The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-07
Selfrf Story.
A MAD LOVE.
By MARY c PRESTON.


"You will not listen to me. Miss Lee y
"Why should you urge me to listen.
when your words but pain mef am
sorry--very sorry, but ! can not care
for you. Why say more ?"
TIE mans face darkened. II was o
peculiar, Spanish face, with dark eyes,
straight nose, rather low forehead. and
full. impetueus lips that could curve very
cruelty ct times-as they did now.
The girl, who bad rejected his offered
love and who stood before him in an at
titude of shrinking dread. was very pale
and also very beautiful, in q sweet, flow.
er-like, dainty way.
His passionate words had startled and
repelled her. as he saw by the shrinking
in her eyes and her deadly pallor.
His teeth met gratingly as be looked
at her, and his dark eyes glowed like
torches OF fame.
sBut will say more!" he burst out,
grasping her hand with almost painful
force, and retaining it despite OF her
struggles to release il. "You do not M.
derstand what you have awakened in my
soul, and l will tell you-a mad. unrea-
sonable idolstry, which turns it from all
things OF earth or heaven toward you I;
q feeling as resistless as the ocean in its
anger, as much to be feared BY you. l
am no clod. I will not lay my heart at
your feet, that you may trample it! /
will have equal love Or"
He broke of suddenly and fell on bis
knees before her, bis face changing and
melting until it was eIorified by the new,
soft feeling that had come. to the un-
trained heart of this child OF Spain.
my love-mv queen!" be whispered,
"forgive my wild words! Let me knee'
TO you; let me love you; let me see you
smiling on me; give you such love,as
men seldom give-I give you my life
Let your heart answer never so family
Il will be blest Love, whisper me q
word; give me a smile; leave me my
life; would die, body and soul, With.
out youP
His voice was like harp chords when
the fingers Of musician has swep
them softly; bis graceful form was quiv
ering with emotion; the lights fell redly
on his bent, dark head.
He still held ber band, and had ben
his lips to it. Their tremuious toucl
thrilled the girl profoundly, and ting
of color anshed her cheeks.
81 beg of you-I command you, Mr.
Longanza', rise and end this very pain
fol interview" she said, slowly; 81 an
SO sorry you did not know, butt an
betrotbedF
A Tow cry left the mans suddenly livit
lips: with one hand he flung backw wart
the masses of his dark hair, which ha,
fallen on his forehead, and sprang to hi
| feet but he still retained her haud.
ITO whomf'
He asked the question 6erceiy, hi
burning eyes on her face.
| She looked fearlessiy back on him, .
she answered:
"Lionel Grey"
The Spaniard said nothing more, bu
an expression Of cruelty crept over hi
full, red lips; be flung her hand fror
him, and left the room.
Stella Lee sank into chair, startle'
and half horri6ed by the interview; be
even nature, gentle and sweet, corl
have no sympathy with that tiercely i'm
petuous one OF the man who bad knel
for her love; she was repelled by It; sh
sank from it with something akin 10 tel
ror.
Lionel, her promised husband, her ia
ther's ward, bad met Pedro Longanza,
and liked him; sort of friendship ha
arisen between the two young mer
which at last brought the Spaniard t
Stella's presence.
From that fret hour Of meeting, Pee
70 had loved the fair American girl Wit
what might truly be termed mad low
since she could never fail to shrink frol
It's force, through her own dainty gentle
ness, even were she heart free; but st
was not so, for she aud Lionel had bee
{ pledged 10 each other for q twelvemont
aud loved each other devotedly.
+ "I'will not tell Lionel" Stella though
when she bad grown calmer. "Ths
are friends, and / am sure be is sorl
+ now for bis rudeuess. ] never thoug
!. Of such . thing as bis loving me. /
!. ltry to forget it."