The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-05-30

woman, incapable OF the scornful rejection
Of the love she longed for, and which was
now humbly laid at her feet, 10 be refused
rejected. Trembling for herself and her
weakness, she fed but only TO return.
Yearnipg to see him again, after some days
wearying, she plunged once more into the
gayties Of town. Her well-known equipage
and lovely face were seen in the park, and
although she fought against her love, and,
denied herself to Paul, invariably being
"not at home" 10 him, day came when she
could no longer refuse the interview he
asked. In answer to Ills letter he was
ushered into a ,pretti1y furnished room.
Through glass door, opening upon small
garden, he saw fsabel's slender figure in
softly falling white drapery. With slightly
heightened color, che entered and greeted
him.
There was moment Of embarrassing ST.
lence. She was the first TO recover her
composure, as seeking To release her hand
from his she murmured:
''Mr. Smith, hope"
What she hoped, he never asked. Cover
ing the hand he held imprisoned In his own
with kisses, he, In burning words, besought
her forgiveness, and more than that, her
love.
With futtering movement she sought TO
withdraw her hand from his firm grasp,
then suddenly she let IL lie passive In his.
lie looked up. The shadow Of smile
dimpled the corners Of her mouth, as she
softly uttered: "This TO me, the despised
model!'' Encouraged by the tone of her
but with a forbidding gesture shed back.
Isabel don't send me away from you!
All these long years I have wanted you,
and my lonely heart has ached for the love
that was lost TO me. And row that am
more worthy Of you--now-you will not
refuse 10 let you call me mine 7"
"Mr. Smith, yOu are paying me the high
est compliment In Offering me the hand and
heart you refused to Isabel Gray. You can
more fittingly bestow IL on Lord Somerville's
widow; shall not disgrace you as wife.
Hush ~ she continued, as he sought to
interrupt her. "lfeaf me ont. That day
80 long ago-I called at the studio, and
accidentally overheard your conversation
with Hugo Somerville. Determined that you
should not have the chance Of spelling your
life by marrying me, went away and
changed my address. Your friend found me
ont, and by his goodness and chivalry won
me. And now II may be as we'll to be clear
upon one point, an important one. That is,
that, wealthy as am reputed, In marrying
again, the only fortune bring my husband
is-myself, Isabel Somerville, nee Gray.
The SOmerville estates and moneys pass
from my hands, leaving them empty"
with pretty and besesching gesture, she
opened her hands toward him, drawing
them back hastily as he stretched out his
own.
~ am sure you do not care for penniless
bride any more than care To be burden
TO the man may wish TO marry"
Again she held out her hand, with quiet
dignity, saying only the words "Good-bye."
How would he bear the ordeal, she asked
herself. To her intense Joy, his counten-
ance remained unchanged, he betrayed no
disappointment. He was prepared to make
any sacrifice to win her. Clasping his hand
in both his own, he answered her good bye.
''Better SO, my darling; l want you, your
self, not your surroundings. Thank Heaven,
have more than enough for both, and you
shall never miss the luxuries which have
been yours. You shall never regret giving
yourself to me. would rather you owed
something TO me, Isabel" His voice was
earnest aud truthful, and his eyes met hers
with trusting look.
With a happy sigh, she laid her hand
caressingly upon his. shadow crossed
his face as his glance fell upon the wedding
ring encircling her slender finger. II was
but momentary pang. Had she seen It, he
asked himself on his homeward way, as he
lived the happy hour he had passed with
her over and over again. At her earnest en-
treaty, he had reluctantly left her, to return
again in the evening. And she was alone
once more with her new happiness; alone,
but never to feel lonely again.
Face to face with future dawning afresh
from out the dim yet unforgotten past. The
past! As the words rose 10 her lips she
shivered the look of aversion he had cast
upon her wedding ring, the symbol of an :
others love pleaded for this last sacrifice
Had she not given away her heart, had she
not promised her hand Slowly she drew
of the golden token of love placed there by
the hand of a loving husband now dead,
and taking key from chain she always
wore, she opened an ebony and ivory inlaid
cabinet, aud pressing spring, disclosed a
deep drawer behind recess. Kissing the
little ring sadly and pitifully she dropped
II in.
II fell upon sealed letter. She started
nervously as the ghost of the past confronted
her. No need TO read again the we'll -remem
bered superscription: ITO my dear wife, on
the day she accepts another's love, or on hei
thirtisth birthday"
Her hand shakes, the blood flames across
her face and fades away, leaving her, If POS.
sibls, winter than before. Reverently she
breaks the seal.
A message of mighty love has followed
her from beyond the grave. Through haze
of binding tears she reads his wish for hsl
happiness, begging her to accept the sum O
94O, 600 he bequeaths to her, as token O
his love. For further particulars he refer,
her to his solicitors. Unselfsh Hugo! His
love had watched over her in her Loneliness
and ignorance Of the world; and in depriv
ing her Of the golden bait of a fortune he
had tested the disinterestednsss of her lover
Was 1t surprising that pride in that lover
who had borne the test nobly, should mingls
in the tribute of gratitude she paid to hel
husbands memoryf
Paul started, aud deeply moved, ex.
claimed: "How generousl" Then seeing th,
tears in her eyes, he kissed them away. ad
ding: 81 will BIZ as good TO you as he was
las lsuU hass I ,,tL Ia,