Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-01-09


go. Things have changed with ua My
brother died last week, and Jenny has a
legacy. She isn't dependent ON you, DR..
Larremore; but, all the same, I'll see
she gets her rights -
A meaning smile played over her
puffy face.
81 wonder if you heard of it. 1 won
der if the money made you come seek
ing your lawful wife" she cried.
Anger swelled Hugh's heart, and he
bit his lips 10 remain silent.
"Do You know what your daughter
intends to doF'' he asked impatiently.
"Not to get divorce, if you mean
that. We don't believe in it. But if she
gets "a separation you can't bother her.
She only wants to be rid of you. She
ldoesn 'twant to marry again. My daugh-
ter is like memo two husbands for her.
It's;aeainst the Scriptures. As for you"
she paused and measured him for
her most spiteful shaft guess from
all hear of this Miss Trent she won't
mind if you don't get a divorce. "
A sneer passed over Hugh 8 face more
.eloquent than words Mark had softened
his heart to womanishness. This wom-
Ian warped it to steel After all, why
should he try to win his wife back9
Had he not known for years they had
fnothing i'll common? Had they not real
ly been separated since he had first felt
Ea mans better knowledge and awak-
Fened hopes striving within him? Since
she would not come, let her go. The
effort to reclaim her was sop to his
conscience, but she was not worth a
harder struggle. He had no desire to
hear the word of ultimate ending from
her lips.
He went away and aimlessly walked
the streets for hours The summer night
was filed with sound. The city was
awake and happy. A disinclination to
return at once to Mark overcame him.
Dear, kind, patient Mark, who had
slain all earthly desire, what did he
know, after all, of the fierce battle rag
ing in his heart, Of the rebellion against
the accented misery of his life, Of the
elamorous yearning of stubborn youth
that swept through him, demanding
freedom, light and love?
In the endeavor to escape from his
thoughts he entered restaurant on
Union square, and, scarcely touching the
food placed before him, sat like one
watching play.
At the various tables men and wom-
en- were seated, scattered in twos and
threes. He only was alone, feeling that
penetrating loneliness that comes of be-
ing one in crowd.
Two youths near him discussed fam
lily letters received that day from France.
Over his shoulder he heard the popping
Of cork, question, pert reply in a
womans voice, then low, continuous
laughter.
/ The fragrance of violets mixing with
the pungent smell of cigarettes came to
him in waves of narcotic sweetness. A
woman in sparkling black rustled by
and gave him bold, admiring glance.
Nature had nodded her regular features
on heavy lines, and her cheeks were
rouged, but there was still faint re-
semblance to Marian in her dark eyes,
sufficient to send swift pang through
him, as if she had recalled one newly
dead.
J! He turned sharply to the window be-
side which he sat. There was the leafy
darkness of the little park, the blink
ing lights from waiting cabs; great
brown building across the square was
silhouetted against the sky, where the
milky way hung like veil over chain
of stars. One of Waldteufel's languish
, ing waltzes was dolorously pumped from
/ q barrel organ on the curb.
Il And all Of these impressions knitted
themselves around the one thought ever
present with him, the thought of Mar
ian. The pain easing fragrance, tht
dreamy waltz, tee woman's face, tht
watching stars, whispered the one intense
truth in different ways.
1t was late when he left the restau
rant. He walked down Broadway unit
| he happened upon dimly lit cros
street 1t invited him, and he turned
into it, aimlessly walking westward fo
!, long way.
/ His miserable eyes sought the sky
but it gave back no answer; neither wa
{ there whisper Of consolation in th'
breeze that had arisen with the night
His heart fed upon itself, heavy with al
, unanswerable question.
: When he looked up, thrill sho
through him, and he drew a long breath
i The river lay before him, acres Of rip
pling silver, fretted along its near edg,
by the gaunt rigging of anchored ships
, full orbed moon swinging low in thu
mist that trailed like ribbon along tn,
! horizon.
Except for group Of drowSy sailor
; and few poor mothers grooming to fret
full babies the black wharf was deserted
Hugh walked TO the outermost pos
) and crossed his arms upon it. He gazet
| into the light as if he would fill hi
soul with it. 1t was SO peaceful there.
ii And he knew that before he left tina
place he must decide what should be th,
, ihurden Of his future years.
Marian loved him--aye, even as h
. lowed her. If he could lose all to fin,
everything in her love! Oh, the though
| was terribly sweet in its defiance.
Il 10 take her, to hold her, to keep he
, lin gpite of law or right, to fill his lif
with the beauty Of her smile, to be her
absolutely forever, and she his!
II What need to Try to hold to his oil
ideals2 They slipped from him in tina
} terrible naoment as sand through listles
fingers.
Still he gazed into the light
By degrees the keen, troubled sweet
| mess of the longing that ravished hin
faded. What was this new feeling tina
, crept in, this strange power growing