Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-07-31

INJURED her lovers name.
A man who entered the room by
means of skeleton key smiled
triumphantly when, as he bent low
over the sleeper, be heard it. He
took Helen's hand in his. She shud-
dered at the touch and started up
wildly, her voice frozen with horror,
her beautiful eyes distended with re-
proach, anger and fear.
''How dare you" she asked 10
gasping whisper.
he laughed softly.
Cannot a husband come to his
wife, my dearest?' he asked, and his
very tone was caress.
"a husband, yes; but you are not
my husband. Oh, Ray ! for heavens
sake, leave me / am trying to do
what is right-to live as / should
for the remainder of my blighted
life. If any one should see you en-
ter here-oh, Ray, gol In PHYS
name, gol"
"Not without you, my darling.
Do you not love me still? ~ asked
the man, reading her tell-tale face.
Yes, ] see you do--loye like ours
cannot die. l will make you my
wife, Helen, if you wish it. I will
get the license tomorrow. Can you
not trust me ?"
ooh, if I only could !" she ex-
claimed, paliug to the lips. "But
your words are as false as your
heart. Leave NE, or l will call for
help
"If you do he returned quietly,
81 will swear that you are my wife
that you have lost your mind. l
will have you AZ any cost. Helen.
All, sweetheart his voice lost its
threatening tone-"come with me
and will make you happy with my
love--I will surround you with ev-
cry luxury
Helen gave despairing cry os he
threw his strong arms about her and
gently lifted her to her feet.
Ray" she said, "grant me one
thing-leave me till tomorrow noon,
then come and take me where you
will.u
"She had struggled from him, and
on her white face was an imploring
look that even he could not resist.
"Ob, Helen, Helen, it is hard TO
60 without you, yet for your sake l
will do it, he said. Sand it is only
until tomorrow -
He fell back pace, yet his eyes
fingered on her curved lips and
round white neck.
She felt the glance and it burned
her like Goals of fire. Tue hot blood
dyed her face with a food of scar
let.
"Go!' she commanded. And az
ter a moment of INDIGESTION he obey
ed her, and quietly left the room.
Sunday morning dawned bright
and clear, but at the eleven o'clock
service of the Salvation Army Helen
was not present.
Mrs. Baldwin felt uneasy about
her, and after the meeting was over
waited to speak to the captain. He
did not wait for her to theorize af-
ter she told her story.
"Come with me-let US seek her,'
he cried impetuously. "She was
never absent before. Perhaps"
ooh, he has not come YETI said
Mrs. Baldwin, divining his fear.
"Shc only received the letter yester-
day"
AS they started up one stairway a
man faultlessly dressed assembled the
other. 1t vas Helen's visitor.
They met at the landing and paus-
ed before Helen's door. The cap.
tain gave the man quick, compre-
hensive glance, while Mrs. Baldwin
raped.
There was no response. She open.
ed the door, sudden fear upon her,
and walked in ; the two men follow.
ed.
Upon her little white bed lay Hell.
en-. Her sweet face was calm and
smiling, and marble white; it was
marble cold as we'll. In her hand
was a paper. The captain quickly
seized it and read:
at is the only way I can resist
temptation. God will understand
and forgive me. Ray, try to live
better life for the sake of Helen, who
loved you. Goodby."
The captain turned to speak bitter
words to the man who was the cause
of this sad tragedy, but he had
gone.
Truth Terse!y Told.