The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-06-10

there was a knot of the same fragrant
blossoms upon her corsage and half.
opened bud in her dsrk braids. Simple
and perfect, she was far and sweet as
,he flowers she wore.
He caught his breath with an anguish
ed moan; then, as his eyes fell upon the
tall, graceful form OF Paul Mortimer
still at her side, he started to his feet.
Henceiorth this man was his enemy.
One OF them must die! The temptation
TAILED itself, like an unclean reptile, into
his heart. His temples throbbed wildly,
his cold hands clenched convulsively; he
darted through an open French window,
leading out into the beautiful grounds
which surrounded the Dallas mansions.
Up and down, in retired corner oi
the garden be paced wildly for the time
his brain was deranged and reason un-
seated. ---t..s.-s4
After q while the fresh air began to
cool bis fevered brain aud gradually be
grew calmer. With calmness came re.
fection and he began to stare the situa.
ton in the face.
\ Since Marguerite had learned to care
for this man-this friend who had stolen
into bis peaceful home like thief in The
night and robbed him Of all that made
life worth liviSg for, let her marry Pau
Mortimer and be happy, il she could
but that could never be while be, Charles
lived.
There Was but one alternative then
he himself must die s,..yz
1t was q wild. ehastly thought which
crept. like q dark shadow over his heart
With q sudden accession Of GOODNESS hs
turned and re.entered the house to play
his parts little longer.
Marguerite came to him at once, and
alarmed at his white face insisted tha
they should 60 home.
He placed d-her in ihe carriage, followed
her inside, and even forced himself to
talk q little as they we're driven home,
ward; and all the while that demon
tongue kept repeating over and over:
"Fslse, false, false!'' .. a.,
Arrived at home Marguerite went to
her room. but Charlie escaped to the H.
brary and closed the door behind him.
= He bad o duty to perform. and after
that-well, since she was false he was
tired Of life, and would "drop it like g
worn out garment"
He remembered with q sort OF pity ing
sadness that he had made ample prov:s.
ion for her future; there was nothing left
10 do then but write line and explain
So he seated himself aud wrote such q
letter. telling her all, and that Wher be
Was gone che would be free to marry the
man OF her choice. @ ures
When The ghastly letter was 6nished
he placed it upon the study table, then
opened q drawer, took forth tiny toy
OF a revolver loaded with six good sure
bullets. He laid the cold muzzle agains,
bis forehead, and with q muttered prayer
for mercy placed his finger on the trig-
ger. -se
Meanwhile, up stairs, Marguerite .hav.
ing douned white wrapper was brush
ing out her shining hair. ss
There was q strange, oppressive feel
ing In her hesrt-somethiug unaccount.
able which filed her with vague alarm
Suddenly she sprang 10 her feet. Be.
fore her mind she seemed to see CORY
visio1-ber hueband all bleeding and
ghastly. In all her life Marguerite could
not explain. nor understand the strange
conviction that something was wrong.
She fed from her chamber, down stairs
to the library. The door was not lock
ed; she turned the knob softly and peep
ed in.
God! Her husband was standing be-
fore the marble mantel, the muzzle OF q
revolver pressed against bis temple!
With sudden spring she vas st his
side, and before be knew IL had struck
the weapon from his hand. She threw
her arms about his neck and tainted dead
away.
or course there was an explanation
when she came back to life again; and
Charlie Stewart realized what q fear.
ful deed he had about committed, and
all for the sake OF an imaginary wrong
1.-The phantasy of his own brain.
For. it seemed that Paul Mortimer
loved Marguerite's only sister, bnt be
bad been forbidden the house by her fa-
ther, who, somehow. was sadly prej1di-
cei against Mr.. Mortimer
In his trouble the young man bad ap.
pealed to Marguerite to, use her influence
with her father; and. she, believing her
husbands good opinion Of Mortimer to
be the true one. had been doing all that
lay in her power; conveying messages
to and from the two lovers, as well as
letters.
At the reception given by Mrs. Dal.
las, the affair vas brought to . termina-
tion, and Marguerite Was enabled to in
form the anxious lover, that at last her
father had relented aud her own recep-
tion, to, be given the following night,
was for the purpose Of announcing the
engagement publicly. ~
The only sin.of which Maguerite bad
been guilty OF was the concealment from
her husband; and that bad been prac-
ticed that she might give him pleasant
surprise, Paul Mortimer being his best
friend. as se
Ashamed and ,contrite, Charlie Stew
art be ought bis wife to, pardon him for
the wrong that be had done her; which,
OF course, she was ready to do.
The wedding Of Paul Mortimer and
the young gill who had, unwlttingly,
been the cause OF go much sorrow, was
solemnized not long after. ,... 49,
And when Marguerite kissed her sis
ter's cheek, as the bridal party were
about to start on the wedding tour, she
whispered this advice, which ] repeat for
the benefit OF all young wives: -
mo matter what happens, DEAR" she
said, "don't keep secret from your hus.
bard. No woman should I"
"No, woman can,"s cried Paul, who
had overheard the injunction,
But Charlie, standing near, looked as
IL he knew better.
Ingers0lps El0quence.
Inter Ocean Tsa 10 81