Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-06-25

are missed, Mrs. Sherwin; thought it
was shame you should bury yourself
in this out-of-the-way place, but-now
j cease to wonder. A Darby and Joan
existence here, is 1t notY"
The light laugh that followed was
almost insolent, and Magdaline flushed
slightly and looked quickly at her hus-
band.
sit is pleasanter here than one
would think" she said quietly. "The
neighbors are very social, but, indeed,
have little time for social duties"
"Ah, you have become hearth
stone fairy"
His light blue eyes shot meaning
glance at Kent Sherwin, half amused,
half scorniul.
The latter moved uneasily in his
chair and leaned slightly forward, but
if retort was intended, 1t was checked
by the voice of Ellis, putting forth a
query ON a widely dssimilar subject.
The day passed and the gloom of
evening descended upon the cottage.
Kent and Ellis had gone out in the
garden for quiet smoke, and in the
parlor, filled with twilight shadows,
Magdaline entertained their other visi-
| tor.
A step sounded in the hall without,
but neither heard, and the man who
paused in the doorway looked in, him
self unseen.
| His attention was riveted by the first
few words that came from the lips OF
Selwyn May:
"This is not the life l would have
chosen for you, Madaline. Have you
never regretted the old days."
Her answer was so low that it was
not heard by the man across the
threshold, but he saw her companion
lean nearer and clasp her hand in hi:
Town.
"Forgive me, but l love you still
M6daline! l would devote my life t
you. If you would but trust yoursel
to me, l would prove the supremacy o
my love over the weak affection of hin
who came between u.s."
Kent Sherwin turned and crep
iaway with his white lips set and hi
,oyes blazing. All the evil passion
: within him was aroused, all the resent
ment and hatred be had cherished TO
this man leaped into sudden life.
He went to his room above will
light, swift steps, and took from til,
bureau drawer small, dark object
upon which there was the CLEAN o
metal.
With steady hand he struck a mattel
upon the wall, and by the tiny blaz
5 that fared for one instant upon tn
gathering darkness quickly surveye
the weapon he held; then, with tina
! tense, awful look still on his face, h
went out and crept down the stall
!, again.
One moment he paused in the hal
9 way long enough to sect his vii
crouching at the feet of her companio
land hear her voice in sobbing accents
c "Oh, | am so miserable; you cannC
r know what l have endured. If it wei
not for you"
The dark figure stopped and folde
y his arms around the girlish form, an
e she, clinging closer, wept softly,
They stood before the window, GU
h lined against the faint light OF the out
e world like pale silhouettes
e The next instant there sounded
n cry like that OF an enraged animal, Il
report of Il deadly weapon, and as Il
man before Madeline fell at her fec
n her husband rushed in and grasped h
at arm with his left hand, the other ST
in HOLDING the smoking revolver.
1t "Behold your work, womanm
Missed into her ear. "Go now to yo
ii lover, and"
l. "Kent, husband, for Gods sake
m she cried, wildly, "what have "
1done?" 1t is Elis--you have killed II
" brother !" He stood like one turned
n stone. while she lit the lamp and Il
soft, yellow rays fell across the prc
he trate form of his victim, with his II
c. turned face like that of the dead.
Madeline came to his side, took Il
revolver from his hand, and forced hi
ID back ward into chair; the look on l
~ face frightened her.
+, "Where is he?-the bullet w
10 meant for him" he muttered. 81
Il. was trying 10 win you from MEAL
| hated him "
.e Madaline was on her knees then b
I'd fore her brother. He was not dea
and Kent Sherwn was saved.
wi During the days that followed, viii
iii Ellis rapidly recovered from his Woul
H. Madaline's husband learned the who
story, how Selwyn May had played
lis traitors part, and endeavored 10 lu
st the girl he had loved from her dut
a but she, shocked and hurt, repuls
him and commanded him to leave Il
he home of the man he would I'M ure a
tn the woman he insulted.
Ellis had come in then, and TO hi
he she rapidly told her story, telling, tc
lie of her husbands unjust sus2icions,a al
er the unhappiness he caused her, for 9
re had always been loving, faithful a
content.
Nv To Kent Sherwin it was a sevt
an lesson, and in the future, as if to alto
for the past, he was the best and fol
oil est of husbands.