The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-12-31
A TRAGEDY OF LOVE.


The sun Ehone high in the blue heavens.
The soft, fragrant air, heavy with the
scent of roses and carnations, stirred the
oreepers on the low, white house. signing
family through the trees at the bottom OF
the velyety terraced lawns which sloped
down to the edge OF the miniature lake,
shimmerirg In the hot July sunshine.
Through the trees walked stifiy tail,
broad sheulasssd speoisnetl OF tho stse4gtr
ser, with o long, military stride, whistling
carelessly as he skirted the lake and disap-
peared into the tangled wood path, As BIO
passed out of sight woman came slowly
up the green terraces, pausiDg, as she
reached the top, to glance back at the re-
treating figure In the distance. Then she
turned away, with a little impatient ges-
ture, gathering the soft folds Of her gray
dress together as she mounted the wide,
shallow steps and sauntered slowly along
the shadowy shrubbery path, where the
leafy branches met overhead forming a
natural avenue of cool, delicious shade.
She sat down wearily ON tho rustic seat OF
the far end Of the mossy path, resting her
head against the old tree at her back, the
dark shadowy background throwing into
strong relief the slight, gray figure, with
the small head proudly erect, crowned with
masses Of golden brown hair, curly and
soft, forming dark setting for the pale
face, out Of which shone those glorious
dark gray eyes, with deep violet tinge In
them, just now filled with an overpower-
ing weight of weariness and agony Of dis.
appointment.
"He never cared" she said TO herself.
care his eyes SO blinded that he cannot see
the truth for himselfY'
Her bosom heaved under tho soft, silky
folds Of her cool gray dress; her hands
were tightly olaspod before her. Suddenly
her whole attitude changed and relaxed,
and she resumed her old careless posture.
A maid came down the path with silver
salver In her hand, on which reposed
card. The woman glanced at the name
inscribed thereon--"Lord Bennington"
81 Will come in," she said, and the maid
returned to the house. She sat motionless
for an instant, then rose quickly, as II
some sudden determination had seized
her. A scornful smile curved her red lips
as she walked into the cool, shadowy draw
ing room, through the open French win
dow. As she entered man advanced
quickly to meet her. He seized both her
hands In his. saying passionately:
Ruth, / have come for my answer
What is to bep''
She turned away her head for an in
stant, and looked out into the sunlit gar
den, down to the dark shady wood, with
the lake dancing in the hot sunshine;
then she looked back into the dark, hand
some face Of the man before her.
"It Is to be-yes," she said In her clear,
cool voice, with no trace Of emotion, but
she shuddered inyoluntarily as she WAS
olasped In her lovers arms.
That was the first aot Of the tragedy.
The curtain rises on the second act.
Ruth Lady Bennington, whose unemotion.
al, tragic beauty has taken the world Of
fashion by storm, is seated in her flower
scented boudoir. She has not altered much
during the last two years; her beauty Is
still as marvellous rs ever, unspoiled by all
the turmoil Of London season, whero the
world has bowed down to the new beauty.
At first, to her unsophistioated mind, the
Intoxicating whirl Of eeaseless gayeties
was at once pleasant and novel, but now
she is heartily tired OF 1t; she is filled with
an intense, mad longing to revisit the old
homo in the quiet, peaceful couptry-the
old fashioned garden, the tangled wood,
and the lake, glimmoring under n cloud
less, dazzling sky-how it all comes back
to her, food of bitter memories. A warm
breeze steals in at the open windows, blow
ing out the long filmy curtains, and bear
ing Whit of mignonette from tho flower
filled balcony
Tho door opens and man enters At
the sight of him Ruth rises with sup
pressed cry, pale to the very lips. She
holds out her hand.
"Captain Tremayneg' she says, this Is
indeed u surprised l had no idea that you
had returned.
The visitor holds her hand in his, lot
ting his eyes rest ON the palo, lovely faco
for moment; then they both sit down.
He is tho first to speak.
.I only arrived in England a few days
ago, and, being in town, seized the first
opportunity to call ON you. for the sake of
.auld lang syne +"
Ruth smiles and slowly unfurls her
feather fan. The heat is terrific.
you are very kind, she says, land
am moro than pleased to sec you. Two
years have passed since We last met; am
much alterelfn
She looks straight at him inquiringly,
and tho look sends hot thrill through his
whole being.
"You are more beautiful, " he says slow
ly.
This seriously spoken speech causes a
little ripple of light laughter TO break
from Ruth, as she slowly fans herself.
"You have grown complimentary dur
ing your two years absence on foreign
service, she says lightly, but her eyes
drop as they meet his.
ais IL actually 50 long since spent that
long, delightful day at Pens Court? DO
you remember the lake and tho walk In
the woodsf''
tRememberIn Her voice thrills with
some strong, hidden emotion. "As il |
should ever forget the''-- She checks her-
self hurriedly.
And now you are marriedit' he re-
marks irreleyaDtly. II was a coward
them
"a cowardf whys' She disregards his
first remark.
"Whyf' he asks feroely. because was
afraid to speak-because knew you feared
poyerty-that you sought brilliant alli-
anee'-
She stops him with a sudden, iinperi-
ous GESTURE her eyes blazing with PCS.
sionate light.
''Silencei You malign me. never
sought this brilliant aliiance.'' tScorn.
fully What has 1t brought me, but
She breaks off abruptly, and, with sud.
den movement, pulls back her loose hang
ing sleeve, revealing an ugly, livid bruise
on the fair white arm. Then, with a bit.
ter smile, she lets the slesve fall again and
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