The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-01

at Madge 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 scornful lips and blazing |
eyes.
Ay, Madge Smith was an enigma and
mystery to all who knew her. No warmer
friend, no brighter companion did those OF
her own sex seek for. But never were those
wonderful eyes to soften, in response to any
lovers; no glacier was moro frigid than she
to all men.
Ali, did say? Nay, Dame Rumor had
plenty Of gossip just now. Only few
weeks since new rival appeared on the
scene of action. Neil Rowan, merchant and
millionaire, entered the list of Madge
Smiths adorers--not for heI wealth, surely,
Madame Grundy acknowledged, graciously.
He had enough of his own. 1t was
genuine love that this bIase man of society
felt for beautiful Madge. And wonderful
change had come over the fair lady since
his appearance. Bright before, she was
brilliant now-sparkling, witty, bewilder-
ing the world looked on in amaze to see the
| flush stain her white cheeks, and the bright
smile that lighted her eyes at his approach.
| And did he not recognize her, you are
wondering +? Nay, how should heP Sweet
| Cora Smith, and the summer in the coun-
try, were forgotten things with this man
Had had broken half dozen silly hearts
since then, and left them all with Time,
the great healer.
He had flirted with society's queens and
village maidens innumerable, and left the
past all behind him And now he came and
laid the first pure, real love of his lifetime
at this woman's feet. So he told her, one
autumn night, in the grand parlor of her
stately home.
How her hands trembled and her eyes
shone as she listened
''Wait," she said; 81 will give you my
answer tomorrow night; it is my birth
night, and l shall give an entertainment.
{ You will come; l will answer 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 impatiently.
Would she ever come, this gl that was
dearer than his life ? Ay, she was life to
him. The world had seemed old, stale,
hayorless, until he met her, the woman who,
5 alone of all her sex, had ever stirred the
J slumbering passions of his heart. How
4 bright the future seemed ! He was SO sure
of her answer; had not she given it all but
I in words
"My beautiful, my queen y he said,
b softly. Add just then ho heard the light
5 ripple Of womans laugh in the adjoining
/, room. Her laugh; he knew it amoug q
i Thousand and her voice; she was speaking
il loud and clear.
d "Thero, Guardje; you must lot me go
now. Mr.. Rowan is waiting for me in The
d library. You know am to give him his
j, answer to night"
i And the guadian's voice, speaking tender
d ly replied
n ''And that answer, can guess it, LITTLE
& Madge. Yon are gong to marry this man
and leave us all.
0 She laughed softly.
o 'Marry him No, indeed, sir ! lie il
just the subject for grand Irritation, and
o dSSuIG SOu udfO dSbSt my P"ip NSiAs ~
|, for anything further-bah But he j
J, expecting me, so ny-by till came again,
and she tripped lightly through the half
a open door, ere the amazed guardian coul
it utter syllable,
A white, ghastey, shivering figure stood b.
d the library window
re 'For Gods sake, Madge Smith, tell M
| lo ioI hpi 10
glowingly beautiful, she glided into tn
m room.
" "Not so, my friend" she answered
ID lightly; 81 spoke the truth. If you over
heard my my words need not repeat them
st 1t is my answer"
i "But you gave me hope; you led m
1t on, you have given me reason to think yol
* love me, " he cried, passionately, sit is til
It. one love of my life have centered ever
er hope and thought in you, Madge Smit
and for my sake, for Gods sake, do nc
rt wreck my life p
hit She was very pale now, and her eye
20 were black and glistening,
e. "Neil Rowan" she said, slowly, g
as have prayed for this hour for eight years
mt Dub u5NCI III my Wllutsb hid piilh
ut my prayer would be so fully answered
ly WhenI saw the hue of death, the whit
agony on my only sisters cheek-when
ad saw her writhe in speechless agony at til
nv words she heard eight years ago tonight,
# vowed to avenge her, God being my helpe
nd Again, when heard the thud of the cart
Of upon her coffin, l vowed that vow.
God has brought it about even soone
"a more complete, than had thought If
~ have given you one hour of such agony a
% :. she live and suffered, am content. If yc
y could lived and suffer it for countless age
j l should be better content. Good night p
-, Two hours afterward, the sharp ring of
]. pistol rang with startling distinctne
e through the crowded drawing-room. A
>. sprang to their feet, save Madge Smit
Perhaps her cheek paled little--I cam
tell-but the light Of her eye never change
lth her smiling lips never relaxed, as she gaz'
mt upon the blood-stained corpse in the librar
Or Neil Rowan had taken his own life, al
ION Cora Smith was avenged.
:" "Ciass in the middle Of geograph