The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-07
MARGARET.

ly it may as well be UNDERWOOD at first
how I came by my quick, cruel heart
think that I speak the truth when I
say meant to have been faithful to Geof-
frey Haines when I promised to be his
wife, He believed in me, and, better I
believed in myself, though, heaven knows,
it was long enough agol Had he been a
trifie more patient with me I might have
been a better and happier woman now,
but the chances were so against him that
suppose it drove him to desperation.
He loved me as I never deserved to be
loved, for, knowing that I held him as
the executioner holds his victim, my wo-
manly love of power went down before the
tempta tions to use it, and 1 made him feel
that perdition could come in all it's tor
ments before the boundaries of this world
were passed.
tYou have heard me speak of Defour,
Margaret he asked, as we sat in the
dusky, fragrant twilight.
''Yes, often enough. What of it?''
"He is coming tomorrow, but''-he
bent down close to my face and looked in
to my eyes-''don't be too pleasant with
him, for should be afraid
'Would you?" 1 answered lightly. but
that moment the demon entered my heart,
and knew it. am not sure but I threw
open the door eagerly for his entrance, as
a queen might step joyfully over a dead
body to her throne.
L
upon my elbow, looked in the glass and
wondered who this Defour was like and
whether he would see anything in my face
to draw him toward me, and remem Der
half shrinking away from the treacher-
Gus light which cleaned in my eyes I
thought of the coming day.
Somehow had kind of pity for Geof-
frey then, to think that he should have
staked his happiness upon one incon-
stant, but did not seem to feel that I
could help it at all. The woman who sor-
rowed little for her lover and the one
who meant to walk straight on in her
own chosen, cruel way seemed to be two
distinct and separate persons.
The next day brought Defour-hand-
some, affa BILE, courteous Defour. With a
grace all his own, he bent over my hand,
saying:
81 am your loyal subject, since Godfrey
Haines graoiously permits"
He made feint Of touching my hand
with his lips, though he did not. Geoffrey
had told him that we were affianced, then.
'I thank Mr.. Haines for his approval"
I answered, Though 1 am not sure but we
might have been friends without such rec
ommendation. !"
He gave me a quick look, but met it
placidly.
"'Thank you," he said below his breath.
From that night I began to read sweet,
forbidden lessons in Paul Defour's eyes,
and from that night Geoffrey's fearful
watch began. He scorned to suspect his
friend, but he could not be blind, and L
what did 1 carer / rather exulted in the
power held and in that which 1 was ac-
quiring. 1t was as if some f1end possessed
me.
When I was talking quietly with Geof-
frey, would meet Paul Defour's tender
look or smile across the room to him un-
til Geoffrey's lips would blanch and Quiver
like a woInan's.
One night Defour was determined to go
upon the water, perhaps because he knew
that Geofrey could not accompany us.
| He never went in a pleasure boat, having
lost twin brother once years before when
out in one. So he remained at home, and
we started OF alone.
1t was a dreamy, luxurious night, with
full moon above us, and the steady, reg
ular beat of the waves upon the beach was
the only sound aboard. We slipped out
with the tide for half mile without q
word. Then Defour began to sing:
Glove is hurt by jar and fret
He stopped suddenly.
"Do you hear, Margaret? Love is hurt
by jar and fret -
"No, 1 cannot hear" murmured.
"The night, such as this, is made for see
ing. Row back am chilly
His eyes were full upon mine, and
could see them darken and deepen.
Suppose we go far out upon the sea
and never return?"
'Ah, but it is hard work to die, De-
fourl'
~Con1d we die Won and T Margaret If
We were shut out from each others gazei"
dropped my eyes and drew my mantle
about my shoulders.
g Is it time to go homer" said.
eyes"
He took up the oars and turned the boat
about.
We are going, you see. -
We reached the shore. He fastened the
boat, and, holding out his hands, took
mine, and before could think or speak he
held me in his arms, and his lips were
burning mine. In moment the tall form
of Godfrey Haines stood before us, and he
was saying in hoarse, strained voice:
Margaret Oh, Margaretr'
eyes, I am here,' answered slowly as
took his arm.
He dragged me along up the walk to
the summer house and there stopped.
"You are false, cruel womanI''
"True,' replied, "quite true"
"And you dare to face me thus?" he
thundered, raising his hand as if to crush
eyes, since / am as false to him as
you
"The demon take you'll"
"He has already, Godfrey" answered.
"You do not mean to be my wife?''
"No"
"With my last breath I will curse you''
he flung out as he strode off into the night.
"GeoffreyP" I called, faint breath of
remorse creeping into my heart at sight
of his CHASTITY face as he turned away, but
he did not would not hear, and went
home alone.
Until past midnight I sat before my
mothers portrait, listening in kind of
I cd lrUif
justice to glide in. phantomlike, and bear
me of. Now, as 1 look back through the
long years that have passed since, won-
der that any woman could have been SO
heartless and cruel. but the world had
been my mother, and perhaps it is not SO