Morris tribune., 1883-01-18

mn, YOU l1l1t wv oo3 I1Ao L II QildSdNO
to the utmost to be a true and affection
ate wife,"
So Marguerite Compton found herself
Mrs. Col. Tracy, q petted leader of fash
ion, the possessor of a naughty name,
and the idol of fond husbands heart.
Yet now, when it was too late, she
knew that could she but share Philip
Santwood's young, clouded life, and
wear hat stained name of his, she would
be a far happier woman.
1t was in the second year of her mar
rage that she and her husband made
the tour of Europe. They had visited
many of the principal cities; Mrs. Tracy
had been presented at court, and was
as much admired as her proud and de-
voted husband could possibly desire /;
and now they were sailing down the
Danube.
They had passed many picturesque
villages and ancient ruins on the shores
of that grand and stored river, and were
nearing Linz, celebrated for the lovli.
ness of its situation and the beauty of its
women, when Marguerite sat on the
deck of the steamer, apart from all 9TH
ers, thinking sadly of that evening in
her life when she had decided her fate
against her own happiness. How vivid
ly the words of the song came back to
her, as she leaned over the railing and
looked down at the greenish-blue waters
below:
III ne'er forget that night in June
Upon the Danube river"
How strange that this should be a
moonlit night in June, and that she her.
self should be "upon the Danube river!"
While her whole mind and heart were
back upon that ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
evening, a dark shadow came between
her and the moonlight. She glanced up
involuntarily, and her heart almost
ceased its throbbing. There before her
stood the hero of her thoughts-Phillp
Santwood-looking down upon her. One
thin she had time to notice as he came
toward her-his proud, fair face looking
almost stern in the moonlight-the old
fashioned love was in his eyes,
One Instant her heart thrilled wildly
as she saw it; then as he came nearer.
there was terrible noise, and awful
shock; then flames were issuing from the
steamer, and men, women and children
were struggling for their live IN the wa
tiers of the Danube.
When Mrs. Tracy opened her eyes af-
ter the first stunningjar Ofthe explosion,
she found herself clasped in the arms of
Philip Santwo0d, who was making hero
ic efforts to ave her.
ooh, Philip" she cried, with her first
breath, where is my husband, and your
wife. too? We must not forget theml"
"My wife," She saw the establishment
in his eyes even in that dreadful mo-
ment. Il never had a wife, Marguerite.
Did he tell you SOL"
yes" hi answered.
And then, asthe treaChcry OF her hus-
bands scheme to win her love from
Philip flashed like lightning into her
mind, she regretted with all the loyalty
Of true, if not a loving wife, that she
had betrayed it 10 his rival.
Save hlm-Oh save him first, Phillip
she pleaded, anxiously.
you are a woman, Marcuerite-the
woman love-" he replied, a half-sayage
joy thrilling in his tones. "Itis my duty
and my pleasure to aid you. He is a
man, and my enemy. I am under no
obligation to him. Let him take care of
HIMSELF"
For one instant Marguerite lay with
closed eyes in Philips arms, thinking
almost that she was in heaven. He had
never married another; he loved her
madly yet, and she-ah, heaven! how
she had loved him! This vas a night of
danger. If anything should happenthat
would set her free
She checked herself then. What a
wicked-what a horrible thought! Just
then,her husband foated past them cling
ing with a white, despairing face to por-
ton of the wreck. He seemed exhaust
ed and about to sink.
90, save him." she cried again, in az
onv at her W wickedness.
Philips face appalled, her. Upon it
was pictured the fearful struggle going
on in his soul-loYe. jealousy, hatred,
indecision.
Il cannot save you both" he said,
hoarsely.
Then him first" said Marguerite,
with desperate passion in her voice.
go, Philip, if I am lost it will not be
through any sin of yours, but if you will
leave him purposely to die unaided, it
will be-murder." .
Philips face seemed to grow even
whittier as she breathed that last word
with terrible distinctness.
II see," he said, quietly. II will do
what | can"
Perhaps he might now atone for his
brothers crime, was the new thought
which stirred his soul to its depths.
Marguerite clinging to the tiny raft
where Philip had left her ct was scarce
~ large enough to hold two persons) saw
her husband snatche: almost from the
jaws of death by the man whom they
had both so mercilessly wronged, with a
feeling of intense thankfulness to heav-
en- too deep for words. She felt a hor-
ror now at the mere thought of how she
an! Philip might have profted by her
husbands death.
It was fortunate that the accident oc-
Cured so near the town, for just there
the river ran swiftly, and few could have
been saved without the aid thatspeedily
came from Linz.
~ have saved him for your sake,
Marguerite" whispered Philip as they
met each otherat the side finer rescued,
but almost lifeless husband.
God bless you !" she answered, pres
sing his hand as she knelt beside the
PROSTATE form of the colonel.
But Col. Tracy's days we're numbered.
All was done for him that medical skill
could do in that quaint old German city.
But he was no longer young, and his
nervous system had received a shock from
and there. on the shores Of the ''beauti-
u CAoC A4o LIZ ndO Jul lCOs
Two years passed quietly away. Mrs.
Tracy had spent them in travel. and had
but lately returned to her native land.
She and Philip Santwood had parted at
Linz with out a word or a pledge for the
future, and they had never met since.
Yet she was notsurprised when he sud-
denly appeared in her drawing-room
one evening and spoke once more of
his loyal love for her.
81 have never loved any other,
Marguerite" he said. "IfI may dare
to again offer you the name that"
"Hush!" she answered, lifting her
white jeweled hand, with a smile that
softened all the dark beauty of her face.
your noble conduct at Linz has re-
deemed your name from all dishonor in
my eyes, and even we're it other wise,
how dare l, in my sinful pride condemn
you for another's SIM"
Ttn~ro ,o4~A