The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-04
WHEN LOVE IS STRONG. !"

And you married me, her husband
said, quietly-so quietly that Eliza
beth was startled.
She treated his words as a question.
81 don't know why! I was wretched
I wanted to leave home-to see new
sights, new faces. I wanted some one
to help me forget that I had given my
heart to a man who did not care for
it."
"And so you married me-" Mark
Evelyn said again.
Six hours before that they had stood
side by side, vowing to cleave unto
each other while their lives lasted.
Their wedding had been a noted one.
Mark Evelyn was the "catch" of the
season. Elizabeth Gilman was much
envied when her engagement was an
nounced. She had no great gift of
beauty or talent-she was not in her
first youth-had been "out" for five
years. But Mark loved her from the
beginning of their acquaintance and
rejoiced when she promised to be his
wife.
Mark Evelyn's nature was a noble
one; selfishness had not the slightest
place in it. Heretofore he had de-
served little credit for this; the best
things in life had always come to him;
he had never been disappointed, was
an adored son and brother, a general
favorite in society. Without being in
the least conceited he knew his power
and worth. And now this woman he
adored-his wife-had told him that
she did not love him.
Elizabeth sat miserably before her
husband. He noted every thing about
her-the way her soft wrapper clung
to her form-just how she held her
hands-clutched, not clasped. The
little pain lines about her mouth hurt
him so. Her eyes were cast down
her face looked dead. Mark felt sure
that her heart was saying: "Life is
all over for me-"
"Elizabeth," he said, slowly and
kindly, "you have done yourself a
great wrong. You should have told
me all this Yesterday"
"You did not ask me if l loved you,"
began his wife, half defantly.
q did not think it necessary, DEAR"
he answered. Il believed you incapa-
BILE of marrying one you did not care
for"
Elizabeth shivered. She felt that
she deserved this and more. But
Mark never reproached her again.
GA few hours ago you promised to
honor and obey me-" he continued,
after awhile. "Win you let me shape
your future? You married me to en-
able you to forget. May l help you?
Do not tell me that mans name; it
will not mend matters. You want to
leave home-to make a new life for
yourself-you shall do so. We will
stay in California; have interests
there. If l thought you would be hap
pier away from me l would leave you.
But know you would not. Our sep
aration might give rise to scandal.
You would have to bear the burden of
blame. 1 will be your husband only
in the eyes of the world; but / can
protect you and be your friend. I
have the right to ask what please of
you, Elizabeth, and / ask this"
Thus was formed strange friend
ship.
A year later Mr.. and Mrs. Evelyn
occupied a suite of rooms in San
Francisco hotel. They were model
pair-quite the talk of the house.
After a whole year of married life this
husband continued to spend his even
ings with his wife. He gave no little
dinner parties, frequented no clubs,
participated in no innocent flirtations
seemed scarcely to be aware of the
many beautiful women who were ready
to smile upon him and his wealth.
And the men soon discovered an
other remarkable circumstance. Mrs.
Evelyn paid not the smallest attention
to their admiring glances.
The dead look in Elizabeth's face
had gone and so had the pain lines
about her mouth. Day after day she
acknowledged TO herself that she had
never been as happy as she was now.
There was nothing Mark could do
that he did not do for her. He lavished
his wealth upon her. She had no
petty annoyances and enjoyed COM
pIete liberty. She had no moods to
contend with in her husband. If Mark
had faults he never displayed them be-
fore her. Her life was like a beautiful
dream. Every little attention was
hers-her very wishes were anticl-
pated.
Mark studied her tastes, her ideas,
on every subject. They were entirely
congenial. Both were devoted to
music and art. They practiced and
sang together. They loved books and
read the newest and best of literature.
Elizabeth was fond of flowers. Mark
brought her fresh ones every day.
He never bored her with his society
and vet he never left her too much
alone. Every day Elizabeth had some
new thing to be grateful for.
Mark never approached her with
one Iover-like attention. He was her
friend and appeared satisfied with
things as they were.
One day in her husbands absence
Elizabeth went into his chamber
their bedrooms were on either side OF
their parlor. She found there pho
!, tograph of herself; the following poem
was pasted on the back of it:
Oh, love is weak
Which counts the answer and the gains
Weighs all the losses and the pains,
And eagerly each fond word drains
| When love is strong
1t never tarries to take heed,
Or know if its return exceed
Its gift; in its sweet haste no greed,
| No strife belong.
| 1t hardly asks
If it be loved at all! To take
So barren sums, when it can make
Such bliss for the beloved sake
OF bitter taSks
Elizabeth cried bitterly as she read
Yes, Marks was the strong love anC
she was not worth it. Why could sht
not love him? She did, dearly, afte,
fashion; she revered him and wa
grateful for his goodness to her. Blu
the old passion for the man who haC
not cared for her was still alive. Sh
could not pretend what she did no
feel.
She felt very humble. If she coulC
only do something for him! In th
beginning, when she first realized hoT
he intended to treat her, she hat
begged him to be less kind-to pu
her away from him. She never forgo
. his reply
eff you could be happier away iron