The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-17

just, and wakened in tine for long
early walk with his betrothed, from
which they returned, radiant and glow.
ing us the dawn, yet truth to tell. some
what damp and draggled
In the doorway they met woman,
n now arrival, gloriously beautiful
woman, not al everyday pretty woman,
but living, breathing dream of per-
fection.
At sight Of her Harry stopped, and
grew white to the very lips, then quickly
recovering himself, greeted her Will,
manly dignity, presenting at the same
time his companion.
II must be n fond of sympathy be-
tween you two," said he, with sudden
dash of bravado, "for this" with a
courtly bow towards the fair wonderful
woman. "is one of my earliest friends,
and this is my betrothcd."
1t would have been perfect, only lie
rather overdid the thing.
However, the beauty flushed with
vexation.
She was not used to having hor vic
tins tiaunt their freedom in her face,
and to mako it worse, Marie, who was
only woman. although an exceedingly
NICE one, could not help laughing a
little as she sped away, and her laugh
had in it more OF malice than she was in
any wise aware of.
Tho days passed on.
Ihe beautiful woman. who, besides
her natural charms. had the added grace
| OF wldowhOod, trailed her sombre splen-
dor all over tue great country house.
making ether women look faded and
common place ny comparison.
Mrs. Latrobe and her unpleasant baby
were well-nigh annihi!ated.
Even pretty Marie Devol seemed like
a wan field flower beside this gorgeous
Eastern lily.
Harry, to do him Justice, shut lis
eyes persistently.
He was blind md deaf; but one night,
when Marie was irdisposed, the widow
captured him.
1t was in the great garden.
Tho moonlight was enhancing, aud
the red-hcartcd roses hung heavy with
dew.
Perfume, and night, and the wonder
ful woman held him spellbound, while
the perfect lips told him secret;
little story-a something that changed
the current Of his being.
The mad love of his youth-foaght
against dead, buried. 'vns III that hour
revived into sudden and vigorous life.
The woman lie had loved and hated
stood before him-tearful spotless, q
victim of uncomfortable circumstances.
A sufferer like himself-like himself,
wronged, deceived, betrayed. 's>"
E'nr his sake she had horne nncom-
plainly the burden of unloving wife
hood.
Reconciliation had been the dream of
her widowhood, and he had met her
with scorn almost insult.
The man cried out against fate in
that hour.
This woman, who had been all the
world to him in the old days of his
honest youth, was more than that now.
In the flood of that terrible reaction
he would have sacrificed honor, truth,
life itself, for her, but she would have
naught of him.
She had suffered, and in her heart and
life suffering had wrought It's perfect
work OF patience and contentment.
Now that she stood clean in his eyes
her desire was accomplished.
No other woman's heart should bleed
as hers had donc-no other woman's
life through her be blighted.
Beautiful dissemblerl
Perhaps Is O sight of Marie might
haye been a safeguard to him in those
days, but she was quite i'll, confined to
her room, and with tho perversity of
fate, steadily refused to see him, and
meanwhile the evil love grew and flour.
ished.
One evening he md tho widow wore
alone in the room that opened out of a
tiny conservatory.
lie I'll rev honor to the winds, and the
woman, whether she would OF no, was
forced to hear burning words of passion
and mad love, and in the midst of the
rcsistless torrent of his woe the door
opened and man entered.
He was tall, massive, and grandly
bearded-a Saxon giant, of herculean
mould.
He took in tho sccno in moment, and
laughed.
ooh Lura, Lurn!
"Will you never have done with your
folly2"
x great light famed into her face.
A sudaen beauty flashed over it.
A smile like that might pave the way
to death for any man, and he walk glad
ly in it.
"Oh, Roy, Royw she cried, and rush
ing to the stranger, flung her perfect
arms about his neck.
'"Thls Is my husband" she cried,
"my dear husbandr
She loved this man.
You could not look in her radiant face
and doubt 1t.
"Mr. Raymond" said she. "I was
only rcdressing old wrongs, ana opening
blinded eyes.
"Never think again to fight woman
with her own weapons.
MY husband and I will leave YOU
now, to make your poace with your
betrothed.
''Sle is in the conservatory.
81 made sure Of TINT before played
this little farce"
Tho stranger struck off the clinging
arms OF his wife, and stepped to the
side OF the daaad unhappy man.
II will not offer you my hand" said
he, "because 1 know that you had much
rather throttle me than grasp it.
81 cannot ask you to forgive my wife,
for know that she must hnvo done you
a great wrong.
''It is not tho first time, it will most