Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-05-25
A BITTER ORDEAL
BY Nj. K. HOLAHAE.

where some day shall enter, and leave,
never to "walk alone" again-tbe wife
OF DepZil Harvey, whose betrothed wife
1 already am.
1 steal side glance at his face-so
full of power, culture and grand
sire lRth. L nestle even closer to his
side, and the harmony of the organ
swells on the air.
"Look up, Harvey" whispers brother
Jack, with own eyes devoutly down
cast. Another new orgnnist- di.
| vinity. The fourth in month. Ex-
| travaganti"
Although not exhorted to do go, lift
my eyes discreetly until they rest on
the choir, then single out the form and
lace of the new organist.
Her face Is fair tinted as q sea shell
aud rounded in soft, child like cnrves
of cheek and neck and chin; the nose is
very small and slightly, daintily Tip
tilted" while her mouth Is the sweetest,
most perfect L have ever seen, although
there Is pathetic droep at the corners,
| l think.
Even while / am gazing her eyes
meet mine, and I zee then that they are
| In perfect harmony with her mouth SO
large, dark, unspeakably beautiful, and
| full of deep, thoughtful sadness o
| glorious contrast TO the pale-gold ring
let's that droop beneath the edge of her
cape hat In shining tepdrils.
Carelessly her eyes rest on my face, as
carelessly the pass and rest on Denzil's,
and 1 see sudden change In their
great, lustrous splendor. What 1t is
cannot explain-perhaps mingled pain,
passion, regret and rtproach.
There Is q momentary crash of the
organ, q lull, then the music goes on as
before, only that the brown eyes are not
raised again while the service lasts.
When l again dare TO look in Denzil'e
face, we are seated in the carriage on
the road home. That to day Is not the
first time he has seen the organist l am
sure, for to his face also has come GER
tain change, deepening the lines and
hardening the stern, powerful eyes.
Pretty young for q widow, isn't she,
that ORGANISM" Jack says suddenly
while we are seated at dinner. "But
she is q wido w-the Reverend Philips
told me so-named Mrs La Rue. She
is stopping at the rectory, and they are
to have musicale Thursday night, in
which they wish us to take part. viii
you, Ciartce? or course Harvey will.
He's right to home In snch things"
tempt my lifelong happiness; but a
feeling of unr: 81, OF wonder, of hurt
pfiGe, is in my heart.
must see them together, must read
sumo atom of the truth in their faces
again; 80 | answer 8 gay affirmative,
all the time watching DsnziPs face,
bat beyond that added sternness it
gives no sign Of emotion.
| la lanhtpof mi a nj ANA u.ld rnFtah tnn.
ers we are asked 10 come early, there
fore stand alone beside DenZil when
we are formally presented TO Mrs. La
Rue.
II ever there has been anything be
tween these two, they have schooled
their feelings well, for neither the ex
qulsite, hower-like face of the woman
nor the stern, naughty one of Denzi
expresses more than common courtesy
tell myself that It was fancy, that
will not make myself miserable b.
doubt ard fears. What il they havt
met before? But then, If they have
why should not Denzil acknowledge it
] Why should they meet and pass a
} strangers?
) For all my wild unrest, the evening
/, passes pleasantly enough, aud 1 hav'
seen no cause to fear or complain,
only my jealous heart would hush 1t
: mad throbbing suspicion.
Mrs. La Rue is an accomplished mu
. stefan, playing on the piano, harp, vic
lin and guitar with almost equal skill
1t seems odd to think of this woman
with the sweet, flower.like face and un
assuming, tender grace Of figure an
manner as having been married at all
4 She must have loved her husban
VI IL awtr
J could write such unutterable sadness !
I her face She cannot be more tina
twenty-one."
"Won't you sing, Mrs. La Rue?"
ask presently.
L should like to near her voice /
song. think could judge her bette
whether the object OF hsr love wa
,. living or dead.
1. ''I never sing any more," she say
:, with q slow smile. II think my voic
}, | would break and die away II l attemp
T. ed 1t. love vocal music, and-w0n
you sting, Miss Reinalt?"
/ sing as requested, and the wonder
that l do not break down myself, f
when look at Denzil I find his ey
fixed ON Mrs. La Rue's face with sue
~ passionate, despairing intensity tai
" with great difficulty suppress cry
y pain.
70 For In that look is disclosed em otto
" of such intense depth and power I
,v never have been able to call forth.
~ In that look is his nature revealed
ID not calmly, coldly tender, as have a
II, ways known him-but capable of j
or or pain to the very extreme OF mac
y ness.
y. Whatever Laurie La Rue has been
Z him know not l only know that II
ie, own heart is on fire with doubt, tortu
AZ and fear.
ISL Alb, Heaven what is this cloud viii
lies between US, pressing 80 heavily
my heart? Why is it that l, who 10
him 80 we'll, have not power to break
any way the calm. courteous self-posst
=, sion of his nature?
y. want to scream OUT in my ma
yearning pain; want to use some de
IL nerate extreme, lest should 60 ma
but, even as society people general
do. give no outward sign until
nj in INV own room-the door locked
hind me.
nc Then i sink-crushed with hopel'
m. apathy-on the floor besidethe windo
sill, and hide my face upon my arms
l.se TRY TO picture my future as It "
be-hopeless In any case, for II maj
ne Denzil Harvey I shall do 30 with
full conviction that his heart Dolot