Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-14
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Her Wedding Ring;
MARGARET LEsL1E's SECOND LOVE.
or,

MARGARET LEsLIE's SECOND LOVE.
Her husband was dead.
He had died gambler, but he would
never win or lose again, and never more
would Margaret keep her lonely watch for
his dear sake. Strangers hands had laid
him to rest in the quiet graveyard; and
now, with fearless agony, Margaret knelt
beside her sleeping child.
They had nothing left; and without food
her child must die.
| Suddenly burning flush mounted to her
brow, and, starting to her feet, she drew
the wedding ring from her wasted finger,
and kissing it passionately, hurried from the
room, as if fearful that her resolution might
give way.
A little later, with few francs clasped
in her burning hand, she hastened, not to
the poor room she called her home, but to
the gaming saloon where her husband had
died not many days before.
herself, "that new player always wins ?
Then I shall win land, muttering the
same words again and again, she passed
unchallenged through the wide-open door,
up the splendid staircase and into large
saloon where men and women in silent
terrible earnest, were gambling at the
tables.
Margaret staked two or three francs
with feverish haste.
The American officer, Captain Corwyn,
who had witnessed her husbands death,
now stood intently regarding her. He
moved restlessly, as if inpelled against his
will to interfere.
Unknown to herself and all around, fever
had taken hold of the weakened frame and
lent fictitious strength and fictitious cour-
Oa IN tho riu rr,r II nj ,u;f
ing recklessness she staked and won, until
small pile of gold lay before her dazed eyes.
Then the tension of the nerves gave way,
and with low cry she fell forward in
dead faint.
Springing to her side without moments
delay, Capt. Corwyn, who had been anxi-
ously watching all that occurred, lifted the
poor girl in his arms and carried her out of
the sitting atmosphere of the saloon. fol-
lowed by young medical student to whom
he had been talking.
Finding their efforts to restore her to
consciousness unavailing, Corwyn said hur-
riedly to his companion:
"Bring her down to my carriage-it is
waiting. My sister will do what we can
not" Then, once outside, he called to the
coachman, "To the Hotel Dieu, and drive
quickly"
Again girl was leaning from an open
easement. She wore gown of soft gray
material that fell in clingihg folds round
her slight form, aud her hair cut quite
short, covered her small head in slken
curls. The scene upon which she was gaz-
| ing was peaceful enough. 1t was the rose
garden of the fine old manor-house in bend
of the Hudson and child was playing
among the flowers.
Two years have passed since Margaret
Leslie was brought there, and Capt. Cor
wyn's widowed sister was her friend. At
first the Captain came often, but suddenly
he had departed. On this day he was re-
turning to his sisters home after two years.
Margaret bad not guessed that be had gone
because he had loved her to well.
Now her heart was beating wildly as she
tried vainly 10 assume calmness she could
not feel, soft rose-tint deepened on her
cheeks and the love-light stole into her ten
der eyes.
| Just then some one entered the rose-gsr-
den, and the child, his little hands full of
| flowers, looked wonderingiy, and then ran
boldly up to the intruder.
| care you my own papa come back from
the frontier ?" he asked and the words
reached Margaret, and she could not see to
whom they were addressed.
The answer, however, filled her soul with
dismay, for the intruder catching the child
in his arms, was evidently approaching and
mans voice said mendaciously
"Yes, my darling, am your own papa,
come back from the frontier p' And then,
with few whispered words, they passed
along the lawn where Margaret was.
She had dropped on her knees and did
not see them.
| The child's footsteps drifted away from
the door, but a strong hand grasped the
handle. A frank, imperious voice uttered
her name.
Margaret, have pledged myaelfl
could not help it, the temptation was 80
great. Will you save me?"
"How can 1 save you ?" faltered Marga-
ret, trembling.
'By helping me redeem my pledge. 1
cannot face Harry without my wife,"
'Your wife !" cried Margaret. Chow
long have found you needed one ?''
''Since the day carried you out of Monte
Carlo" he said. '.My darling, have loved
you ever SINCE"
And little Harry found that tender
father had indeed come to him from the
| frontier.