Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-08-31

might have worshiped as he paintes
her in flowing robes of white ant
crimson and gold. A woman who wa
a living, breathing dream Of perfec
tion.
At sight of her Harry grew whit
to the very lips, then quickly recover
ing himself, greeted her with manly
dignity. presenting at the same tim,
his companion.
81 must be bond Of sympathy be
tween you two" he said, with a sudder
dash of bravado; "for this" with /
courtly bow toward the fair wonderful
woman. 4 is one Of my earliest friends
and this, taking Molly's hand, " is my
betrothed."
1t would have been perfect, only hi
rather overdid the thing; however, tht
beauty bit her lip with vexation; she
was not used to having her victims
flaunt their freedom in her face.
The days passed on, the beautiful.
woman, who, beside her natura
charms, had the added grace of widow.
hood, trailed her solemn splendor al
over the great country house, making
other women look faded and common.
place by comparison.
Mrs. Latimer and her unpleasant
baby were well-nigh extinguished, and
even pretty Molly looked like some
wan field flower beside this gorgeous
Eastern lily.
Harry, to do him justice, shut his
eyes remarkably well; he was blind
he was deaf on every possible occasion
But one evening, when Molly was. in,
disposed, the widow captured him.
1t was in the great garden; the
moonlight quivered over the roses
heavy with dew, perfume and night
and the wonderful witchery of beauty
held him, while the perfect lips told
him a secret, little story, a something
that changed the very current Of his
being. The mad love of his youth,
fought against, dead, buried, as he be-
lieyed, sprang in that hour to sudden
life. The woman that he had loved
and hated. who had wronged, deceived
him, stood now vindicated and spotless,
d victim ike himself Of another's
wrong, like himself sufferer.
The man cried out against fate; this
woman who had been all the world to
him in the old days of his honest youth
was more than that now; in the hour
of his weakness he would have sacri-
feed honor, truth, life itself; but she
was strong; another life should not be
blighted as hers had been; another
should never suffer as she had done ;
now that she stood before him blame
less, she was satisfied.
Then he found himself alone, and the
devil, in the guisc of a fair woman, en-
tered into his soul and abode there.
Perhaps the sight Of Mony's loving
face might have been safeguard in
those days; but she was III. and refused
to see him; 50 day by day the evil grew
and thrived, nourished by soft sighs
and false tears.
One night he found the widow alone
In little room that opened out Of a
tiny conservatory; he threw prudence
to the winds, and the woman was
forced to hear burning words of mad
ness and devotion.
In the very midst Of the resistless
torrent of his woe the door opened
and a man entered. He was tan, dark
and grandly bearded, Saxon giant Of
herculean mold. He took in the
whole scene at a glance.
"Oh, Lura Lurar' he cried. aWin
you never have done with your folly N
Then she turned. Such a light
famed over her facel Such sudden
beauty flashed upon It'll A smile like
that might pave the way to death for
any man. l.
"oh, Roy, Royf she cried, and
rushed to the stranger, flinging her
arms with glad kisses about his neck.
" My husband said she, turning to
Harry. And never think again to
fight woman with her own weapons.
/ was only redressing old wrongs and
opening blinded eyes. Your lady-love
is in the next room. / made sure of
that before | played this little farce"
The stranger shock of the clinging
arms of his wife and stepped to the
side Of the dazed, unhappy man.
II cannot ask you to forgive my
wife," said he. know TINT she has
done you some grievous wrong. 1t is
not the first time most likely it win
not be the last. And yet I love her.
Young man, you do not suffer alone.''
Then he was gone, he and his false
wife.