Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-12-04

|thsu kissed him.
" n You love me now, II 10 all / do
Isire." she said, softly.
There was soiree that evening, and
the lower looms were ablazo with
fiights.
viva, in her pure white dress, with
pearls around her throat and wrists, and
Z spray Of lilies in her brown braidss
felt her heart beat With strange emo
lions - she saw Ethel Trevanion stand.
ing at her husbands side.
Toe dark beauty was . vision TO
hold each sense In thrall. She wore .
velvet princess robe OF amethystine
hue draped with golden cause, and her
perfect neck and arms were bare save
where wide bands of gold, studded
with jewels, encircled them.
Viva caught her breath, with look
Of pain in her eyes. What wonder
Neil, with his artistic soul, loved this
radiant, picturesque woman. She
realized suddenly her own pjainuess
and fragility.
Neil had spoken truly. The power
his wife had over his heart had been
tfeng thenine every day, and had he
ever met with his old love again all
would have been well. But he had
m ct her and she had fore iven him, and
smiled upon him with look ia her
eyes that awoke all the dying emotions.
That evening her infiunce over himl
began TO melt away the barrier thai
time had built, and in the days that
followed she kept him Ut her side with
all the srts fascinating woman aud
experienced coQuette can WELD.
He was dazxied by her smiles, blind
ed by her allurements. Duty aud
honor alike seemed forgotten in the
spell that had fallen upon hfn, and yet
he did not realize his cruelty 10 one
who never murmuYed nor complained.
but bore all with the old love and pa.
thence that had at first sndeared her to
him.
1t was all III istake," he told Linn
self. :" should not have we'll
should have waited, and time would
have SGT things Alright. 1 have done
Ethel wrong, but she loves me yet"
That was ever his plea with CON
science, and had he not 80 believed, be
would not have driited on the danger
GUS current.
He thought of -hel as one he had
sinned against, wronged by cruel in
Justice, as one whose love had made
her relenting. And 60 to him it seem sj
that fate had dealt severely with them
both.
He left her presence one night in des
perate, miserable mood, vet not with
out happiness, for her kisses burned
upon his lips, and her love. lit eyes seem
ed looking into his own, and there wa
the scent of the wild olive flowers in AZ
air as though it bad baen waited from
her laces and perfumed tresses.
/ He 1if q niOor aud afrnl al 1nwn Tn tn,
beach. The moon WAS shining, but De-
hind the bowlder where he stood we
many shadows. The breeze was strong
but the towering stone shielded him
He saw another figure come down tn,
plank path and along the sands. 1t wa
Ethel Trevanion in her pale. hued dres,
land Tutoring scarf; then, as she cam,
NEARER, he saw that she was not alone
A small, slender form slided besid
her, and as they paused, no could Sc
1.-The face of his wife, white and weird
looking in the moonlight.
~ do not see why you should asi
this Of me-" said the low voice tina
thrilled him, but the tones were colo
and bitter now.
at i, because am his wife, and
love him." answered Viva, earnestly
i"He was learning TO care for me before
jyou came; he would have been tue haG
: you not charmed him with the arts O
which you are mistress Ethel Trevan
, ion, be merciiul. If you love him
"No, no." cried Ethel, passionateiy
laying her jeweled hands on the other
shoulders and locking down into he-
pleading eyes; listen, Viva Eldr.dge.
am q wicked, heartless woman, but
lam human; you have conquered M
with your noble womanliness aud Gu
during patience. l will go away from
here out of your husbands life forever
and may you win the heart that yol
desire, the love I would have robbe'
lyon of for the sake of revenge. Yes
that was all. | have deceived him
Ny love for him was but fancy-sucl
women rs never truly iove-but
wanted to pay back old scores aud
bring him to my feet, you understand
am to marry a man Of fortune. 1 an
happy only where can reign in society
and make the men admire and til
women envy. You cannot understand
such natures, but Viva Eldriage, an
not worthy even your companiouship.
She turned abruptly and went bacl
to the hotel. They never met again
Her power over Neil Eldridge's hear
was lost at last, and WAS reign be
gan, q reign that euded only with life
for, standing there in the shade of tn
bowlder, Neil had heard all, and fol
through all the pain and bitterness
Ethel Trevanion's confession had caus
him, the sweet and just appreciation o
the woman who was TO him IN afte
years his hearts idol. Truly,a woman
DO wer is in her love.