Smyrna times., 1885-07-15

ewes uBNGE IthlNAA Ol NlAt BlAhAAAI AtAtaNt
for, ere the insane light gave place to
reason again, death sealed tho white
eyelids. To such natures aa this girl'h'
love is life, and tho rude blow TINT woke
her from the ono bright dream Of her
youth, snapped tho slender cord that
bound her frail spirit 10 onrtll, nnd ont
of the depths of her awful grief, the
kindly hand of death lcd her 10 the
mountain-top whore IN builded the city
of the Now Joruualonl
Day 10y day, week. by week, month Ivy
month, 40 Hped the time until eight
years wcro counted Eight times the
grass had grown over the little grave in
tho lonely, country graveyard, and again
the October winds rustled the scarlet
loaves over the uurrow mound
Wonderful changes had the eight ycnrs
brought Side l.v aide with this Rryc
were two others, and the hendsiunea
bore tho names Of good aunt and nrlo
Smith They hnd rested there siv yonrs,
and every summer beautiful Mndgo
Smith came down from her city maneiun,
aud fingered in the old homo week,
trimming the grnRses and planting
bright flowers en- the mounds. Bright,
beautiful Madgo Smith, the hcrcsa Of
all Uncle Smiths hidden wealth, tho
wealth he guarded 40 well during That
toil-won, weary life.
Three years before, Madgc Smith left
school, to reign queen of society,
Beautiful, strangely beautiful, with that
cold, white hiRh-hred fncc those wido
fathomlcss, glittoring amber eyes, II
figure matchlcss in symmetry and grace,
accomplished polished, and tho hcross
of great wealth, no wonder that lovers
old and young, knclt nt Madgc Smiths
shrine. Strange wonder, the world said.
that all were scorned not gently and
with words of pity and apology, but
spurn from her very feet with scornlul
lips and blazing eyes
Ay, Ma lge Smith was nm enigma and
mystery to all who know her No
warmer friend, no brighter companion
did those of her own sex seek for. But
never were those lips seen to smile, OF
those wonderful eyes to soften, in re-
sponse to any lovers; no glacier was
more frigid than she to all men. All,
did L say? Nay Dame Rumor had
plenty of gossip Just now. Only a few
weeks since n new rival appeared on the
scene of action. Neil Rowan, merchant
and millionaire entered the list o.
Madge Smiths adorers not for hcl
wealth, surely, Madame Grundy nc
llnowledgcd, graciously. He had enough
of his own. 1t was genuine love tina
this MSe man of society felt for beautiful
AIadge. And wonderful change ha,
come over the fair lady since his appear
ance. Bright before, she was brlllian
now sparkling, witty, bewildering; an,
the world looked on i'll amaze to see tin
flush stain her whi,e cheeks, and tn
bright smile that lighted her eyes ut hi
approach.
-AAlNA NlANA AAD A4Ob ANCOS1 AA4lI lAGAs 1Ou III
wondering? Nay, how should he? Swee
Cora Smith, and the summer in thecoun
try, were forgotten things with this man
He had broken half dozen silly heart
since then, and left them all with Time
the great healer. He had hirted wit
societys queens and village maidens IL
Vulnerable, and left the past all benin
INN. And now he came and laid til
first pure, real love of his lifetime at th
woman's feet So he told her, OH
autumn night, in the grand parlor of he
stately home.
How Ter hands trembled and her eye
shone as she listened
wait, she said; 4 will give yo
my answer tomorrow night it is m
birthnight, and L shall give an ente
tainment. You will come; 1 will answ,
you then. Be in the library at ten, an
you shall hear my answer"
And the night came, and he was the
waiting. Hepaced the room inpatient
Would she ever come, this girl that W
dearer than his life? Ay, she was Ii
to him. The world had seemed oil
! stale, tlavorless, until he met her, Il
, woman who, alone of all her sex, h.
ever stirred the slumbering passions
/ his heart. How bright the futu
seemed He was so sure of her answe
had not she given it all but in words
, MY beautiful, my queen " he sal
softly. And just then he heard the Ig
ripple of woman's laugh in the adioi
ing room. Her laugh; he knew it amo-
| thousand; and her voice she W
} speaking loud and clear.
"There, Guardie; you mnst let me
= now. Mr.. Rowan is waiting for me
the library. You know 1 am to gi
5 him his answer to night"
And the guadian's voice, speaki
tenderly, replied
And that answer, 1 can guess it, lit
r Madge. You are eping to marry Il
= man, and leave us all"
+ She laughed softly.
[ Marry him? No, indeed, sir!
s is just the subject for grand AirtatiC
l and I assure you 1 have acted my pi
1 well but for anything further-ba
t But he is expecting me, so by-by til
y come again" and she tripped light
through the half-open door, ere t
4 amazed guardian could utter a syllab
/ A white, ghasty, shivering figure sto
v by the library window.
# For Gods sake, Madge Smith, t
p me you were jesting" he cried,
n brilliantly, glowingly beautiful s
glided into the room.
e "Not so, my friend" she answerc
1t lightly; II spoke the truth. If y
overheard my words need not repC
ie them. 1t is my answer"
l, But you gave me hope; you led I
le on, you have given me reason to thi
you love me" he cried, passionateI
e, 1T is the one love of my lifel 1 ha
le centerd every hope and thought in yc
Madge Smith, and formy sake, for Go,
ID sake, do not wreck my hfel"
=? She was very pale now, and her ey
~ were black and glistening.
"Neil Rowan, she said, slowly.
le have prayed for this hour for eight yea
in but never in my widest dreams die
III think my prayer would be so fu
answered. When saw the hue
I,