The Penn's Grove record., 1888-03-31
AT the Eleventh Hour; or, A woman's
Honor.

Inez Csmbell married Gale Munroe
in a fit Of pique, because she had
qusrrelled with the man whom she
loved better than life. King Bllrdo
had been her ideal since Chi !dhood, but
they had spoken bitter words to each
other one night and parted. In a
month from that time she was married
while the man she had really loved
%iourneyed to aforeign land to find some
Lethe for memory.
They had met at a ball one night and
there the mistake that had separated
them was explained. Gale Munroe saw
tears on his wife's cheek as he helped
her into the carriage, and whether lie
suspected anything or not, Mrs. Mum
roe went to no more festivities.
One night King Burdo stole into the
husbands grounds to bid his lost love
a farewell forever. He saw her in the
distance coming through the trees to
meet him.
Her dress was white, but whittier her
beautiful face as she advanced with Ian
guild step through the sunset.
The Old love, augmented by pity,
rushed over him like a wave. He for
got that she was another's-that by her
W act they were parted forever.
With a low cry Ut pain he started
forward flung himself on his knees at
her feet.
''Inez, Inez, lay love, you are dyingi"
he burst out, as she, with a start and
an i~narticulate cry, put Out both hauds
and chung to his. you have suffered
since | saw you last; You are like
DEATH"
She looked down at him with eyes of
worthless misery, but misery that had
chilled her life.
81 am going mad, l think she said
slowly; and she drew her hands from
his and put n to her bosom. one to
her brow. Another month of this
life am leading. and either heart or
brain will give way. Why have you
come here? You cannot aid me. To-
day he struck me; | am used to curses,
but not yet to Slows. Lookp"
She pushed up her loose sleeve and
showed him a long dark bruise Oh her
arm from elbow to shoulder.
His head fell forward, his teeth set
hard. This was the woman he loved
who, but for a foolish quarrel, would
have been his wife.
In the flush Of the sunset, in the
sweetness of the dying day, he strug-
gled with temptation, but only for a
moment.
Lifting his face, which was colorless
as her own, and raising to his feet, he
bent toward her.
"Inez, you were pledged to me; you
love me still; l have never ceased to
love you. When l came here 1t was
to bid. you farewell, but 1 cannot go
alone. You must 60 with me-"
She was frightened at the thought of
such a thing, but aftdr an hours
pleading she had consented TO gol
The next evening a carriage contain
ing King BurdO and Gale Munroe's
wife was speeding on towards the sta
ton, ten miles away. They had not
gone very far when one OF the springs
OF the carriage gave out, and they were
compelled to stop at the village smlthy
to have it fixed, IneZ sat down on the
porch of a little cottage to wait while
the work was being accomplished.
From where she sat sine could look into
the main room Of the little house,
where a sweet domestic scene met her
view.
The woman was no longer young,
but SHE had a sweet, motherly face, In
her arms she held a child, while two
little white.robed figures lisped out
their evening prayers at her knee.
LEAD us not into temptation"
came the words, and Inez, thinking of
her guilty life, sobbed and covered her
face. At that moment King laid his
hand on her arm.
Come" he said. "We are still in
time"
SD stood up white as death, but no
longer weak and tempted.
Eyes, there is time. You shall take
me, not to the train, but back home.
II you are at all for me you will nol
say a word, but take me blackjack
home"
He knew 1t would be useless to say
anything, and he drove back silently
to the home she would have left for
ever. where they parted.
In pity for her pain God struck off
her letters, for when the morning came
Gall Munros was found dead IN his
bed. Inez Is now the wife of the man
she loved, but she never looks back on
that ride without a shudder.