The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-30
HOW WAS TEMPTED.

lHlS ttInpltllOH SlTOHg, Dut WHeu L
thought of her, my little baby girl,
there came to me the knowledge that l
would yield.
Yield-and to what?
To be the wife of a man whom my
soul loathed. while my darling, the one
love of my life, lay under the dark blue
waves.
would not believe this terrible story
they told me-this man who sought me
for his wife. and the coarse, ill-bred
woman who now seemed to be mistress
of the Grange, where for that short
bright wear of my married life | had
reigned as a queen.
The terrible words burned in my brain
the words they had spoken to me. or
rather, Vance had spoken; for though
felt there was some secret understand
ing between the new house-keeper and
him. outwardly they were distant
enough.
This is what he told me?
had not been my darling's legal
wife. for far away in another land,
another wife had claimed him, wife
who died-at least, so he proved to me
six months after my marriage.
Oh, Heavens! how could believe it?
Believe that my love could be guilty of
such crime?
This man, Vance Eldridge, whom l
so hated and deSpised, and my husband,
Guy Ashton. whom | had wOrshipped,
were second cousins. and both had been
my lovers before had chosen Guy.
When Vance had asked me to be his
wife l told him had already given my
promise to Guy, who had spoken two
days before him.
His face had grown black.
Il will not give you up to him!' he
cried. You are mine by the passion
of love bear you. What does he know
of lOve?"
The next moment he had caught me
in his arms. and, despite my struggles,
had kissed me on my lips and brow.
Coward! Shame! Disgrace to your
namer' cried hotlv. Then half pit
led him, his face had grown so pale.
''Violet. | cannot ask your pardon,
for l would peril my soul for those two
kisses. The day will come when all
your kisses will be mine, for | have
sworn it, and will manage some way
to keep my OATH"
The next moment | was alone, the
never left me after, conquering every
other feeling.
Three months later was married to
Guy, and then Vance left the home that
had sheltered him from childhood.
had never spoken to Guy of that
scene, nor of the kisses that yet made
my soul burn with anger at the remem-
brance of them. The offence had never
been repeated, and on my wcddingday
he went abroad.
Then one year passed, year whose
brightness fingers with me now, so full
it was of passionate bliss and days
bright with loves glory.
Merciful Heaven! could it be that the
lover-husband, who kissed my lips with
passionate tenderness, and surrounded
me with every sign of love, the husband
who had seemed to idolise ME, had
made me -- Oh no, no; it could
not be!
Il will not believe it, cried in my
agony. He was my husband. l was
his wife"
Even this | cried aloud when Vance,
who had come home shortly after the
news of Guys death, held before my
eyes the terrible proofs of his story-the
arriage-certifcate of IneZ Vanessa
and Guy Ashton.
You were not his wife, Violet"
s'NOt his wife, | repeat, staggering
blindly towards a chair; but before
reach it, Vance leaps to his feet, my
senses leave me, and then-then1 know
no more.
When | open my eyes again, l am ly-
ing on the sofa all drenched with CO.
logne-water, and Vance and the house
keeper are bending over me.
''She is BETTER" heard Vance say,
as opened my eyes. and then closed
them again, but had seen the express
sion of relief on his face.
.'She is fragile as the flower whose
name she bears" he says; ''but-'
hear the woman say 'Hush! then
something is held to my lips. which l
drink without opening my eyes.
One week later my temptation came
to me, when Vance asked me again to
be his wife.
Your choice is this, Violet" he said.
bv-word-for the truth must be told if
you go-tO leave it with your nameless
little one in your arms, and his, Guy 5,
name word of dishonor and reproach,
or to become my worshipped and hon.
ored wife, and bury the terrible story
from all human knowledge"
The temptation was terrible, and
yielded-yielded for my little yellow
haired baby's sake-the baby who look
ed at me with its fathers eyes, and
smiled with its fathers smile-for her
sake, my little Leoline, and for his as
well-fOr Guy, who had wronged me
so, but whom had loved, nay, did love
still, though he slept beneath the wave,
with my heart and soul.
For his sake and the sake of his child
/ would sacrifice myself, that his name
might rest in peace, not be remember
ed with dishonor.
Near the Grange, or, rather, below it
for it was built ON an eminence-was
little Gothic cottage, owned by gen
tleman who lived at some distance from
it.
The cottage was eNquisitely furnish
ed, and the owner willing enough to let
it. but found it hard to get tenant il
would suit in size, considering the
rent.
One day, however, | was passing, and
at one of the windows / saw a dark
beautiful face, whose rare loveliness al
most startled me.
As her eyes met mine she drew back,
but not before L saw strange interest
strange at least for one who be,
lieved had never seen me before-dawn-
ing in her eyes, while looked up, at
tracted by her manner.
A few days later ] happened to be in
one of the rooms of the GRANGE uuite
alone, for Leoline was sleeping. and
with deep pain at my heart looked
over the broad lands that | had believed
my child's inheritance.
Standing there, realised with full
force the misery of the life that lay be.
fore me, as the wife of man | actually
| shrank from-a man who felt was 8
villain.