The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-05-30
LlONNE'S REVENGE.
ATRAoIc ROMANCE oFrHELAsr
CENTURY.
CHAPTER XVI.

How many henrts brenk, yet "broksnly
live on" from youth to age, only the Omnis-
Gent knows.
The loss of both her children, and the dis.
covery OF her husbands unworthiness, had
broken tho heart Of Adelaide Devile, past all
| earthly possibility Of cure. Love could do
nothing-nlas! for her 1t was q poisoned
fountain.
1t was pnrt OF Orville Devillc's retribution
that year by year he was destined to dote
upon Ills beautiful wife with an over.increas.
ing passion, and to feel that his devotion
was all powerless 10 bring bnck to her-lort
| faith and hope md joy in him. Ali it
10 hard to crush II human heart. but once
crushed no power on earth can cure it. 1t is
almost impossible to estrange n woman's
love; but once estranged it is forever impos.
sible to rccoverit.
Think of this all you who valuo, yet madly
trife with affection.
Adelaide's heart was not. indeed. estranged
from her husband, hut it was changed. Once
SHE loved in pride and joy. She still loved. but
in humiliation and sorrow. His demonstra.
lions OF affection, once greeted in confidence
conjunction. Another. she feared, had
holier claim to that very love
Lionne. the Wronged was not dead!
ILonne, the Destroyer. had burst the strong
bonds OF the grave, ind livel
How she had escaped the tomb, or where
she lived WINS unknown. In whatimpenetra-
BILE regions Of darkness, solitude. and silence
she made her fearful lair. was still n mystery
When she might aguin sally forth with iler
pestilentinl breath. breathing mnlediction
and destruction upon her Unrest hopes,
could not be forseen But she lived-the
DIN rE HhadOw tlo np 1,oriI tho
able late of their lives. A living grief, and
| gloom, and terror, never for n day to be for.
| gotten.
One member OF the household only seemed
happy, the little Pcr,iita.
| She grew in health, strength, and beauty
every year-the Overlooking joyousness of
/, her nature making sunshine in that shady
| place"
| But oh, as every successive year exhibited
more plainly her growing likeness to that
and terror Of their lives, Lady Adelaide gnzed
| with awe and dread, mingled with her love
for that enchanting child, who ever repaid
the lady's affection with perfect passion of
devotion. But il Per,iita loved her adopted
mother with the utmost intensity Of human
wild worship which slo lavjslcJ upon her
father. 1t wna more like the extrayagnRt
idolatry offered by the pythoness to the God
OF her inspiration. than affection of mortal
child for mortal parent. Lady Adelaide
watched tho development of this torrid tenn
permanent, and drrnded hcriuture. and prayed
for her good. Alns! in these fiery, fierce vol
canic passions mud affections the child also
too closely reHemble1 her fearful prot otype.
All that n Christian mothers watchful care
could do. all that prayer. counsel. and ex-
ample could do. was constantly essnyed to
train this dangerous temperament. ii
was when Perdita was about eight years af
| ago that Mr.. Deville received n cummunica-
ton from legal firm of high standing in
Edinburgh announcing the met that he had
been appointed sole guardian of the person
and property of his near relative, young
branch OF tho Lornes o. Glen-IennHTk.
| In consideration oil he importance of this
trust. MIR. Dcviile lost no time in Fastening
to Edinburgh, whore he found young l.orne,
firm. tall, dark haired, and dark eyed
youth OF fifteen, living with IN old retired
| Clergyman, under whose instructions he was
making rapid jL2gress in his classical and
mathematical studies: much to the regret of
the master. who hated tc pact with his pupil,
the newly appointed guarding deterinined to
take his wnrd to his own house in London,
And the youth himself though somewhat
eorrowful at the thought OF parting with the
old man, desired nothing moro than such
| change of scene.
Finally, us the old clergyman WINS n widow
or, wi:d,out children or other family ties, Mr..
DeNliIe, uites some hesltutiOIi, satlsIeu All
parties by proposing to the old man to ne.
company them to London MS the private tu-
tor OF his ward. THIS propcsa, was gladly
accepted. The Doctor went with ihe12 to
town. mud ti,encetorward made a part Of .She
family. in the cnpasity of private tutor TO
Master Donald and Miss Perditn.
No other children blessed the weddcd lives
of s:r. and Lady Adelaide Derille. Lady Al.
elaide ;oted herself to her ion duties
10 herhusbnnG, her household her friends and
p&ghhors, and toun,.. her comfort in prayer,
rending, meditation, wor:.. and in active
deeds of nseinlness and benevolenGas. And if
less brightly beautiful apd less admired tn:s
loved than ever.
Mr.. Deville divided hia time between iitera-
ture, the politics Of the day, and the social
pleasures Of the town, etc. Yet all these
things were poxerless to Danish the thoughts
that tryublel his soul-remorse for the sin OF
his youth; grief iOr the loss OF his children;
modification for the fpr cited esteem OF his
wife: tantilizing tempt ation to grasp the
titles and the estates which he might, yet
dared not, claim; vague dread OF continued
retribution-thesa were the sorrows that sto.e
all jest from enjoyment. If my friend or ac-
qunintnncs. CHANGED to express in his hearing
any wonder that Mr.. Deville should not pos
sess the title and Estates of his deceased
uncle he merely answered that there was q
nearer claimant, and there let the matter
rest.
And thus, without marked incident, tile
years flowed on, until by time and circum.
stances, all these feelings becnme modified,
his heart grew hardened his late remOrse
for the ain o! his youth had not. aims. melted
to that repentance which IN not to be repent.
ed Of" grief for the loss of his children fell
hack into n dim md distant regret; the for.
fixture OF his wite's respect, so long az she
showed him outward observance, no longer
troubled him; and regret for his lost inherit
ance had given place to the desire of achieve.
lug personal greatness"
Politics was the chosen path of his ambi-
ton. And to be man of his high rank,
ample fortune, splendid talents and not |
scrupulons honor. that path was sure to
lead to prelerment. lie Ras elected to the
House of Commons ais mniden speech was |
snid to be perfect. His judicous efforts were
said to have carried u measure that had |
for several successive sessions, been lyinglik |
an incubus upon the house.
To be made Speaker OF the House WINS now
his great object. Tint seat obtained might
serve az o stepping stone to n still higher
dignity.
schemes in London, Lady Adelaide, who loved
retirement, had remained in her country
home Mt Richmond, q governing her household,
her neighbors, and disrrnsng
her charities. But at the next meeting OF
parhiament. when the question Of eectng
CIeiT bEe1ker wis cSI'ectRu TO arise, Dir. DO.
vile sent for his wife; for he we'll knew how
great would be the silent. unrecognized, un.
conscious influence OF this beautiful and gift.
ed woman. even in political circles, and upon
his own political success.
Ever obedent to his slightest WISH she lie
her loved retirement and came up to the city,
though "innocont of the cause" of her sum.
mons.
Mr. Deville, with the assistance of Lady
Adelaide. commenced q series of entertain
ments. The result answered his ex pectntions.