The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-16

t.
she had yet knoWn-a melancholy that
took the huea Of despair; she could have
cried out in pity for heFgelt she longed
70 shed tears because Of the bitterness
Of her fate.
For there came before her vlvldlY the
remembrance Of her love. and the re-
turn which that love had met 9iaaly
she would have died for her husband
then, did but her death secure MN
happiness, and how had he repaid the
wealth OF her atFection2 In a lew
months he had begun to weary Of and
to neglect her; he had basely lied to
her concerning their marriage, proved
deaf to prayers that might have ronsed
pity In the blaokest and hardest heart;
dung her aside needless Of Whist became
Of her; behaved as u coward when one
who really loved her would have acted
as her defender; protected himself IN.
der statement she then believed false;
sought to become a bigamist; and finally
and wilfully and cruelty slandered her,
his wife-the woman who had so'loved
and trusted him.
And this was the man who was her hus.
band; it was TO him she was bound ire.
coverably for life. Nothing which had
happened previously was go hard to
bear, To what misery had Joy led her?
7 Arthur Ferrars. watching her closely,
saw there was no brightness in her eyes,
no 10y upon her face, only the shadows
Of sorrow, the WEAKNESS OF despair.
And seeing her, and being human, he
reioiced; for he knew now that her
love towards the man who had stolen
her from him was dead for ever and
could nevermore be revived.
"stella," her father said, "stella, you
don'tspeak."
"No, father; I am thinking"
The schoolmastef rose, and coming to
her side kissed her fondly, butshe made
no response,
"This is great news our good friend
has brought u.s." he said, struggling
with his emotion. "You are glad and
gratetulp
mo, father"
The schoolmaster drew back in as.
constituent
"Don't you yet realize that you are
% "FaIIy-but to be the wife of such a
man ls the greatest degradation ] could
know"
"IIe has behaved cruelty and wick
edIy, but you must strive to forget the
past and forgive him."
u can forgive but cannot forget"
she replied, firmly.
Jacob Selwyn felt puzzled. Gratjh-
cation at the knowledge Of his daugh-
ter's marriage was uppermost In bis
mind, and he was disappointed that It
was not shared by her whom this feel
ing most concerned. Turning to Fer
rars he asked, "Have you told him yet
Of your discovery"
mo, came here first with the news,
but tomorrow ] will give him the
option Of publishing his marriage be-
fore the world, or OF having it done by
me-"
upon him." said Stella.
"But it must be done, Stella, in JUS
tice TO yourself, as vindication OF your
II have done no wrong and the
worlds judgment troubles me but lit
%You will take your proper position
as his wife, my DEAR" said the school
master, with some sense Of pride rising
In his mind.
ale will never be more to me than he
Is at present"
"Time will change your opinion" her
father remarked.
"Tlme will never alter my determin-
alton, Nothing would ever induce me
to live with such mar"
Her father turned away. However
she might act, whatever she might say,
she was a wife; and this fact rested
with him above all other considerations,
bringing with II sense Of peace aud q
feeling Of satisfaction TO which he, poor
man, had long been a stranger.
'"You must let the family at the
Manor know" he said.
"Yes, will go ut once; Gubbs will
be terribly surprised"
"And indignant"
"What an escape his daughter has
had"
The artist stood up to depart, and
Stella, who had remained silent, abb
sorbed and sorrowful, gave him her
hand which was cold as ice. he felt it
tremble in his, and a sudden thought
which seemed like flash OF inspiration
crossed his mind.
Gould 1t be that oil unexpectedly that
was given him which he had never be-
fore fully possessed-given him now
when an impossible barrier had risen
between them?
He glanced at her eyes to find con-
firmatton Of his surmise, but they we're
lowered, and her hand was quickly
withdrawn. Recovering himself with
an effort he drew deep breath, and
went towards the door accompanied by
Jacob, who was all ohliyious oiswhat
had passed.
"Good night, and God bless you, said
the schoolmaster, "for you have brought
me news that has lifted o heavy load
from my heart"
Ferrars smiled at the mockery Of Fate,
and with weary steps and despairing
thought Is slowly took his way through
the park. 1T was little more than, eight
o'clock and this summer evening had
not vet yet faded tonight. The atmos-
phere was close and heavy as If astorm
were brewing vapory clouds had begun
their travels through space.
AZ he approached the house he saw
two figures on the terrace, which he
readily recognized as those of Ada and
her brother. The latter caught sight OF
Ferrars as he entered the garden, and
came rushing down the terrace steps,
followed ut a slower pace by his sister.
II Thought it was you; how are you
have you had your dinner? the boy
asked In a breath.
"Thank you for your telegram" Ada
added. at was such a relief to uG-hoW