National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-21
AT THE BRINK.
A Terrible Tragedy nj the white bot-Its
Dire Results.


Up from the Potomac Flats, where the rank sea-
grass lay in tangled masses, and down by the
messy banked Babcock Lake, where tho sweet
smelling sedges grew In riotous abundance, and
the spatterdock pressed its face against the sur
face Of the dingy waters the soft breezes Of June
evening came stealing DER cot and 'palace-o'er
simple hamlet and moated castle. Standing idly,
almost listlessly by the postern gate that marked
the entrance to her fathers broad demesne,
Gwendoen Riordan looked down the broad ave-
nue. that skirted the ancestral acres Of her sire
with wistful, pleading expression In her County
Antrim features that told more plainly than words.
more eloquently than three-sheet poster, of the
hopes and fears that were harrassing her young
"win he Gomez" she said softly to herself,
bushing even as she spoke. SIS the fruiton Of
my hopes to be a glad one, or must again throw
The black pail Of disappointment over my cher
ished plans2 Heaven f0rfend that should for the
third time drain to its dregs the bitter cup that
cruel fate has twice held to my lips-lips that were
dry and parched for the kisses of one whom shall
ever love, and who win not see my mad passion for
him. Do not drive me too far. Meneaus McGuire,
or you will rue the day when Superintendent Hurt
gave You a Pennsylvania avenue car to drive;"
and with these words the girl kicked the family
goat of the sidewalk and turned to enter the house.
As she did so the rustic of u patrician polonaise
was heard and fair haired maiden Of nineteen
summers and awet spring came around the corner
with her starboard tacks aboard.
Qirofe Mahaffy was daughter OF purse proud
Rristocrat who owned milk route, and she was
not slow to make use of the social position to
which, as the heiress of over $500, a ume-servlng
world had raised her She had met Meneans Me-
Guiro ut q Jeto chdmpdre given In honor of Aphro-
dite JohnsOn's eighteenth birthday and fallen
desperately in love with him, although aware that
he had plighted his troth to Gwendolen. She had
sought by every art known TO u woman TO lure
him from his rlghtfu love. Was II strange, then,
that Gwendolen both feared and hated her and
that once. in a mad frenzy of rage she had said
that Circles back hair was no better than 1t
should boz
The girls did not speak, and as Girone passed
RiOrHan Ona tua IN n
hoop-skirt, q naughty smile fitted over her face.
" Goats milk is healthy" she said, in low, scorn
full tones.
Gwendolen heard the words and faced the
speaker. Yes, Grohe Mahafy," she said, speak
Ing slowly and calmly, although in turning she
that we are invited TO all the wakes and chrisen-
ings- When IL comes to going with the haul ton
we capture the confectionery, and don't you for
get H."
As the two girls stood there that June evening
their 1.-THE figures sharply outlined against the
Gwendolen with soft lustrous, fearful eyes, and
panied expression in her sweetly pure face;
CIRCLE smiling bitter. cruel smile. Suddenly
henelaus MCGUIRE be whom they both loved so
well came around the corner. Girofe started to-
ward him, smile on her face, but he needed her
took her hand in his, while wave of color rushed
over his face and an infinite look of tenderness
came into his bright eyes.
Can you forgive my neglect darling?" he
said; "oan you take me again 10 your hearth"
great passionate throb of intense Joy filled
Gwendoen's heart Looking up to Menelaus with
tear. stained eyes she said in broken tones
gigge." -IIom Grabbed at the Brink" by Mlrdt
UdLstedd.