The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-02-18
Then came the messenger of hope

just these words:
'John, want you. Grace"
On the afternoon of cold, dreamy
autumn day l was with her. She came
up to me timidly, and putting her
hand in mine, said: ''John, l have
thought of you constantly since you
left my side, and you had not been
gone day ere would have recalled
you. l can not give you the passion
ate love l felt once in the past, and yet
l think | can give you an esteem now
which can not fail of growing into
love-"
I was happy then,
In the autumn of the next year we
were married, and l trembled at my
own happiness. Grace, too, was bright
and cheerful, and accepted my love
with a quiet satisfaction that contented
me, though my heart yearned to have
her return it as eagerly as it was
given.
The happy years glided swiftly
away, and Grace was my idol, my
light, my constant care and only
thought At this time speculation in
which had embarked took me much
away from home, and when I came
back to my darling, fool that was, 1
did not note, in my eagerness to greet
her. the look of terror in her wondrous
eyes at my caress.
On my return home one evening,
from an absence of several days,
looked for Grace at the doorway, where
she never failed of meeting me; and
missing her, l mounted hastily to my
room, and with dread foreboding of
evil, hastily tore open the envelope on
my table:
Once more at my bidding you must suffer
bitterly. Why was I selected to inf1ict suffer-
ing on the man who loves me so tenderly?
John Darcy, 1 can be your wife no longer.
God pity us both, for no earthly compassion
stronger love has come between you and
me. Knowing this, then, in Justice to you
sd and myself @ We must live no longer under the
think of me only as dead. GRACE"
This was her letter. My head swan
dizzily for moment, and, with cry
of anguish, fell to the floor.
Six weeks passed, and l was slowly
recovering from a brain fever. Heaven
was not merciful enough to take the
life l despised. Rising at last from
bed, wandered for five years to find
my wife and wreak my vengeance on
the man who came between me and
the woman l held dearer than nv
hearts blood. Vain and fruitless the
search.
Ten years ago, and still the agony
RACES in my heart, and still this frame
withstands the throes l pray daily to
release my soul from its bondage.
sit beside my desolate hearthstone.
amid the ruins of a broken life and
heart, and my spirit cries out, How
long, o my God, how long?"
Now that have seen her dear face
her lips the story of the years gone
past, I am content.
Once again, after the years of suffer-
ing, there has come to me another
message out of the past.
John, want you. Grace"
Once more obeyed the summons.
I went to her, and heard her sob out
on my breast the words which brought
me again into the world of life and
light.
John. l was fascinated by that man;
he held me by some power as complete
and subtle as that of snake over a
bird. When you came home to me
the first time your kiss broke for a
moment the spell; and when l gazed
into my heart I was terrified to find
his image where thought to find my
husbands. / knew that if I were to
let you go from me again. and leave
me in his power, the result could be
only crime, and 1 fled, fled from you,
from him and from myself For all
these long years l have never seen
your face or his. Time has tried my
heart as a retiner's fire; the dross is
gone, and the precious metal is left.
His image I have forgotten. but my
soul cried out for my husband; l knew
then l loved him better than any man
on earth"
was content. sat by her side and
held her close to me in quiet soul COM
munion, until the glories of the day de-
parted; and as the vivid hues deepened
and faded in the sky the darkness was
illumined by light more glorious than
of earth; and as the moon kissed her
still, fair brow, she whispered. Come
nearer, John; say you are content. Kiss
me once more. Love is immortal; eter-
nifty can not part us. John, come to
me there"
AS 1 gaze out upon the grave in the
churchyard, my heart knows no bitter
ness. 1t can not be long, and when
through the dark waters he calls me to
go, my soul will rejoice. for on the
other side 1 hear my darling's voice.
And there shall be no parting there
N. 7. World.