The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-04-11
: 5Sflfrf TStorp.
Victor and Vanquished.

i. was nearly the end of the London
season. In another week wearied leg
islative assembly would close its labors
for the session, and trains burrying
north, south and west would convey The
jaded votaries of pleasure to seek change
on the moors, in yachting excursions, or
well preserved plantations. Indeed,
many were already gone from town, but
there we're still enough left to more than
comfortably gil Lady Seaburton's spa
cious drawlngerooms in Eaton Square,
and furnish more couples than could
conveniently find room In the depart
ment devoted by her ladyship to the last
ball of the season. rs;s .sE
Two of the guests who had been dan
cling together to the melodious strains
Of dreamy waltz, drew themselves free
from the crowd and songht the awning.
covered balcony, deserted for the mo-
ment; and then looking out over the
moonlit square. Hubert Daryll ventured
the question which for months past ha6
hovered on his lips, whenever he found
himself alone with Isabel Claremonl, land
received the answer which dashed bis
hopes forever. 7s-s - % =
"Yon do not love me ?" he sa with
passionate disbelief. = S-ss.2-a-s
"No." $3.50 's..an -'@
This with the accompaniment OF a lit.
tie, low, trilling laugh, in answer to tht
earnest question ~ = -,
you have never loved me s''l
!, Again a ''Nor' and again laugh, bu
the latter this time, was little, forced
and in the deeply, darkly- beautiful viole
eyes was o. shade almost OF fear as tn,
girl lifted them to his fsce-lifted then
only to fall again, dreading to read th'
story told there. &rHas -
For q moment there was silence. rTh,
two were alone on the wide balcony
the night was cool and few were tempted
to forego the charms 'of Strauss ant
Terpsichore within for the moonbeam
and night.air without.
The strains Of the music we're born
to them where they stood. A few min
u'es before, and to the measure they ha'
whirled through the mazes of the dance
he envying. no king his kingdom, in th
newborn home her beauty and her love
illness wakened within him; she gloryiDl
in the glory of new conquest at th
very close of her summer campaign.
+ Certainly her charms we're suftlcientt'
make new victims no new boast. Now
with the softness born Of fear within he
eyes, black lace scarf thrown csrelessl
about the small, we'll poised head, an
fastened gracefully by gold nail, th
sweeping folds OF her white silk dres
clinging closely to the slight. suppl
form, it was no difficult matter to under
stand the yearning pathos which under
lined the mans questioning.
ii. How the music Knocked him, too
Five minutes before, and it had whisper
ed hope, and courage, and love; now
meant a knell, dirge, a requiem.
| He was not yet thirty, and already hi
lfuture was made barren. waste by tb
wrecked harvest Of his fairest hope
He staggered moment as the last mo
fell from tbea exquisitely curved lips {
deepest acknowledgement as though tf
tiny, ,ungloved hand had dealt him 9
actual physical blow --then he stood sti
and silent; and then he spoke. 1ntens
concentrated wrath mingled with anguis
| as looking full into the wonderful ey!
which had lured him, be forced them
return his gaze. s'&.5 's;sals.s "a tea
$50 you have never loved me s''sl
said. 'l'aAre you woman or fiend
Was l but a toy for your amusement
summer plaything2 Did you in. 20
heartlesaness conceive me heartless- iii
yourseIfi Have you any conceptil
of the fire. your hand has kindied-a e
which might have turned all coldnsss f
ever from your path, but which you nc
bid consume upon itself in self:tortu
! Or greater thah any living fame mig