Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-10-12
CHAPTER xxx.
THE REPTILE TURNS TO STING.

THE REPTILE TURNS 10 SIING'
Whom Flora Cleveland returned to New
York AMI her home she t-ere experienced
the painful impressions Of the past, and
the somber preoccupation of the future;
but she brough. there wi h9r, although
in n iragi form, mo powerful con-
ISOLATION her first born child.
Assailed bv grief, and even menaced py
new emotions, she was obi, ed to re-
nounceds the nursing OF her II tie one;
but nevertheless size never left him, Tor
she was Jealous even OF his nurse. one
at le st wished 10 be loved by him.
She loved him with n infinite passion.
She loved him because he was her own
son and of her blood.
lie was the price OF her misfortune-ot
her pain.
She loved him because he was her only
hope of human happiness hereafter,
She loved him b. cause he Was as beau
tiful AS the day. And it was true he was
so; for he resembled his father and she
love him also on that account.
She tried 10 CONGO rate her heIt AMI
a'l her thoughts on this dear ere llure, an q
at fr,t she thought she had succeeded.
She was surprised at herself, a. her own
tr nquillity, when she saw Cora Elllston;
for her lively imagination had exhausted
in advance, all the sadness which her new
existence could cont in
But when she had lost the kind Of tor
Dor into which excessive suffering had
plunged her when her maternll sensa-
tions were little quieted by custom
her womans heart recovered itself IN the
mothers
She could not prevent herself from re-
newing her pas sionate interest in her
graceful though terrible husband.
Mrs. Leland did not return to the city
with her daughter but remained Ill Kox-
bury, with her husband.
Flora wrote her quite often, however,
and told her everything that was taking
place. For this wise young woman, ma
tured by misfortune, observed every
thing, s w everything, and exaggera!e /
nothing.
She touched, in her letters, on the
most delicate points in the household.
and even on her husbands secret
thoughts, with accurate justice.
Eugene, as yet, was not at all converted,
nor near being so; but it would be ely
ing human nature to attribute 10 his
heart, or that Of any other human being,
a supernatural impassibil'ty.
If the dark and impla;nble theories
which Eugene Cleveland had lately made
the law OF his existence could triumph
absolutely, this would be true.
The til Is he had passed through did
not reform him. they only staggered him.
He dill not pursue his path with the
same frmness; he strayed fro his pro-
gramme.
He pitied one of his victims, and, Os
one wrong always entails ano her, after
pitying his wife, he came near loving his
ch ID
These two weaknesses had glided into
his petrified soul, as into marble fount,
and there took root-two imperceptlble
roots, however
The child scarcely occupied him mora
than few moments every day.
He thought of him, however, and
would return home little earlier than
usual each day than WIS his habit, Sc
creetly attracted by the smile of that
fresh face
The mother was forhim something more.
Her sufferings, her Youthful beroism, had
touched him. She b came in his eyes
somebody.
He discovered many merits in her. He
perceived she was remarkably we'll in
formed for q woman. She understood
half q word, knew a great deal, and
guessed at the remainder.
She had, in fine, that blending grace
and solidity which gives TO the conversa-
ton of woman Of cultured mind an in
comparable charm;
She was a lovsble creature, and it can
be understood that she might have many
attractions, even for her HUI band.
Yet. though he h d not for one instant
the idea of sacrificing to her the passion
that ruled his life, it is certain, however,
that his wife pleased him as a charming
friend, which she truly was.
lTo DE CONTINUED