Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-10-31

NORWOOD to Lalie, for she had ruled the
household, and wanted no new mistress
to reign. May, who was naturally a
tempered and affectionate girl, but
weak and easily led, was taugat by her
cousin to regard her fathers wife as an
interloper, who would usurp her place IN
her fathers heart, and rob his child of
affection.
The beautiful face, the gentle, winning
ways of Lucille could have won Che girls
love, had not Cousin Lalie been ever near
to poison her mind against the interloper.
Poor Lucille was chilled by the welcome
she received on her entrance into her new
home, and from that hour her tender
heart was continually receiving wounds
that seemed barbed as she attempted to
draw them out by reasoning and patience.
1t needed all her Christian heroism to
forbear, yet no word of complaint escaped
her lips, although her face paled, the
roses faded from her cheeks with the
secret tears she shed, and when her hus-
band, whese love alone sustained her, was
called away to Florida on business connect
ed with property to which he had fallen
heir, Lucille could no longer endure her
loneliness, and from the hour of his de-
parture, she sank into state of nervous
depression that babe fair to assume more
dangerous symptoms.
Mays communication startled and
alarmed her. for she knew her husband
would blame her for not acquainting him
with the fact of Dale's visits to his daugh-
ter, and he ventured to demonstrate.
with what result we have already seen.
II will write TO Rodney tonight; will
beg him to come home. Oh. if he knew
how have suffered. would he not pity
met" she murmured, raising he sad eyes
to the heaven where her wrongs were
known.
1t was a glorious summer evening, and
Lucille drew her writing desk before one
of the open windows and prepared to be-
gin her task, but her hands trembled so
that she could not hold her pen, and her
head throbbed painfully.
Mechanically her eyes wandered out of
the window to where the twilight shad-
ows we're falling over the smooth shaver
lawn and fragrant flowers porterres, and
she caught glimpse of white dress and
blue ribbons disappearing among the
trees, where May was walking with her
lover.
A sudden desire seized her to see this
Alwyn Dale whom May had promised to
wed, and on the impulse of the moment
she rang for her maid, and startled the
girl by the abrupt manner in which she
announ ced her intention of going out on
the lawn.
"Mais, Madanae-" the French girl b g.
gan, but Lucille silenced her.
II understand. Anna, you would say 1
am too ill to venture out, but do not fear
the air will do me good,' she said in the
girls own language, and Anna only
shrugged her shoulders as she wrapped a
soft white shawl about her mistress and
watched the graceful, willowy form glid-
ing slowly down the lawn.
Guided by the sound of Mays merry
voice, and frequent ripples OF silvery
laughter. Lucille approached the arbor in
which the lovers were seated side by side.
Her light footfal made no sound on the
velvet grass, and the lovers, absorbed in
their own conversation. were not aware
OF her presence. She was about to call
Mays name, when the gentleman raised
his head and glanced straight toward the
spot where she stood, looking like some
beautiful statue in the twilight.
An awful grayish pallor overspread the
face of Mays lover, and the name IL ucle''
escaped his lips in hoarse whisper, while
Lucille gave utterance to low, inarticu.
late cry and fell senseless at his feet.
Mays cry of alarm brought the servant
to the spot, and during the scene that fol
lowed, Alwyn Dale disappeared.
Lucille was soon restored to conscious
ness, but she was evidently very i'll; her
beautiful dark eyes were burning with
fever fire, and the small, restless hands
would burn one with their lightest touch.
II must not give away to this dreadful
weakness, I must see him! Oh, Heaven.
give me strength to do my dutyl'' she
whispered, as she paced the floor of her
chamber with unsteady, faltering steps.
A doctor had been set for, and Anna.
10 fever of impatience, was watching
for him at the gate, when Mays lover an.
preached her cautiously and entrusted to
her keeping a note to be delivered OF once
to her mistress.
'This is for yourself, Anna" as he
placed ten dollar note in her hand; land
remember. on no condition give the note
into other hands than those of your mis-
tress, you understand"
"QM, naonsieWr,' Anna answered de-
murely. as she pocketed his gift and hur-
ried toward the house. monsieur mis-
takes me for the maid of Mademoiselle
May" she thought, and made haste to
hand the rote to May without suspicion
that it was intended for Lucille.
With face flushing and paling by turns.
May opened the envelope and read as
follows i
LUCILLE:-If you ever loved me.
come to me to night before you have
spoken to May. 1 will linger about The
old oak, just outside the west gate. Do
not fail to come to me-remember the
tie that binds you to- D.
Every vestage of color faded from
Nays pearl, fair face as she read the
words, and Lalie. who had read the note
over her Cousins shoulder, laughed
mockingly =
II told you so! always knew she
was hypocrite; she couldn't impose on
me with her smooth face and her sanity
ways" she exclaimed exultantly.
But May silenced her with quick ges.