The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-02-25

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in comfort. But from that night com
menced to grow young.
Il called again and again at Talford's
house until l began to think-fool, blind
fool that was!-that Mary loved me but
little less than loved her. She received
every advance kindly. she spoke to me
always with regard. I never thought
until afterward that she could not do
otherwise I'd the man who had preserved
her fathers good name. Neither did
think that Henry went quite as often as
l to see Miss Talford,' as he always
called her in my presence.
when 1 asked Talford for his daugh-
ter's hand, his delight would scarcely
sllow him to give me an intelligent
answer; and when fortified with that
answer went to May for hers, and re-
ceiyed as remembered when it was too
late, a cool bat ready assent, I thought
I was the happiest man alive.
1.-The next day I went to st. Louis, and
while ostensibly on business, spent the
whole day at the jewelers.. Then it was
| bought that ring, and had engraved
upon the inside as you see here, my in
itials and hers. With this accomplished
/ returned home Immediately. When I
reached there it was late at night, and
the rain poured down in torrents /; but
little minded that I had to pass by
Talford's, and my heart heat high with
exultation as / neared the home of my
future bride. I took the ring from my
pocket and stopped under the street
lamp, to see if it was safely in its case.
l was childish in my love men at that
age often are.
"While standing under the lamp just
across the street from Talford's the front
door of his house was thrown open. [
raised my eyes, and there was May her
self; the gaslight from the hall shot a
broad band of light into the street and
framed her form in gold. Oh, how she
held possession of my heart at that mo-
ment She was showing caller down
the steps, and triumphantly stood and
watched him linger, as if 10th to leave.
/ felt a kind of condescending pity for
the poor fellow, supposing that he was
some old lover.
What not gone yet ? Still standing
there p / thought. Then I felt my heart
leap wildly and stand still-the blood
freezing in my veins. / saw May Tai
ford in another mans arms saw him
rain kiss after kiss upon her upturned
face, and then I could see that she had
tainted.
HE bore her gently into the house,
and then came out. As the door opened
| saw his face it was white as marble,
and it was the face of Henry Straffold
ssHe passed on down the street, and I
stood there in the pouring rain, stunned
and almost bereft of my senses. / reeled
against the wall and passing policeman
took me by the shoulder, supposing me
to be intoxicated; but turned on him
and laughed In his face with such jar
ring, fearful laugh that he retreated
over the curbstone, and went on his way
muttering of mad houses and dangerous
lunatics. Presently the stunned sensa-
sion left me, and then my blood leaped
fercely to my heart, my passion turned
to wild desire for revenge, and started
almost at run down the street in the
direction that Henry had taken. Henry
Strafford! My path crossed by him
Every feeling of love that / had enter
tanned for him only made me hate him
more.
Il tore into the place I had called
home and went directly to his room. I
found him sitting at his table, with his
head buried between his hands. He arose
to meet me, but seeing the look upon my
face, stopped short. 1 raved at him;
raised my hand to strike him; but his
white, calm face daunted me; he spoke
no word. / raved on. Then little by
little he learned the truth, and when ex-
hausted, stopped for breath, he ad-
vanced one step toward me, and, almost
yvifbnuf hiS r,ooyrkb
Your eyes did not deceive you; it
was I.
"Glaring at him, I stood before the APP
pealing face, crushing compassion down
in my anger, and pointing with my
finger to the door, cried
"'Gor
He stood with his hand upon the man
tel, and when I said that word saw the
fingers grasp it spasmodically; he quiv.
cred from head to foot. Slowly be
moved back step by step, and followed
him; the mute appeal in his eyes was
useless; on, on, until he reached the
door; then, turning mechanically to undo
the fastening, he went out into the night
without another look, out in the pitiless
rain, and was cold as stone.
~ watched him walk off slowly into
the darkness. / strained my eyes to
catch the last glimpse, and when the
gloom enveloped him, tainted.
''How long | lay there / do not know.
When I came to my senses the rain had
ceased, and the stars were shining
calmly. A distant church clock began
to strike the hour, and counted the
strokes-one, two, three.
''All night long sat in my chamber
did not move, did not think. felt
as if hot iron had scared my heart and
brain. The gray morning broke and
found me sitting there. The sun rose
and danced upon my nerveless fingers
but moved them not. To have looked
at me, one would have thought that
was dead.
SAT last staggered to my feet, and
passing out into the now busy street,
walked mechanically, without the exer.
else of any reasoning faculty, toward the
residence of Talford, I asked for May
and was shown into the parlor. was SC
unobservant of sound or sight that I did
not know she was iii the room until
touching me on the arm, she asked me in
a strange, cold voice what the matter
was. started at the sight of her face; il
was haggard as that of ghost.
May I managed to say, las,
night
''But she stopped me.
Last night, Mr.. Hardin. You
need not tell; I know it all.
g Your"
Eyes, she answered, 4! I, May Tai
ford, know it all. And listen to me
John Hardin
Her eyes Cleaned wildly, and I. who
had come to speak, remained to hear
Listen to me, John Hardinr she re-
peated. I love Henry Strafford-he
loves me- Even at that did not move
She continued:
:. Last night he came to tell me fare
| well forever
9. sForeyerr