Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-02-18
CHAPTER XII.

"Lurline is my wife now, and I will not
say one word against her. | will not even
say that / could do So She was certainly
the most beautiful. the most fascinating
woman had ever seen. She looked so
young that it was almost impossible to be-
a widow but l knew afterward that she
was at least ten years older than we thought
her. | will not describe her to you; YOU
will see her and judge for yourself.
Nellie" continued Mark, "there is as
great difference between you and Lurline
as between q simple natural lily Of the
valley and gaudy artificial camellia I
saw it aiterward; but at first she took my
senses captive, and held them in thrall 1
remember how she puzzled me, how I
watched her. One Of the first things that
struck me was the subtle odor of sweet vio-
lets that seemed to envelope her. Every
thing belonging to her-her sables, shawls,
books FANS gloves.ceyerything, had the
charmed me. On, Nellie, 1 was rash
foolish coward, but l never thought of
loving her, and never dreamed of marry
ing any one but you! Every man on board
was in love with her; but she favored me
and was weak enough young and foolish
enough to be hattered by this preference,
to feel proud and delighted when the little
court Of admirers had TO make way for me,
when she laid that white gemmed hand OF
hers on my arm, dismissing the rest
with little nod of the head, saying,
I will accompany you, Lord Severne.
should like quiet promenade
Itpleased me to mark hot angry jeal-
ousy in other mems eyes; it pleased me to
| erence which this beautiful woman show
cred upon me: Still, Nellie, never dream
ed of being false to you.
cat first ! was attracted by her great
beauty, her fascination, her low sweet voice
her nameless charm of dress and manner,
then by her decided, open preference for
me shown at all times and in all places.
money had anything to do with it; l be-
leved it was myself alone that she cared
Tor. All, Nellie, perhaps even stronger
man than myself might have succumbeu!
shall never forget the nights on the ocean,
with the stars like golden meteors in the
sky. the sea dark, silent, mysterious and
solemn. Such nights they were--the sea
looking into mine! Alb Nellie YOU taught
me love, and it will never die; she taught
me passion, and it is dead!
must tell you the whole truth. The mem.
DRY of the sweet face under the lilacs grew
fainter; the passionate beautiful face
of the woman who showed this
ludTheu preference lOI Iue diInOSI mao
| dened me for time.
"There can be no excuse for me, Nellie
I offer none. But remember that for the
first time in my life | was fattered by all
the subtle batteries that clever and beau.
tiful woman could use. The balance ofmy
reason was gone. She had reused passion
that yet was not love in my heart. l was
driven on by the anger of those whom she
sighted for me; and one night-one fatal
night, when the moon was shining bril-.
liantly, and the sea was calm as a lake-we
stood together at the end of the vessel. Her
fair white hand stole into mine; her beau.
tiful face was raised to mine, pale with
emotion. her eyes glistening with tears. ]
forgot you, Nellie; / forgot honor, truth,
and loyalty. bent down to kiss her, and
Well, cannot tell you how it happened.
lam speaking the truth, Nellie. / would moi
hide one thought from you. feel sure that
when bent my head to kiss her I had no
thought OF asking her to be my wife; but
before another half hour had passed
had promised to marry her, and
Nellie. love, listen-from that mo-
ment to this have never had