The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-04

HOW could Sno tell her husband that
this man was his rivalP So Mark
brought temptation into his wife's life.
Hugh Whittfll was not a villain in
the usual sense of the word. He had
admired Elizabeth Gilman, but could
not afford to love, much less marry, a
poor girl. She had not hidden her
liking for him. He was not above
flirting; there would be no danger to
himself now-she was married
woman.
Mark treated Whittil1 cordially, in
viting him often to drive and dine
with them. Elizabeth observed toward
him cool politeness.
This course of conduct caused Hugh
Whittill to think that he had loved her
very desperately in the past, after all,
and loved her still.
One evening the three were at the
Cliff house. Mark went to order some
refreshment; Elizabeth stood on the
end of one of the long galleries, watch
ing the waves.
The crowd had dispersed, the last
car had departed, she believed herself
to be alone.
How grand the ocean looked! So
endless! 1t reminded her of one thing
Marks love for herself. She re-
membered the poem on her photo
graph:
When love is strong
1t never tarries toltalze heed.
"a beautiful thought" said Hugh
Whittill, who had approached unob-
served. "You were thinking that this
great endless-looking ocean is like
strong love-"
Elizabeth's heart beat violently.
Her cheek flushed deeply. Hugh no.
ticed this and went on, eagerly:
"And it is, Elizabeth-like mine for
you! Why did you not wait for meP
Why did you not know that 1 loved
you?"
The next moment was like a year to
Elizabeth. This man had occupied
her heart for the last six years; she
had believed he would occupy it for
ever; for his sake she had put aside
her husbands noble affection that
spent itself so generously upon her
taking nothing, giving all.
After all this weary time of craving
what she had wanted might be hers
under altered conditions, and could it
be that she did not care because
morally it was out of her reach.
u,
prayer of thanksgiving burst from
her soul. She knew what it meant
she loved her husband!
Her heart grew lighter at each
breath. She felt like laughing in her
delight. She turned to Hugh Whit
till
"I was thinking of my husband, I"
she said. "His love for me is like that
ocean-only wider and deeper. And
mine for him is like it too-thank
God!"
When Mark returned she went to his
side and took his arm and he won-
dered what had made her so glad.
That night, when they reached their
sitting-room, Elizabeth went to him.
mark" she said, Il have something
to tell you. VIII you help me?"
She put her hand into his. AS he
clasped it he felt how it trembled.
"Do not always help you,m dear?"
he said gently.
MARX, HUI gh Whittil was the man
told you about and he did care for
me after all"
Marks heart felt dead. This then
was what had brought the gladness to
her eyes.
Il understand" he returned. "You
shall be free"
He turned to leave the room. But
Elizabeth called to him:
"Mark! Mark! Don't you see how
it is? / don't want to be free!
want"
But she was sobbing so that she
could no longer speak.
"What is it, dear?" said Mark,
eagerly.
a want you, Mark. love you!"
And without waiting for him to come
to her she ran and threw her arms
around his neck WdUerly Magazine