The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1893-05-12
[SSIPPI. FRIDAY, MAY IL. 1898.
Carefully he drew near ard

Carefully he drew near ard
lOOke,l III.
Mabel sat there with her golden
head resting on her hand beside
her stood Richard Noble, and his
voice cut the ar in sharp, earnest
tones:
mabel, Mabel, this Is folly.
Have you not cherished the mem.
ory of your recent husband long
enoushy You are only planning
your own misery. You know |
love you. would do anything in
my power to aid you or contribute
to your happiness"
Z "YOu have always been a noble,
generous friend" said Mabel, rails
ing her eyes gratefully. 81 am
sorry to give you pain now."
'rhen say you will marry me-"
he pleaded. "Dead or alive, what
is Willred Denton to You nowy'
"He is my husband" she an.
swered simply. "Some day he
may return. Ii | knew he was
dead. II would be many years be-
fore could give my hand 10 an.
other. shall never love as l did
once and do now"
Mabel, what are yon saying?"
She rose slowly and faced him
with a look that was angelic on
her fair features.
Il love Wllired Denton YETI she
said. 81 have accepted your friend
ship, but l never dreamed you
cared for me like this. You have
been so kind | almost feel guilty
now, but l know l have never Civ
en- you a word, Il sign, by which
you could doubt my fidelity as a
WIFE,"
"But think how he has wronged
you, TO what depth h. sunk, and
then this long cruel silence"
Il know she sald with a sad
smile. But woman's love en-
dures through all things. never
thought him wholly bad. If he
should core to me now ont of The
depths, l should receive him only
with klrdness. You understand
my heart now, Richard Noble.
Woul! you ask me TO be your
wife now 2"
He fell back with a groan.
This is Madness he mulIered.
But do not give you up. | will
search for information of The man
who deserted you, and if he nc
longer lives | will teach you tC
forget him."
"And if he lives tell HIM l for
give him."
With a last, long look, Richard
Noble went from the room.
Mabel still stood beside hel
chair with her eyes upraised, and a
faint smile ON her lips.
Then suddenly a cry broke from
her tortured heart.
"Wilired, my love, my love, j.
you would come back -
Mabel, am here!
She turned her head, saw the
approaching figure, and retreated
with a cry of terror.
mabel, my wife, don't yor
know me? | have come out oI
the depths. Will you not weIcoms
me?'
Slowly she crept forward as i
still doubling her vision, her dilale(
eyes fixed on his dark. bearded
face.
Then with rush she fell upol
hin, sobbing hyslerically.
lie soolhed her with tende
words and caresses, and aile
awhile was able to tell his story
ending with his miserable doubt
of the afternoon and his own lie
termination to see her and sa,
farewell forever.
''Out of the depths OF a wretcheC
past | have come, Mabel" he said
''But long ago rose from the toll
, of vice and folly. With your hell
| shall rise still higher. Such loy,
as yours, Mabel, would redeeh
the worst sinner. My God, had
been as wise then AS am now,
would never have left you.
: would have fought the battle ou
by your side. You have much I,
forgive, Mabel
, ''Let us moi speak of that" sh
said gently. "Let US talk of tn
future, Wilfred. Come in and Sc
our child"
!, They stood together beside tn
, bed where the little girl lay sleel
: ing.
With a heart 100 full for word
Wilfred kneit and grasped hi
wiie's hand.
!, Sowly his lips moved; he wa
: Offering a silent prayer that he ha
been raised out OF the depths mt
. such a glory as this, and in tina
moment his repentance and reiol
> nation were complete.
\
Chorloc Iurluar uond <o 49,,