St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-06
STRONGER THAN DEATH.

1t was indeed sad homecoming for
Major st Clare. Some months ago he
had married, while on vacation tour,
q beautiful Italian girl, much against
the wishes of his family. He had
brought his wife home to the Cedars and
had tried in vain to interest his relatives
in her, but she was treated only with
cold kindness. They resented the fact
that she was not English-born like them
selves, and limited over and over again to
Eric st. Glare that she would make him
unhappy.
He knew that in her, own country she
had left lover behind, and the thought
gave him many jealous pang, for it
was plain she often was hOmeSick for
Italy. He had just heard on his return
from friendly Scandal-monger that his
wife had been seen in company with
this same lover the night before, and he
wondered why she had said nothing to
him about Pierre's coming in her
letters.
He had reached the top of the drive
now, and stood for a moment looking at
the house all ablaze with light and cheer
full welcome. He heaved great sigh of
relief, and turned for moment to view
the familiar landscape, before entering
his home. All! and away through the
break in the shrubs there he caught the
CLEAN of light-cOlored dress, or was il
only splash of moonlight?
Mechanically he moved to a better
point of view. Yes, it was a dress, a
woman's dress, and beside the figure it.
clothed a man was standing, and that
man was Pierre!
The recognition, the whole scene,
seemed like the realization of some hOr-
rible nightmare.
Pierre had taken EStelle's hand now,
for he was about to bid her gOod-by,
telling her how it was best he should go,
lest he should not be able to bear the
sight of her husbands all-Sufficing love.
AS Eric watched them, great drops of
perspiration gathered on his brow.
He moved little out of the shadow
that had concealed him, and Pierre's
quick eyes were attracted by the move
ment.
''See, Estelle, there is your husband,
L will not spoil your meeting" he said
eXcitedly.
And he darted in among the tall, dark
shrubs.
Estelle turned with a glad cry of well
come, letting the shawl that had shell
tered her thinly-clad shoulders fall I'M
needed to the ground.
But was this Eric, her husband adj
vancing toward her with face so pitt
lessly cold aud stern?
For a moment her heart stood still
with underlined dread. Then she Sprang
forward with a rush Of relief.
''Eric!' she cried, reproachfully,
stretching out her hands towards him
Eric, you have been lip"
And you?" he asked with a harsh
laugh SIS it then true that you have
been false to me? Where is your cow
ardIy companion? Good God! think
could find it in my heart to kill him here
where he stood beside YOU'D
Estelle Shuddered, but no words fell
from between her white, parched lips,
and her silence but added to her hus-
bands jealous passion.
''Are you too guilty even to speak,
woman?" he asked, laying his hand
roughly on her shoulder.
She had nothing to say to such greet
ings from her husband.
Like some dumb-stricken animal she
turned to pick up the shawl lying be-
side her.
All, me!
And she saw through the bushes be-
yond the CLEAN of two fierce dark eyes,
a white hand and the barrel of pointed
pistol that glittered like steel in the
silvery moonlight.
''Eric'' she cried, planting herself
before him, and pushing him suddenly
aside.
All! 1t was a loving. heart-wrung cry;
and close on its silence followed a
bright flash, loud report, and with his
dear name last on her lips, the faithful,
loving wife sank pOwerleSS and wounded
at her husbands feet.
Pierre had missed his mark, but
shortly after the occurrence he was
found dead.
''Died from long-standing heart dis
ease. aggravated by severe mental
shock" was the Doctors verdict.
Estelle die not die, though it was long
before her system fully recovered the
shock and strain it had undergone.
The agony of suspense and remorse
suffered by Eric turned his grizzled hair
nearly white.
Estelle is never tired caressing those
silvered locks, and the proud happy
light in his eyes is treat to see, as Eric
says with Teverent. passionate love,
Stronger than death! All, my dar-
ling! what have | done to deserve such
love?"
And her only answer is q LiSSf