Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-03
BENT ON THEIR RUIN.

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Series wife after his return from a
FIVE years. sojourn on the Continent,
he knew that when he had left pref
ty eighteen ear,old Cora Thorpe.
after careless Irritation, be bad
made a grand mistake.
She had loved him with the first
fresh love of her pure young heart,
while he had felt merely a passing
thrill of verified vanity at his power
over her.
1t was the old story of broken
idol. Until he went away with a
light adieu, she had believed him
tender and noble, and herself the
happiest of women.
Then came sense of bewilder-
ment, of loss, then anguish and
shame that she should have loved
one so unworthy.
But two years later came John
Sefle, very king among men; ten
years her senior, strong, manly,
talented. and as true as steel.
There followed happy courtship
and quiet wedding, and now Cora
Serle, infinitely more winning and
lovely at twenty-three than she had
been at eighteen, was mistress of an
elegant home.
George Kenneth met her at Mrs.
Lolord's reception, and he caught
his breath at the sight of her. She
had been pretty fair-haired girl,
but tonight, in pale blue silk, white
lace, and pearls, she was a vision of
loneliness.
Her dainty head was crested with
conscious dignity: the fine silken
golden-brown braid coiled simply
and fastened with pearl comb; the
delicate brows arched serenity over
eyes of the deepest pansy blue; and
the red lips closed with gracious
sweetness which told-plainer than
words could have told-of the deep
JOY and content in her heart. The
pale pure face, with its wonderful
eyes and sweet mouth, shone like a
star through the shifting mass Of
simpering deceitful visages that
drifted about her, and the sight of it
sent pain to George Kenneth's
heart.
"And she might have been mine,n
he thought, as he made his way to-
ward her
The faintest widening Of the shin,
ing eyes was all the sign of aston
ishment that she gave when he bowed
before her and claimed acquaint-
ance.
Kenneth was vain man, though
he had the art TO conceal it, and q
rush Of angry modification surged
through his breast when she received
him with perfect graceful calm, just
so much and no more as she accord
ed to each Of the black coated,
white vested, and whitecravated
masculines who fingered about her.
But directly John Serle himself
came in search of his wife; then
Kenneth, watching jealously, saw
the sudden deep smile leap into her
eyes and tremble upon her lips,
while delicate flush wavered in The
fair cheek.
All the evil in him famed up.
If he had lost the love of this peer
less woman, at least she should not
revel in her happiness with another.
Among his acquaintances was an
INSCRIPTIONS widow who had vainly
endeavored to win the Hon. John
Ser,e herself
She hated Cora accordingly.
Kenneth was not long in gaining
her confidence, and together they
laid heartless plan to estrange one
of the happiest couples that the gay
world OF Gotham had ever looked
upon.
One evening at party Kenneth
was called upon to sing.
His heart was lark with his evil,
but Nature had gifted him with a
most divine voice, and as he sng, the
guests drifted closer to the piano.
John Serle caught a strange look
Of passionate reproach which Ken
meth flashed at Cora as he seated
himself at the piano, and he listen
ed to the song with growing nneasi.