Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-23

p HIS ucdfl.
What is il? He knew, but hardly
Acknowledged T. He had honor, posi-
| ton, wealth. He retired TO rest. Some
thing seemed lacking. He could not
sleep. Memory brought up the vision
OF Marguerite Thorn as he saw her that
night when he held her for moment
| in his arms. He seemed almost to fee.
the soft lips against his own and the
touch OF her wavy hair upon his cheek.
| II was ten years since that night He
mad never allowed himself TO think OF
. 1t before Now he could not shut out
/ her haunting face. 1t was a terrible
memory. He was not weak, but many
a tear dampened the pillow Of the
proud man that night. AT last he
slept When he awoke in the morn
| ing ne was himself again. In the
halls OF Congress he spoke, man
among men.
Some weeks thereafter there was a
splendid gathering of the wealth. beau
ty and talent of Washington. At that
gathering Vernon Grey again met her
who was once Marguerite Thorn. He
looked at her curiously as a friend
presented them. He was surprised.
Mrs. Davis, we meet as old friends
de we not?" he said as ne took her fair
hand
Most certainly she answered though
l. iohf in
voice. He judged that he had touched
her pride He requested her to take his
arm. He noticed how admiring eyes
followed her as she leaned upon it. He
had only noticed her face at first, and
now he glanoA at her magnificent dress
and observes Che diamonds that gill;
tered at her throat. Keeping up the
light conversation he was thinking,
Dress! pride! Yes, she is certainly
satisfied" He learned that evening that
she was widow, that she had just ar
rived in Washington. Ferdinand Day.
Is had died abroad. He had met his
death in falling from horse at hunt
ing party, SO she had returned to her
native land free He handed her to her
carriage that night, and If there had
been the slightest foundation to sup
POSITION that Mrs. Davis was unhap-
by, Vernon Grey might have thrilled
with all his boyhoods fondness. She
hade him goodnight courteously and
calmly.
He smiled bitterly as he rode to his
elegant lodgings, smiled in derision that
he thought for a moment that such
woman as Marguerite Davis could not
live without love.
1t was cold, dreary day and every
thing wore d ismal look in WaAhiEg-
ton. 1t was such day as made one
wish for home, cherry and cosy. Grey
paced his room restelessly. A SER
want interrupted him in his hurried walk
with letter. He glanced at the deli
cate chirography, tried to guess who
could have written it, and broke the
seal. 1t was very brief and ran:
vernon Grey: l am very i'll. Will
you come to-
MARGUERITE DAVISc"
He lost not a moment Something
seemed to interest him now He for
got that the sky was gloomy and the
streets sloppy. Very soon his carriage
set him down at the residence of Mrs.
Marguerite Davis. He trembled slight
ly as he was waiting, after the servant
took up his card Upon her return he
followed silently. AS he entered the
room he scarcely realized that ten
years stood between the woman he saw
before him and Marguerite Thorn
She was dressed plainly, reclining upon
a sofa. There was the same flush on
her cheeks, the same disorder Of her
wavy hair. Vernon Grey took a step
forward.
Marguerite, he said, as she rose to
her feet to meet him. Painting, she
fell back upon the sofa. He sprang
forward and took her in his arms. He
bathed her face tenderly. Once he
called her darling" When she re-
turned to consciousness and opened
her eyes there were tears in those
which were looking at her fondly.
YEARLY she closed her own and nes-
tied in the arms that held her, crying
bitterly.
"oh, Vernon, Vernon, have been
so wrethed! Give me your love again
or l shall die"
He answered her with a passionate
clasp. a dozen burning kisses. Sup
porting her tenderly, he told her by
and by how dreary all his life had been
without her.
Marguerite" he said, 81 have had
success, | have had wealth, but have
had no love. for l wanted none but
yours have been bitterly unhappy,
darling, but now l can ask for moth
ing more"
Then observing how frail she was, he
said
you must live, Marguerite, live for
my love. We will be very happy in