Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1888-06-30
HnEnasRD.
BY GUINMvHRM.

yet wholly departed, and In the soft,
gray ether Of approaching twilight, the
GArdena Of Roseland lay like an en-
domain, still and beautiful.
Here and there among the blooming
foliage cleaned y white form, and the
serene features Of marble FlorAs and
Ni0bss looked out upon the scene.
Then footstep sounded. and through
the gates y man came slowly, with his
aazs directed at the mansion before
him.
He was not youth, nor yet arrived
ut an age TO bs termed elderly. he WAS
unusually handsome, with Q dark,
poetic face and the air Of q prince.
81 must speak my mind TO night"
he thought. as he preached the house.
II have fingered here too long already.
Yet when 1 thought to unburden my
heart 10 her, something held me back;
there ba, always been an intangible In.
haenoe In her manner SHAT checked me;
yet l love her, love her rs have
never loved before. and will never love
again. On, Violet, Vio.et; I must know
the trutbi'
A faint color had risen to his cheek,
and bis eyes glistened. He had reached
the Ateps OF the mansion, and as he
mounted, q strange cry doatsd out on
the air, . weird, waiting sound, that
made him shiver involuntarily.
he entered hastily and cav, leaping
up the broad stairs, Q dwarfed form,
that turned when 1t reached the upper
landing, and locked back Mt him.
The face was strangely distorted, and
the eyes cleaned lurldly in the semi
dArknesE. At thst instant Violet Win.
throp appeared, and the form above
vanished.
''Has anything hAppsnee?" asked
Bruce Doug ass, Anxiously, for her
beautiful face was pale. and the laces
on her breast rose aud fell wish her
rapid breathing.
"No, nothing; come In" she an
swered, and they entered the pArlor TO-
"Oh, Mr.. Douglas, 1 knaw 1 could
not keep my secret from you'll" she fal.
seres, but remember never asked
you to come here"
"N0, you did not, Mrs. winthrop"
he answered, puzzled by hsr manner
- much "a her wo-ds. 81 came here
because I found pleasure In your DOM.
papy, because -
81 should never have consented, :"
shs interrupted, q faint color risiug in
her checks. "You saved my life, Mr..
DouelAs. and therefore wss grateful;
yet should have merely thanked you
and let you go your way. But was go
lonely here, ] thought L would find in
you . sympathetic friend"
And so you have-more than q
friend, said Bruce, earnestly. "Violei,
love you'll let me share yoar sorTow-
be my wifel"
He caught her jeweled hands in on
Arde Mt olaep, and ltAned nearer, but
she drew from him with an expi ession
OF horror; her blue eyes darkened, her
lips pAled.
"Mr. Douglas, what are you ray
in92" she asked, boarsaly. "You ask
me to be your wiie-mei oh, you DO
not know-i mover told youl''
mo, you did not tell me, but have
heard Violet. know how you have
sAosittced yourself for the sake of
brother who lost his reRBon-the man /
ust HAw-but love you, my darling,
"6topr'
6he rose and stood te.ore bin, and
never had he seen such misery depicted
on . human oountRnAnos as that upon
the lovely face Of Violet Winthrop.
"Bruce Douglas, that man IL my
husband" she said ia low, intense
tones ~ married him by my parents
wishes, when l was litle more than a
child. He Was dissipAted, and was
mis- rnbie; ther he met with the acci-
dent bhAt deformed his body and wreck.
% his mind. For three years have
concealed my secret sorrow from the
syes OF the world. You love me, you
'Ay. What right have you to Utter
tnuce words? Have 1 ever eiveu you
\ word or look that your wife, II you
bad one, could not give another? On,
II had dreamed of thisi"
You are not to blame, Vi-Mrs.
he answered, humbly, "My
love has NJ ade ms presumptu us. For
get what have said"
"Yee, / have been 90 blame that
Sver resolved youi 1t hSs taught me q
et,o !" she said, ooldly. "Let Us part
now-iorever
He rose, and with one glance into
ber cold, calm face. went out into the
gathering darknesP, feeling as If his
whole life was wrecked.
As he passed through the gates and
track into the path that led by the
'liffs to the village, an uneasy feeling
'4ms upon him. He turned once and
law something that seemed more sub.
'InntlAl than shAdow few PAGES DO.
hind him, but when he spoke NO one
him.
Yet behind him was creeping dwarf.
ID figure, with . dark, demoniacAl face,
Iad something that glittered in his
,linohed hAnGs.
Bruce Douglas went on unconscious
> but as he reached the oliffs he paused
.nd looked out over the water. A pre-.
nonition OF coming evil hung over hun.
Nearer came that bent form, stepping
lightly, yet keeping his baleful glance
iIei ON the unsuspecting man.
He leaped forward suddenly, with his |
Weapon raised 20 strike him down, but |
i that Instant q womAn's shrill CRY |
anE ont, and Bruce, startled, wheeled
bout.
JuSt In tmel His assaIlant jostled
lin roughly, but that side step saved |
lis lifG; and, carried by the force OF his
wn attack, the dsformed maniac was
urlei over the edge OF the diff.
Hts weird Org cleft the mir rs Violet
rushed upon ths soene. She
Tanned Bruos's baod emotionally.
you aie savsd" she cried, In tones
lat we're revelation to him. He thea
new bat she loved him,
AT the loot of the cliffs lay a quiet,
nddled form 10 whom Death had msr
'fally oomr. AVID after oil her years
{ s0now. Violet Winthrop found her
slesse at last.