displeased with the
result. BH
She wore, tonight marvellous con-
lection of blended satin and lace. the
latter sparkling with tiny Jets, which
scintillated as she walked. Through the
thin black fabric shone the peerless neck
and arms. A great bunch of natural
jacqueminot roses were fastened at her
waist. They matched the crimson of
her lips. Her cheeks were quite color
less, but they needed no color.
The guests had nearly assembled when
she entered the Duchess of Gaveston's
"You are looking exquisitely lovely,
my dear" whispered the latter in her
ear, as she came forward to receive her.
ave have truant here tonight, one
who has deserted his country for six
long years. have chosen him to take
you down to dinner"
Isabel replied indifferently. She was
accustomed to this sort of thing-to have
the lion of the day selected for her-and
she had grown weary of it. She now
looked languidly about the room, even
while she acknowledged and responded
TO the greeting of the three or four men
who gathered about her.
Several feet from her, leaning in care
less grace upon the mantel, with his eyes
fixed upon her face, was figure strange
yet familiar.
For moment she did not recognize
him. Six years of foreign travel had
left their impress. He was tall, bronzed
and bearded-a man to be noticed and
let his surroundings be
what they would. A flush of pleasure
lighted her eyes. The next moment he
came forward to greet her.
81 knew that you were to be here"
he said, bowling low over her hand. 81
am to have you coniided to my care dur
ing dinner. Will you trust yourself with
meP'
Her heart beat madly; but he stood
calm and impassive as stone. It forced
her to stifle the rush of feeling which
nearly overwhelmed her. All these
years she had known emptiness. IT.
this instant she knew why it had been
so-knew her own heart at last.
81 am delighted to meet you again,
Lady Undermount," he continued.