The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-15

garden gate, and walking softly up the
pathway opened the door which rs
usual was on tho latch, Then crossing
the tiny ball, in another second she
stood upon the threshold OF the sitting
room and uttered one word; "FatherV'
With u start the schoolmaster
dropped his book and rose TREMENDOUSLY
to his feet; then with an exclamation
that expressed love, Joy and wonder he
rushed forward and clasped her In his
arms, kissing her burning face and
pressing her TO his heart "Stella, my
Stella, my dear child, my little one"
he murmured fondly, his voice express
ing his delight, for his eyes were too
dim to see the Misunderstanding sadness
OF her countenance,
81 have come back" abe said be-
tween her sobs, II have come back to
YOU"
"Rut not alone?' he suggested, look.
ing forwards in expectation OF seeing
another figure.
"Quite alone"
"but where Is your huabandP" the
schoolmaster asked, something in the
tones OF her voice startling him.
~ have nc husband she replied
with trembling lips.
"DeadP" cried the old man In terror,
mo" che whispered, hiding her face
on his shoulder whilst she tried to re-.
press the storm shaking her frame,
"He-he deceived mel our marriage
was q mockeryi he has grown tired OF
me and cast me off"
Jacob Selwyn could not at first real
lie tho sense OF her words, but when it
broke upon him his frat thought was
one OF pity for her. "My poor child,
my own darling, did the scoundrel dare
to wrong your Q God, that such a vii
lain should live" he said, tightening
his arms around her as II to protect her
against the world aud to shelter her in
his heart
"Oh, father, l loved him once only
too we'll" she said between her sobs,
"and l thought myself his wife until
the hour | lett him. You believe me-
you believe thatP
Eyes, Stella, know you would notfdo
wrong, Tho sin Is not years, but his,
and no will reap its punishment-the
scoundrel"
Don't talk OF that, dear"
THANK God you have cotne back to
me-" he replied, kissing her once more.
"0h, that / were noar the villain, /
would take his life. Such vermin
should not be permitted to live" he
cried out his eyes bright from excite
ment, his usually pale face flushed with
anger, his limbs trembling from emo.
ton,
Stella sank into q chair exhausted,
and her father seeing how worn and
weary she looked brought her wine,
which he forced her to drink, and food
which he forced her to eat. The woman
who attended on his own modest wanta
had gone home for the night, and no
one had seen Stella enter the cottage.
Then he threw some wood upon the
fire, for the evening was raw and damp,
and made her ait in his own great chair
beside the hearth.
The ruddy glow Of the blaze fell
warmly on the familiar walls, and glis.
tened on the glass Of the old engraving
and wood worked pictures, and tinged
the pale, earnest face whose eyes were
fixed anxtously upon her. All re.
manned untouched and unaltered as
when abe had left; all that had hap.
pened since her departure might have
been a dream, from which this was the
tardy awakening. Would 1t had been
n dream, and but a terrible reality.
Presently when she had laid aside her
bonnet aud cloak, and had somewhat
mastered the choking sensation In her
throat, she told her father tho history
Of her lie since she had quilted his
home; told him Of her journey to Lon
don; Of being met at the station by
\ Crawford and driven through q wilder.
ness OF close streets and busy thorough.
fares, until they arrived at that dark
and gloomy house he called his own,
where a man dressed as o parson
awaited them and read the marriage
service; OF their departure for Switzer.
land and their travels through foreign
lands.
Then she dwelt sadly on the evening
Of their arrival at. Milan and his re.
ceipt Of a certain letter, from which
time his manner had changed towards
her; she mentioned their stay in Paris,
and finally she spoke OF that miserable
day at Boulogne, wheI no told her abe
was not his wife; OF her fruitless appeal,
of the arrival OF Arthur Ferrars, and OF
the false statement she had made to
him.
"You should have told Arthur the
truth, and lot him give the scoundrel
the chastisement he deserved" said the
schoolmaster, whose agitation scarce
permitted him to speak.
"But there would have bcen blood.
shod and | would not have the friend
who sought to avenge me injured; nor
yet the maj who wronged me-"
III will find him myself, and give him
the punishment he deserves from o
fathers hands," Jacob selwyn said,
pacing the room backwards and for.
wards, forgetful Of his ago and lack OF
strength in his righteous desire to
bring the betrayer to book. Then
pausing, he asked, "Where Is Arthur
now2"
~ don't know" answered Stella. add.
ing after q pause, II cannot bear to sec
him again. Only now, whom | myself
wrong / did him. No, we must NEE!
no more. No moro" and strcamod
down her checks,
HE would not resent your leaving
him, no would only pity you, my dear
Child-my poor Stella"
but don't you understand, fathor,
that his pity would DO hardest to bear"
she cried out
"But l dare soy you will have to meet
him some day."
Nor necessarily" she replied.
"Elow Is that Stellar"
because, dear father, l don't intend
to remain hcro."