Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-10
THE JAWS OF DEATH.
BY MAGGIE BROWNE.


tassel, and Or. Reynolds sat in an
easy chair beside the fire, covertly
looking at her.
In varied travels he had seen few
women so beautiful.
The round, supple form, the regu-
larly carved ana exquisitely tinted
faae, the perfect grace and of high
breeding, might have pleased a more
fastidious man than he.
But something higher and better
than admiration softened Doctor Rey-
nolds' face as he turned away with a
soft sigh and rustled the leaves Of his
book by the fire-light. Royal desert
ed the window and came softly to-
ward the fire.
"A year from to-day, l hope | shall
not be here she said.
Again Doctor Reynolds looked up
at her. His gaze was mixture of
tenderness and sorrow.
DO you hope to be happier Royal.
he said.
Yes l hope to be-, she answered,
knotting the silken cords of the wrap
per, In turn, with those restless fng-
ers of hers.
Again Doctor Reynolds sighed.
If you have anything to say to me,
why don't you say it?' she exclaimed
lmpatlently.
You know my wish, he said
quietly.
A sudden color flickered in her
cheek. She glanced at him shyly,
from under her long eyelashes.
i would regret no money that
would keep you off the stage, Royal.
The color died in her beautiful face.
You would pay any price to keep
me here in ennui = she exclaimed.
Why l shall eat my own heart in a
year more OF this life 7
HIS sorrowful eyes seemed unbear-
able to her.
'It's SO tame and spirtless! said
she; so worse than a thousand cares,
with inanity l woman, loathe 1t
How you man, can endure 1t, l can.
not see.
i am tired, he answered simply.
She paused in her walk. Standing
near him, and looking down on his
bowed head, she saw, very plainly,
The streaks of gray in it. The fire
lied out Of her face.
4 am so youngI' she said, more
gently.
Yes, he answered, !,
Only twenty
Only twenty he repeated.
She went back to the window and
stood there in silence.
The landscape was gray and wint-
ry, patches of show on the frozen
ground, and the trees creaking and
in the wind-the great elms
and oaks of Woodmore. The warm,
quiet room was quite still The Goals
burned without crackle, her canary
had gone to sleep in the dusk, and
Doctor Reynolds was mute and mo-
tionless in his chair.
Her impatient thoughts roved away
in the city. ....
She saw in fancy, lights, and glow
ing colors, and living walls of people.
Music gave voice to the scene.
Then her soul seemed to steal out
OF her body, and she stood before the
throng, all the slumbe.ing
fire and romance of her nature vita
lizing and bringing to life some
character OF olden story that had
thrilled her in childhood and still |
famous in the memory Of men.
How the grand words Of passion
and inspiration rung from her lips!-
how complete her success-how en-
thuslastic the plaudlts Of the throng
She started suddenly and wildly as
from dream as servant brought in
lights and her evenings mail. No
letters for her; no one ever thought
of her or cared for her now; but
next year.
DR.. Reynolds read his letter in si-
lence and then took up the evening
paper. She glanced around; the quiet
domestic atmosphere was not congo
NAL.
She turned to leave the room. DR..
Reynolds looked up.
Are you gong to your room. Roy
alp
Yes. Good night.