Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-12-19

come TO him alone after midnight, her
beautiful face convulsed with pain. She
had come to him whyl
From an upper window Jenny had
seen the shadow too.
"He is waiting for her." she NUT
tered between her chattering teeth.
She clutched at her throat as if she
we're choking, her eyes starting from
her head. A shawl lay ON the chair be-
side her, and. quickly twisting it about
her shoulders, she crept down the stairs
into the dark hall. her bare feet making
no sound. The door was ajar. She could
see without being seen.
Hugh was standing inside the long
window, one hand thrust backward and
grasping his chair. The woman whom
she had always feared and whom she
now hated croucbed on the window seat.
"Why have you come?' Hugh asked
in voice that sounded unnatural
''Do not be angry
1t was passionate, sighing whisper,
and Marian's hands were crossed hard
upon Eer heart.
''It seemed that my heart must burst
if another night passed-without your
knowing"
Hugh looked apprehensively toward
the door, 'hesitated, and then leaned to-
ward her, speaking in the caressing tone
that was SO irresistible from his lips.
"Speak very softly. You are in some
trouble. Tell me quickly. If can help
you"- Oh, the desire to take her in
his arms! 1t turned his blood to flame.
He battled with himself and faced
her, rigid, self contained and deadly
pale under an armor of silence.
The lovely, stricken face was lifted
nearer, the woman's hands reached out
and clasped his. Help me? Yes-yes,
you can-you have. Your words to-
night have saved me- / know now
have a soul. Tonight it spoke to me.
Oh, that voice, SO long silencedv'
A sob sad as dirge drifted from her
lips, though her eyes were wide and
dry.
"Those lost women I sat among to-
night, she said in a clear, slow whis-
per, forcing herself to say what hurt
her cruelty, II have sinned like them. +"
Jenny crept nearer. Hugh had not
stirred.
"Did ycu hear me?"
Eyes"
"You don't believe me. Your face
tells me so.
Something hard and reckless rang in
the words as she started up, a lonely,
black robed figure, the mysticism Of the
night Unfolding her.
II tell you it is tue. The rags are
missing and the visible degradation,
but until tonight ! was like that wom-
an-that woman who sat near me, wLo
had sinned without remorse and won
dered why. Oh, listen, and know me
for what am. was married when a
very young girl Five years ago my
husband died. He was scoundrel. How
loathed him! The three years spent
with him were one long degradation.
She wIung her hands and threw them
out from her, as if casting away some
loathsome thing.
"Since that time my life has been
reckless one. had an independent for
tune. l gave the reins to extravaganza
Of every sort, though always living
within the pale Of respectability. All, |
that is the last thing women like me |
are disposed to renounce. But I cannot |
tell you all. '"
The choked words came thicker, fast
er now.
perhaps you can guess how callous
became. By love that proved after
ward but mothlike sensuality I was
swayed for years. 1t faded at last, leav-
ing q weary disgust, and l knew very
we'll that the man who had inspired it
corrupt and soulless, though danger
ously brilliant-had never touched, even
remotely, the better side of my nature
Oh. how / pew to hate him-my mode |
Of living--my surroundings-myself 1t |
was not repentance. Why, even the DOW
,r to think, the capability Of valuing
what had lost seemed taken from me.
It was only safety, distaste, restless
less. I secretly sought solitude here
merely out Of caprice, because I was
bored. I met you. The rest you know"
Jenny could hardly keep back the tor
'ent of rage and abuse beating against
ler lips. Surely Hugh would push the
from him after this terrible con-
fession.
But he did nothing of the sort Dis
iointed sentences of sympathy and en-
reached her as he looked
INTO Marian S eyes and clasped the hands
she had held out to him. In what he
'aid there was pity, loyalty, an incen-
i've to hope, but not touch of con-
demnation.
"Go now," he said at last. "It is
very late"
Her sweet mouth quivered, light
broke over her face.
"Ah, you are SO goodl" she whis-
oered and stole away as quietly as she
had come.
For moment Hugh stood listening.
No, there was not sound. He threw
himself down beside couch and buried
1is face in his hands. He had not be-
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