The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-10

FOR Wniie tne nre glowed 90 nOislfy c
n the CRATE, the wind howled, and the /
luiet remained unbroken then the heavy
relvet curtains we're drawn back, and q
Marion stepped out from behind. II
Her face was as pallid as ghost's.
her dark eyes we're burning With fierce 9
pride, and very angry; her lips we're {
trembling with excitement and suppress
ed resentment.
A prettier picture Of enraged pride
could not be seen. Ii
"Great heavenr' she cried with
passionate stamp. "What deceiti How
often have I hurled the fact in his face
that was glad, infinitely glad that
owed him nothing. He calmly heard
me, knowing that il was a beggar's de.
lusion be was listening toi" She psus-
ed, and her flashing eyes turned m the
chair he had lately occupied. "How he
dstests, me, too," she said. 81 have
never tried 10 win bis favor-we have |
never been friendly, and to think that for
weeks past, or perhaps months, have
eaten his bread and spent bis money,
thinking It entirely my own. But II Is
over-I shall not stay In the vide
world there is surely room for me to
earn my bread!"
She drew back the curtain and looked
out. The stars were shining frostily,
but the wild March wind was making
havoc Of every stray leaf and fragment
In its path.
The streets we're deserted. 1t was an
unusually bitter night OF that blusterous
month, night when humanity keeps its
head, snail.like. indoors, when the crack.
Ne OF bright frs was the sweetest sound
on earth
Marion, with . little shiver, turns
away
81 must go!' she muttered, "not an
other night will stay here beggsr on
bis bounty. Old Mrs. Chaplin, though
she is poor, will keep me for my mothers
sake until ge, something to do and pay
her back" She paused second by Je
rome's armchair. and leaned her arm on
the back of it 81 wish-I wish be did
not dislike me So" she whispered, and
the tears temEted the lustre Of her eyes.
ut was my abominsble temper at first
and now be is tired OF me, and would
gladly marry me to the fret coxcomb
that asks"
This mood only lasted second, and
all the old 6erceness returned.
"But what am I doing?" she said,
dashing away the tears and trying to
control her quivering lips. do not
hatelhis man-this superior being tina,
treats me as childp Am not glad by
accident learned the truth Of nv posi-
,ionP Certainlyi Am not delighted
at the possibility Of feeling Independent,
avav from bis benevolent smilef l am ;
and the time will come when Jerome
vann will wonder that he ever laughed
at me or my vsgaries"
All her warm Southern nature arous
ed. she went to the desk and began to
write. q note to this detested guardian
"Sir," it dashed of, "ten minutes
since learned nv position in your
house, and it is such an undesirable one
that renounce it this night. You, who
have disapproved of me so strongly, will
no doubt be glad to learn that have
broken from your reins and fed. Good
night and good-hy to you, sir.
MARION.
"P. S.-1 distinctly and empha.ically
refuse to marry Mr.. Blnfficgton."
An hour later she was on the street,
the wind bio wing her cloak, and twist
ing her veil until it looked like signal
of distress.
There was nothing OF the heroine
about her as she hurried along, keeping
on the darkest side of the street, her
head lowered, and her tears dropping
thick and fast. Poor Marionl The
first touch OF the world, in which she
stood alone, was cold and blus,ery.
The weeks passed On hy lsaden feet
Advertisements and detectives we're both
Of no avail, and Jerome vann's face
grew strangely old and sad. for Marion g
whereabouts still remained mystery.
He loved her far more than be ever
realized. He longed to see that spirited.
magnetic face again, and TO hear the
pert, merry voice which had made such
drollery Of his well-meant advice.
Day after day passed, each one an ex
act repetition of the preceding one, and
all very weary, sickening blanks to the
rich lawyer in his stately home.
1t was June. Sunny, soft weather
reigned in the city. Roses bloomei ev-
erywhere, in florists windows. in market
carts, in wealthy gardens-every where
the fragrant lunches Of different hued
flowers waved In the breeze.
Jerome was standing at his library
window, looking out at the throng of
promenaders and open carriages dash
ing along. His eyes were no longer
illed with suspense, they we're far worse
l-calm and hopeless.
He hal left nothing untried to discov.
er her wbereabouts, and Il had all been
worse than useless. He had been beat
ing his heart out with pain, in alternate
hope and failure, In passionate longing,
and now all was over. Without any re-
uewed vigor be Was still kept in profes
sional duties, trying, but vainlv, to take
no the thread Of existence as though
Marion had never been known and dearly
loved
He took up bis bat and cane and went
out. His steps led him to Broadway -
The tboroughfare was crowded and be
walked slowly along, bis moody face
with it's quietly bitter expression, IN
marked contrast to those around him
He paused to look at picture which
attracted number of people 1t was 3
quaint design in water coiors, in the
shape of q small screen.
The picture showed the ses on .
stormy day. with the floating spars and
masts OF q wrecked ship appearing above
the angry waves In the distance All the
coloring Of the picture is centered in two
figures on the shore
One, the dead body OF drowned sail
or, curls lying on his forehead, bis eyes
closed. bis blue jacket torn, showing the
powerful chest in which the heart would
never beat again The other, young
girl with face of extreme lovelinessl
l,h rh nou.rl,oH ~,;.b