The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-29

assured her it would be a pleasure, and in
few moments returned with the papers.
She read the long list Of dead. and lin
gered over one name, reading 1t two or
three times, and mentally exclaiming:
HE is with them. Thank God that
dark secret is buried forever
Uncle Owen tarried in the parlor later
that evening than usual. They were
heard to laugh louder than seemed proper
to Mrs. Redgrave. who was listening, and
altogether they appeared to be enjoying
| themselves too much.
When Uncle Owen left the Parlor he
was accosted in the hall by his nephew,
John Redgrave, half tipsy as usual.
Say, Uncle Owen" said John; "you
got rid o her."
"Whom do you mean, John?"
THAT Melina Montrose. I've heard
something o her that convinces me she
amt fit to live under the same roof with
me-"
Then, you get from under the roof,
| the indignant uncle answered. and push
| ing him aside went to his own apartments.
| Uncle Owen was in love; there was no
longer a doubt OF it. The mysterious
beauty whom he had SO Economically met
had won his heart. When John Redgray We
next approached him, and said he was
going to marry Lille Bunkies. and wanted
| some money, he was so softened that he
generously gave him $500 for his wedding
| outfit.
| That evening Uncle Owen and Malina
sat close together, and talked in lower
and more earnest tones than usual Never
| before had Uncle Owen evinced so much
| interest in any woman, and had Mrs. Red
grave been listening she might have had
good cause to be alarmed. for they sat
| on the same sofa and he was actually hold
| ing her hand in his.
Mr.. RedS.ave, you have been very kind
to me-" said Malina. making gentle effor,
| to withdraw her hand. 81 ought not to
accept this hospitality-and l will not sc
soon as l can get away"
mo, no, Malina, don't talk that way
said Uncle Owen, his heart palpitatinG
wildly.
| 1T is wrong for me to be here"--
| NO, no; Heaven does nothing wrong
and il was Heaven that sent you to me,
he whispered, fondly clinging to the little
hand, which she sought In vain to free
| oh, Malina, you do not know how darl
| and gloomy my life has been. Your pres
ence has brought sunlight to my soul. 1r
short, Ialina, l love you. / am a plair
business man. i can not speak with tn,
| e.Oquence of a rhetorician, but ] have {
heart as large and warm as those from
whose lips flow the most elegant words o.
|
me in return?"
"Oh no, no; don't-it can't be true. Civ,
me time-time to reflect" she answered
pressing her hands to her throbbing tenn
pies
You shall have all the time you want
Only, for Heavens sake, don't refuse me
If you can ever love me, don't drive from
me the only happiness have ever known.
Three days was the time she asked. Sh
lnI t.a, ~
all her comforts had been provided TO
without even suggesting a want. He
proud spirit had been Inundated, espe
cially, as Mrs. Redgraye made her feel sh
was not welcome. Never in all he
strange, mysterious life had Malina fel
so light a heart. Shut in her room tina
night she sank upon her knees and witt
clasped hands returned thanks to God.
1T is gone-the dark cloud has fOreve
passed away: and he loves mel can b
his wife-the only one i ever loved"
Late that afternoon she went to the VII
. lage post office to mail a letter. She wa
detained later than she expected, an
. darkness had spread over the earth, an
: the moon had risen when she returne
! homeward. The moons rays fell lik
silver sheen on the broad white carriage
way. making it almost light as day.
She had nearly reached the house whe
2 man stepped from behind tree, direct
5 before her. He was tall. with black hal
5 and whiskers. sharp foreign features, an
face Of marble wilderness.
. stop: ! want to talk with your" b
) said. II have 1t he-e," and he held befor
her eyes some oftic..ll papers.
She uttered shrek and turned to d.
Quick steps pursued her, and just in til
dow OF the grove q hand seized he
2 shoulder. Uttering scream she san
insensibls to the earth.