The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-07-07
RELEASED.
by RTINEvERE.

light the gardens of Roseland lay
like an enchanted domain, still and
beautiful.
Here and there among the bloom
ing foliage cleaned white form,
and the serene features of marble
Floras and Nicobes looked out upon
the scene.
Then II footstep sounded, and
through the gates man came slow
ly, with his gaze directed at the
mansion before him.
He WAS not u youth, nor yet ar
rived ut an ugrto he termed elderly.
He was unusually handsome, with
a dark, poetic face and the air of a
prince.
a must speak my mind tonight"
he thought, as he approached the
hou.e. 81 have fingered here too
long already. Yet when | thought
10 unburtlcn my heart to her, some
thing held me back there has al
been intangible influence in her
manner that checked me; yet ! love
her, love her MS | have never loved
before, and will never love again.
Oh, Violet, Violet; | must know the
truth =
A faint color had risen to his
cheek, and his eyes glistened. He
had reached the steps Of the man
sion, and as he mounted, strange
cry floated out on the air, weird,
wailing sound, that made him
shiver involuntarily.
lie entered hastily and saw, leap
ing up the broad stairs, a dwarfed
form, that turned when it reached
the upper landing, and looked back
at him.
The face was strangely distorted,
and the eyes cleaned luridly in the
semi-darkness. At that instant
Violet Winthrop appeared, and this
form above vanished.
alas anything happened ?" asked
Bruce Douglass! anxiously, for her
beautiful face was pale and the laces
on her breast rose and fell with her
rapid breathing.
mo, nothing; come in" she an
swered, and they entered the par
lor together.
"Oh, Mr. Douglas. | knew | could
not keep my secret from you !" she
flltered, "but remember | never
asked you TO come here"
"No, you did not, Mrs. Winthrop
he answered, puzzled by her manner
as much as her words. II came
here because / found pleasure in
your company, because l."
81 should never have consented,
she interrupted, a faint color rising
in her cheeks. "You saved my life
Mr.. Douglas, and therefore | was
grateful yet l should have thanked
you and let you go your way. But |
was so lonely here, | thought
would find in you a sympathetic
friend
"And so you have-more than d
friend" said Bruce, earnestly. "Ni'
olet, love you let me share youI
sorrow-be my wifep
He caught her jeweled hands il
. an ardant clasp, and leaned nearer
but she drew from him with an ex
> preston of horror; her blue eyes
darkened, her lips paled.
"NIr. Douglas, what are you say
ing ?" she asked, horsely. "You ash
me TO be your wife-me ! Oh, you
, do not know I nevor told you y
, "No, you did not tell me, but
5 have heard. Violet, l know yor
have sacrificed yourself for the sak'
ola brother who lost his reason
the man / saw-but I love you
| my darling, and"
"Stop y
q She rose and stood before him
and never had he seen such misery
depicted on human countenanc,
as that upon the lovely face of Vic
let Winthrop.
/ "Bruce Douglas, that man is m!
A husband she said in low, intense
tones 81 married him by my pa
rents wishes, when | was little NOR
than Il child. lie was dissi pated
and | was miserable; then he me
e with the accident that defOrmed hi
: body and wrecked his mind. Fo
e three years have concealed my Sc
cret sorrow from the eyes Of th'
, world. You love me, you say. Wha
right have you to utter those words
Have | ever given you a word or
@ look that your wife, ifyou had one
: could not give another? ? Oh, if ha
:. dreamed of this !"
= "You are not to blame, Ni-Mr.
= Winthrop" he answered, humbly
~ MI. L.. L.. 49,. j. 49, ............. =.