The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-15

to me-"
How he laughed and cbuckled over
those words in days to- come.
For the present he hesiIated
He knew great deal, but he did no,
know enough yet to enable him TO speak
out as be would have liked TO do.
The secret he had learned that night
by none of his own seeking, he it said
to his credit-might be enough to stay
the marriage for a time, to ruin Frank
with Sir John Craddock, to infuriate the
Colonel, but is woold not alter Nelly's
love.
Frank might lose all position, pros.
poets, everything, but be would not lose
that.
He had talent, energy. enthusiasm ;.he
would carve out new path for himself
in life, and she would wait for him. -
And more than that, ii he spoke too
precipitately he might even be the means
OF averting instead of insuring the ruin
which should fall upon Franks head.
What he desired was to undermine the
great happiness which was now filing
The breast of Nelly Loveton; to create
doubt in her trustful heart; to prepare
for her the more terrible blow that should
come if bis evil brain could plot to bring
il about.
"Even in the face of your words, Miss
Lovelon," he said, 81 still hope. l.have
heard tonight something which gives
me every confidence that the great love
which is the one desire Of my lie will
be crowned with success at last. Think,
Nelly" he cried, seizing her hand which
she withdrew instantly, think what my
love must be-the love Of man of my
age, who has never in al his life expe-
rienced the feeling before. The love ol
a young and enthusiastic man like Frank
Eversleigh may pass awav; mine never.
Ny mind is matured, and know my love
cannot change. / love you with devo-
ton, a passion which is terrible in it's
earEestness. See! you have dropped q
flower. / seize it as il it were neces.
ssry of nv existence. Till my dying
day that will remain with me, whether
YOU spurn me from you or not. Mine
is blind devotion-a worship-seeing
no fault. acknowledging no wrong, hop
ing against hope until death. D Nelly
pity me! Let me not plead in vain.
Even at this hour let me save you from
ruin and disgrace
Nelly was quite unmoved by his words,
though the moonlight showed his face,
white and ghastly. and strained with his
intense emotion, the perspiration stand
ing in great heads upon his brow,' his
{ rn trembling, his hands clenched ner-
vously together.
81 shall listen 10 no more," she said.
1t is treason to Frank for me to do so.
Every word you utter is an insult to me,
his betrothed wife. / am disguised by
your conduct. Mr.. Alder, and you will
cease now to be even an acquaintance
where once you might have been friend.
She turned to GO, but he stopped her,
and so awful was now the expression OF
his face that she paused almost in fear.
"Miss Lnveton," he said, in hoarse
voice, ''this NAV he nv last appeal; but
have one triumph. You can never be
the wife of Frank Eversleigh-never--
never! have neard that to night which
makes nv mind easy on that score
Dream on; indulge in your lovesick fan
ces They will PISS away and dissolve,
as yonder cloud which hovers over the
sea-"
Then, recovering himself, he said:
II shall not enter the honse Tonight
| will send an excuse to the colonel
G ,od-night. l leave for L ,ndon to
mnrrow. The next you hear from me
will be in the hour of my triumph"
She would have detained him now,
have entreated him to explain, have
urge him, with all her eloqrence. to
tell her what terrible secret it was that
he had learned-what shadow Of evil
stood between her and her heart love
But ere she had recovered from her
emotion, ere she hal found voice to
speak, he had hurried out by the gate
which led into the high-road, and disap-
peared in the darkness.
When he was gone the proud spirit
which had up to this point given her
strength gave way, and, sinking down
upon a rustic seat, she burst into pas
sion Of tears.
Long she wept there alone; wept over
the nndefi led evil which the coward had
conjured up before her mind wept over
the fact that Frank was not there to
laugh his words 20 scorn; wept that a
cloud shouIi have fallen at all where
everything had been so bright and fair
One thing she resolved not to do
She would not tell her father.
She looked upon Caleb's words as in
volving some mystery, truly, but as be
ing principally the outcome of q vepge-
fuI, disappointed spirit, and-foolishly
enough, perhaps-she determined that
1t was best not to raise in her fathers
mind doubts which might prove an OBJ
stacle to her union with Frank
Once his Hite, she argued, she would
have strength and support to battle
against any evil.
She knew well her fathers impe-ious
tempef-s temper which was more likely
to enlarge and even create evils than
soften them down; and so. fearing lest
she should he made the victim of dis.
appointment that might crush out her
young life. she ahstained from telling
the colonel what might have prevented
her from suffering endless pain and sor-
row.
The colonel asked no questions, when
she hade him "goodnight"; a message
had heen brought him that Mr. Csleh
Alder was not very well, and begged to
he excused; and yet, when all the house
hold had retired to rest, man, wicked
in his mad love, paced for hours to and
fro along The lane, watching in an agony
of pain and jealousy the window oi
Nelly Loveton, as if his heart could find
rest and satisfaction from knowing thai
she was there near him.
TO BE CONTINUED
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