Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-01-01

s{ost ~ sAtp "~'hah - - tHo WIN W
Do you know Why you are here to-
night?S abe asks, in q tone which makes
him glance ct her again 10 wonder.
Because you sent for me-" he an
swers. I" and because love you, Gwend-
olen," lifting the white jeweled hand he
holds gently to his lips.
And because you.are ready to leave
all for me II wish II, are you mott" she
asks, q feductiys change all ct once com
ing over her fair. half-mocking counte-
nance. You are willing 70 give up
your wife, ssyour honor-sll-for my
sakes"
Every vestige Of color leaves his face,
yet he answers passi0nately:
God forgive me ,Gweudolenp' he says
boarsely. am ready 10 give up all
the world for your dear sake"
(" Yet II could not have been 90 in the
past, she says reproachfully, "oryou
could not have married another"
You refused me-" he sxclaims bitter
ly, a. she reminds him Of 0 past which
he would give words 10 recall" refused
me because was not rich man. though
you knew ! worshiped you. Ton mad
deped me with your seom and indiffer-
ence, and there 10 nothing under Heav-
en- would not have done Just then TO
break your spell and triumph over you.
But oh, Gwepdolenr'- -contritely, im-
plorpg-"why do you speak OF thati
Let the past go, and talk OF the present.
You have had your revenge, Heaven
knows"
She utters harsb, pitiless laugh and
rises 70 her feet.
MOL have not had my revenge"
she exclaims, standing before him, her
blue eyes all aiiame with that old mock
ing laugh, " but am going IN take II
now, Warren Hazleton, you deded me,
you dared 70 think that you could spurn
my love and triumph over me. But
have you done sol You married q be au-
| ty and an heiress, but have yon ever
learned to love hcr No; I took good
care that you should not Your heart
has belonged to me from first 10 last, and
| your marriage has proved but hateful
bondage. have made her miserable
from the hour she was welded; aud row
IL orly remains for me TO tell you that,
instead Of loving you, hate you-havs
hated you from the day you dared TO de-
sert me for another. My pretended love
during all these months was q mere farce
70 bring you bacK into my power.
And now"-her passionate tones be-
coming cool and cutt.ngly scornful--"
only wish to say that my acting Is At an
snj--the play ia played out. This is our
last love scens''--with q hooking little
laugh" for tomorrow am TO wed a
millionaire, and before night shall be on
my way to Europe. Goodbye, and
trust you will be happy with your loving
wife"
Aud with q sarcastic bow aud smile,
inexprs ssingly exasperating aud heartles'
she wept from the room, leaving him
standing there white and motionless like
one bereft Of sense and spee:h.
How be staegers to the street and 81
last reaches home he scarcely knowa HI
remembers thinking Of Estelle, his wrong
ed aud slighted wife, and Q bitter hatred
surges up In his heart towards the wo-
man who has thus made him her retchet
dupe.
Then he 10 ct home and In bed, with I
doctor watching over him; and then b.
knows no more, for he Is tossing ant
moaning in the agonies Of brain fever.
He has undergone some strong men
tai shock, the doctor says. He does no
guess what IL is, but Eytelle has silentl,
picked up from the carpet, where 1t had
fallen from Warren's pocket, q card
photograph OF woman's face--the smil-
log, beautiful face that she has just be
gun 70 fear and hate as that OF her un-
known rival, and beneath. In clear, deli
cate characters, IL traced the one wor'
-" q wepdolen.
Estelle quickly hides the card ava.
where none will see L., and takes he
place as nurse beside the sick-bed with |
face 80 pale aud rigid and unquest!on-
ing that the good doctor looks at her II
silent wonder.
Have you been watching beside no
bly, III, haven't II And you-why, ho'
be in bed yourself, poor little girl"
Don't mind me, Warren. I'm gla
10 know that you are getting WE'LL"
This In low, tremulous tones that uu
consciously reveal her tenderness an
sorrow but where are the warm kisses
the endearing love words of the pas
which his memory recalls SO wildly 2
those sweet, half timid caresses that wer
tolerated then simply In the line of duty
they are not offered now. Ware
l tuTub Uuu lUOhb ~ hSi iOh n hVhhIhb
troubled silence.
Estellc, tell me-" he questions ear
nestiy, twas I-that lie, did tall, muc
nonsense when I had the fever !! VIVA
did ssyP
There Is dead silence FIR moment
then she decides that It is best to tell th
truth at once and have It over.
Yes, Warren" she replies, wit
1 20 MI
raving, In your delirlum, of your las
i love, Gwcndolen. And-and you toll
ae many tiines"--a deep .drawn sig
seeming TO rend her very heart-striugs-
as l sat here by your side, what !, in
deed, had discovered long before-tha
you bad married me only for my for
tune"
"Estelle %
He turns his face, crimsoned to tn
very temples with shame and consciou
guilt, away from those dark eyes 50 full
OF patient, uncomplaining suffering
:" It is true, WARREN" she goes on
steadying her treacherous voice, and
sec my way clearly at last. bare onl,
been waiting for your recovery, ami
then"
"Then what, Es.elle ~ he question
In a startled voice, turning to look at he
again.
Then shall leave you, and, in time
you can regain yocr free iom and b
happy with The woman ysu love-" sh'
Answers simply.
No, Estelle, my darling, you shall
never leave me--unless Ia these week
you have learned to hate me as de
serve, " he ans wers firmly, taking tn,
Il white hand that rests IN tfa uillnw in hi
clasp. Listen A few words will tel
you NIL my folly, and then, God knows,
| nope you can Forgive me, my patien