Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-07-09

ed her eyes at his approach.
And did he not recognize her, you
are wondering? Nay, how should he?
Sweet Cora Smith, and the summer IN
the country, were forgotten things |
with this man. He had broken half a |
dozen silly hearts since then, and left
them all with time, rhe great healer.
He had flirted with society's queens
and village maidens innumerable, and |
left the past all behind him. And
now be came and laid the first pure,
real love of his lifetime at this wo-
mans feet. So etold her, one autumn
night, in the grand parlor of her
stately home.
How her hands trembled and her
ewes shone as she listened!
"Wait," she said; IL will give you
my answer tomorrow night; it is my
birthnight, and shall give an enter
tainment. You will come; will an
swer you then. Be in the library at
ten and you shall hear my answer
And the night came, and he was
there waiting, He paced the room
impatlently. Would she ever come,
this girl that was dearer than his life?'
Ay, she was lite to him. The world
had seemed old, stale, favorless, until
he met her, the woman who, alone of
ali her sex, had ever stirred the slum.
bering passions of his heart. How
bright the future seemed He was so
sure of her, answer; had she not given
it all but in words7
"My beautiful, my queen!" he said,
softly. And just then he heard the
light ripple of woman's laugh; in the
adjoining room. Her laugh; he knew
it among thousand; and her voice;
she was speaking loud and clear.
"There Guardie; you must let me
20 now. Mr.. Rowan is waiting for
me in the library. You know | am
to give him mis- answer tonight"
And the guardians voice, speaking
tenderly, replied
"And that answer. | can guess it.
little Madge You are going to marry
this man and leave US all. "
, She laughed softly.
, "Marry him? No, indeed, sir!-
He is just the subject for a grand
Irritation, and l assure you J. have
acted my part well; but Tor anything
further-pah! But he is expecting
) me, so by-by till come again." and
she tripped lightly through the half
, open door, ere the amazed guardian
: could utter syllable.
A white, ghastly, shivering figure
stood by the library window.
9 "For Gods sake, Madge Smith,
l tell me you we're jestingr' he cried, as
t brillia ntly, growingly beautiful, she
: gllded into the room.
= "Not so, my friend" she answered,
| lightly; II spoke the truth. If you
overheard my words need not repeat
9 them. 1t IS my answer"
l But you gave me hope; you led
S me on; you have given me reason tc
think you loved me-" he cried, pas
q sionately.
e at is the one love OF my life!
e have centred every hope and thought
t in you, Madge Smith, and for my sake
d for Gods sake, do not wreck my life!'
s She was very pale now, and hel
e eyes were black and glistening.
t "Neil Rowan" she said, 81 have
= prayed for eight years, but never ii
o my widest dreams did l think my
: prayer would be so fully answered
d When l saw the hue of death, white
s agony on my only sisters cheek
!. when l saw her writhe in speeches
h agony at the words she heard eigh
It years ago tonight, vowed to aveng'
e her, God being my helper. Again
e when l heard the thu1 of the earth up
d on her coffin, I vowed that vow. Coz
e has brought it about even sooner, more
complete, than had thought. If
1t have given you one hour of such agon,
h as she suffered, l am content. If yo1
le could live and suffer it for counties
ID ages, should be better content. Goo
d night"
sr Two hours afterward, the sharp rim,
n of pistol rang with startling distinct
d ness through the crowded drawing
le room All sprang to their feet, saw
n Madge Smith. Perhaps her chez
re paled lit:le-I. cannot tell-but th
le light of her eye never changed, he
le smiling lips never relaxed, as she gaz
n ed upon the bloodstained corpse i
the library. Neil Rowan had take
ii his own life, and Cora Smith wa