The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-04-01

manifestly to meet Gerald Winthrop.
lie came forward to meet her with the
light in his handsome face which alway.
made the girls heart beat faster.
How lovely she wasl Gerald noted
every turn OF her golden head, every
movement Of the graceful form. She
wore dress Of white cashmere, with q
corsage bouquet of forget me. nots.
He drew her hand on his arm and ei
lently led her beyond the scattered
groups OF people on the sand. They
chatted on indifferent matters for time
then Winthrop suddenly said:
II heard an odd story to-day, Miss
Clifford; may tell it to your"
Certainly, she returned brightly. IL,
1t tragedy? Your face betokens one. '
Almost that, for it tells OF mans
blighted hopes. What he most covets L.
denied
a woman's heart and woman's life
And woman's wonderful loves
"And this man is your friend?n
Yes. Paul Thornton, he continued,
as he fixed his penetrating eyes on the
face beside him, seeing that it had
changed to the hue Of death, "was united
to- a girl whom he idolized. That was
more than five years ago, and yet he has
never heard her call him husband.
"Did she marry him voluntarily -
questioned Lola, forcing herself to speak.
mo, she married him to please hey
dying mother, but God knows he would
have wooed her patiently, and 10 conn.
dent that lie would have succeeded in
finally winning her love. But she left
him, and now has petitioned for Q di.
vorce."
"will it be granted ?" asked Lola, with
bated breath.
"Never! He would end the existence
OF both rather than give her up to an.
other, " Gerald answered with emphasis,
and unclasping Lola's hand, he turned
and faced her.
"Oh, how can he be so cruel?" cried
the girl, as she sank almost helpless at
Winthrop's feet
She did not entirely lose consciousness !;
she felt herself raised and drawn to Ger.
aid Winthrop's breast with n strength
that left her powerless; felt his lips press
hers as lie cried:
Lola, my cherished one, what have
done?"
For minute the quiverng form gave
itself up to that masterful clasp, the
trembling lips yielded to his, and then
the revulsion came. The color fluttered
into her cheeks, her eyes opened, and
she vainly tried to free herself from his
embrace.
"Tell me that you love me, Lola-just
once!" he pleaded.
Heaven help me, / do love you!" she
said, hiding her face on his breast with q
sob. "Oh, Gerald, spare me! l can be
nothing to you'll, another mans wife,
il only in harsh legal bondage! In pity
let me go, for am that most unhappy
creature whom you have Just condemned,
Paul Thornton's wife.
II will not let you go! I have a right
to hold you."
"Ah, no! that is not possible!" sho re.
turned. Release me, Gerald-we must
forget what has passed."
Forget the happiest momen. Of my
life? No, no! Lola soy those words
again" 5----. |.- -l-4-
"You are cruel!" she exclaimed. @How
can you torture me SOP"
Am not to have my revenge for all
you have made me suffer-" he rstorted
still holding her close. Lola, my dar-
ling, can you not guess the truth--that
am your husband"
"Paul Thornton!" she gaspsd.
"Yes, Paul Thornton, who discovered
your hiding place only few weeks ago.
Since learning your whereabouts have
shadowed your movements as faithfully
as detective would shadow those OF the
most notod criminal, and resolved to use
q little STACEY that I might win you."
And /, said Lola, smiling through
happy tears, walked blindly into your
trap. Five years have changed your ap-
pearance very much indeed, )" she con-
tinued, pushing him off at arms length
and looking into his handsome face.
"You took so little notice Of me during
the short time we were under your
mothers roof, little one, that It would
have surprised me much il you had rec
ognized me when came here. My proud
darling-my wifel" he went on, ~ he
drew her head down to its rightful rest.
ing place again. Those were sad days
for us, but, God willing, the future shall
be q glorious one."
The waves danced and glistenel in
the moonlight as arm in arm the re-
united husband and wife went back to
motherly Mrs. Marsh who heartily con-
graduated them. and laughed as she
thought how Lola had been won.
Tho Sandstorms OF the Great American
Desert.