Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-10-06

senses.
But there was no mistake, nor posi-
bility of mistake. Clifton N. Ostrande
IN. was for Norman, she knew $,
well and FeneIla Zina Medervile-
she had heard him speak of her severa
times, only casually, however, as a. re-
= markably handsome, charming girl.
0 And married! Married and happy
while She
Poor little Opal! How she prayed
. to God to forgive her, and not permi
I her to he NO jealous, 80 heart-sick, jeal
l GUS when She thought of the, kisses ant
: caresses his happy wife would receive
t Poor little Opal ! Life seemed very
3 dreary hing to her In those days that
3 followed, when she tried honestly and
conscientiously to endure.
: A soft, fsverish cheek laid against
Ora Slaley's cheek, tears standi ny in
: thu pleading eyes, sad lips quivering
, piteously, and two fair, white arms
: coaxingly twined about h.r mack.
Please-please say yes, Ora Please
let me go, | want to SO very much. I
must go"
Ora caressed the hot, tear.wet face
tenderly.
" don't know what ought to say,
little one. No good can come of it, no
possible good to you. And suppose
lust suppose, dear, that Mr.. trander
should recognize you, and discover
your foolish romantic motive Opal,
dear, | "eally don't know what to say
To you"
Say yes, Sister Ora Let me do it.
How could he know How could any
one in the whole world suspect that the
applicant for the position If lady's
maid for Mrs. Clifton Ostrander was
was the girl who wants to see him 80
badly, just once more ?"
There was such little catch of pain
in her hesilant words.
If you could only make up your
mind to give it up Or if could see
the least, the very least good that will
come of it,"
"Would you be content to let me go.
If you thought good might result ."
would be willing tor you TO do al.
most anything, Opal, that would make
you happier" she answered, eagerly.
'Then can 60. Because, Ora, whe /
see that his wife is beautiful a d good,
and worthy of his dear love when /
zoe that he is happy, will be, will
try, Ora, when come home again"
| All, when she came home again,
when she came home again II she had
only known
AS beautiful az dream with her
fair, happy young face and tender
brown eyes, aud Opal Staley did not
wonder, when she heard the sweet, bell
like voice that Fernella Mederville had
been her successful rival.
"Show her in, Retta," Opal heard
Mrs Ostrander say, az she stood out
side the library door in the elegant hall.
Everything was 50 s,imptuously elegant
in this home to which Clifton Ostrand.
er had brought his lovely bride. You
would never have known Opal, our
blonde heroine in the black front frizz,
banded smoothly over her forehead, and
the dyed brows and lashes, and com
plexion that completely changed her
expression, 40 that even Ora assured
her that the disguise was good.
Nevertheless, her heart was beating
very painfully when Mrs Ostrander's
maid opened the door wider, and usher
ed her into the immediate presenc. of
ClllLOu OSITbIlutT
" Be seated, please" she said, some
what languidly. 81 understand you
have come in answer to my advertise.
ment for a maid What are your quail
ficatious? Have you good references ?
What wages do you ask ?"
References Opal had not thought of
that, with all her arrangements.
81 have no city references, am from
the country think could suit you,
however, and-,nd the wages-you
could fix yourself, madam
Mrs. Ostrander looked attentively at |
her.
81 never have ventured to take girl |
without absolutely tirst-class references;
but somehow you seem an intelligent,
lady-likc girl. really think | have
taken one Of my inpulsive fanciss to
you," she said, with beaming, little
smile I" will let my husband decide
FIR me, however. Retta," to the wait.
Ing maid, "just step to the telephone,
and ask Mr.. Ostrander If he will
be good enough to come to me a mo-
ment."
Opal suddenly felt wild panic rush
ing over her, and everything seemed to
turn suddenly dark and whirling To
see him, to come face to face with him,
to hear him speak, and thus
A bitter Pang of anguish shot holly
through her as she heard step, his
step, nearing them. She remembered
the last time she had seen him, the
gentle kiss lie had pressed upon her
ripe red lips.
And to meet so
How sensible Ora had been in urging
her to abandon this wild, foolish plan Of
hers 0pai realized now in that one
moment of waiting, that no good could
come OF 1t under any circumstances, be-
cause--oh, shame, oh, pity oh, de-
spair she knew she loved him, another
woman's husband, ~ well as, yes, more
than in those days VIII II to love was at
least not sin.
The footsteps We're ~ he door now,
and Opal turned her head away, send
ing up one fierce, wild prayer of vague
helplessuess.
Clifton, dear, here Is a young girl
to whom have taken a great fancy.
She has applied for the vacancy Gussie
has made, only she has no references.
Do tell me if it will be prudent to en-.
sd ~ ltI uctI !
Opal seemed to live thousand years
in that awful-awfn moment that she
waited, with averted face, hustled helrt,
held breath for the answering sound of
his beloved voice.
And then
" Certainly, my darling. would
trust always toa woman's intuition in
such cases. By all means, If on think
best"
And it was as if "A soul doomed to
perditioh had heard Il remission of SEN
tence, and saw the gates Of Paradise
opened tor its entrance.
Opal turned her death. white face, .
and saw what the calm, pleasant voice
had told her that 1t was not, it was not;
oh, God was good 1t was not her Cliff II
ton Ostrander. a