Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-10
A Noble
Revenge.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

| Clara Leslie was Gordon Clyde's prom
ised wife, but last night she eloped with
| her lovers bosom friend, Lawrence May
Betrayed by the girl he loved as he did
| bis life, betrayed by the man he trusted
above all others, Gordon Clyde walked up
| and down with rapid strides the best
| room of Leslie Cottage-the room i'll which
| he had spent so many happy hours with
! Clara Leslie.
His handsome features worked as if he
was suffering from some acute inward
pain, his arms We're folded across his broad
| chest, and his chin rested on his bosom.
From far corner Mary Leslie, pret
ty, gentle girl of Is or thereabout, watch
ed him with n sorrowful expression of
countenance and teardrops in her great
dark eyes.
Would he never cease that rapid walk /!
Would he never speak TO her: What could
she say to calm the tempest which was
raging in that strong mans bosom.
Such We're Mary's thoughts, when sud
denly Gordon stopped walking and said
tiercely:
81 hate her! l hate him, and as surely
as 1 am standing here l will some day be
revenged upon them bothl''
And he flung himself into a chair
'Oh, Gordon, Gordon, don't talk like
that!' And Mary crossed over to where he
was sitting and put her ara around his
neck. Il know she has wronged you-he
has wronged you, but Vengeance is
mine, saith the Lord, and 1 will repay.
Leave them to him, Gordon.
He threw off the hand that clasped his
neck and sprang to his feet.
Don't preach to me, Mary Leslie OF
course you'd like to save your cousin, but
I'll be revenged on her! | hate even the
name of Leslie, and I'll leave this house,
that has been my curse, never to enter it
again!''
The young girl stood Mortified for mo-
ment, but as Gordon rushed past her to
the door she cried:
"Gordon, Gordon, listen to mer'
The words, which seemed wrung from
her heart, reached his ears. He gave one
backward glance He saw two outstretch-
ed arms and a white, agonized face. For
a moment he hesitated, but it was only
for a moment; the next he was gone.
Gonel Mary Leslie sank upon the floor
and burst into tears. Ever since she could
remember she loved Gordon Clyde. She
never thought her tickle minded cousin
good enough for him. Child as she was,
she long ago foresaw what was going to
happen, and how often she had prayed
that Clara would be true TO Gordon
"Oh, if he only knew how much l care
for him, he would not say he hated the
name of Leslier' moaned Mary.
Gordon Clyde was one of the wealthiest
men in his native place. He always lived
on his money without having profes-
sion or occupation, and, as n matter of
course, it was the cause of much comment
when he made known his intentions of
going to the metropolis to engage in some
business.
1t was bitter cold winters night. The
snow lay thick upon the ground, and the
wind whistled through the city streets.
A gentleman, well muffled from the bit
ing wind, was hurrying along the deserted
street, when a woman stepped up to him.
"For Gods sake, sir, help mel My hus-
band is dying, and my little one is starv-
ing!'
The woman's teeth chartered with the
cold as she spoke, but it was not her chat
tering teeth nor pitiful story that made
the gentleman turn and gaze intently at
her blue. pinched face.
Great God, Clara Lcslier' he cried
Gordon Clydei''
And the woman shiyered as If with a fit
of ague.
For four long years Gordon Clyde had
waited for this hour. The wretchedly clad
woman must nave noticed the pitiless look
in his eyes, for she cried:
Gordon Clyde, I sinncd against you
he sinned against you; but our punish
ment has been great. Misfortune has fol- |
lowed us since the night I'VE left my aunt's
cottage. He is dying, and am in the
street begging such night as this. Have
mercy upon us, Gordon Clyde. or We'll |
perish''
She raised her hands beseechingly as she |
spoke. She saw his features relax, and |
the pitiless gleam was no longer in his |
eyes.
Vengeance is mine, and / will repay,
saith the Lord Leave them to him, Cor
don"
Mary Leslie's voice sounded in his ear |
once more. All, how often had those words |
rung in his ears during the last four years!
But the demon of hatred within him |
would not let him heed them. His |
thoughts went back to Mary Leslie now |
us he looked down on the woman that had |
30 cruelty betrayed him.
After an absence of four years Gordon |