Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-07-06
NJ a G G i e S Fl c art

happy tears running down bis checks,
thanked heaven for his escape. and pray
ell blessing upon his wife, and forgot
himGer aud thirst, everything but that he
was in the light once again. and near
her.
The day had passed on; Mr.. Atkins
/ had searched in vain for tidings of the
4 escaped man. And so evening had fallen
/ upon the house. and brought its shadows
and its hlackness of coming storm.
Maggie is very quiet this evening ex-
euses herself from singing or playing.
pleads headache, leans back on her cush-
iored chair. weaves the picture OF her
/ future life.
Size has her shell on the little table
beside her. and the party smile as she
puts it TO her ear even without opening
her dyes. The shell is whispering its
story for the very last time to her. and
she smiles and holds 1t lovingly; and it
is playing her false-will not sive her
one hint of the coming end.
Rather earlier than usual the party
break up. and prepare for bed. The
thunder begins to grumble in the dis
lance, and a little fash Of lightning
comes quickly through the stained glass.
showing purple and yellow streaks, and
then they say good night.
Maggie dismisses the maid. and says
she will only trouble her TO take down
her hnir; which she does, and then re-
tires; and the headache disappears as
if my enchantment, and she is consider
ing deeply.
1T is a terrible risk" she says, in a
hushed voice. But better than than he
should proclaim it in the hall before the
very servants-aud he might even do
that. the nadman!"
Ther she blows ont the lights, and
cautiously opens the door ever 50 slight
ly. and listens. Presently the little pat
ter Of large drops Of rain coming slowly
down. but dashing with piash on to the
leaves. and then binding fash Of light |
ming, making all the staircase as light |
as day, and followed by roar Of thun- !
der that shakes the house.
She actually Smiles this brave woman. |
for she says presently. softly. How for
tunater' And she goes to the wardrobe |
and takes out large waterproof cloak. |
Then size puts it on, pulling the hood |
over her head. and taking up all her |
skirts in her hand, waits for the hour.
It comes; little silver ting.-tinG-
ting!-and she mechanically counts |
twelve; then. setting her lips firmly. she |
takes n deep breath, and darts on to
the staircase swiftly, and without a foot
full rerceptible even to the incest ear.
Another bright fash and the white, |
stern, half-smiing woman looks like
black spirit gliding down the stairs. hold
ing on by The balustrades, and waiting q
moment at the bottom.
Another roar and dash of water, and
she is at the door of the room next the
staircase leading into the conservatory;
and before the cracking echo has died
away over the house, the door is open,
and she is In the conservatory.
She stands among the shrubs and
plants. and understanding blossoms, and
the lightning plays upon them. and lin
gers round the catch of the glass door.
and she, turns the little key swiftly, and
prepares to descend. but she is caught
by the hand and dragged to a mans
breast. who tries to cover her with his
ragged coat. which he has taken off 10
wrap round her, to protect her from the
rain, now pouring down in foods.
He has not had the gentleman quite
crushed ont of him vet. this ragged man:
and so he murmurs an apology for the
weather and sits down by her side. hold
ing her hand tightly in his.
She takes it away presently, not rough
ly or harshly, for she is in the presence
of her husband-the man who, to keep
her dry. had got drenched to the skin.
aud sits here in his shirt sleeves, with
the wet pouring from him; mad, truly,
h1t something of the gentleman with it
all
Then she moves to the other side of
the rustic table. and asks, in suppressed
determined tones, We'll, what is it you
wish to say to me?"
What is it. Mageie?" replies the man,
shlvering as he hears the sweet, cold
tones. Can YOU ask?-can you not
guess?"
No." she returned II cannot guess,
unless. indeed. you want money"
Maggie" says George, with sohs,
for heavens sake don't insult me, if |
have fallen. II you have ceased to care
for me. | will so away from you for
ever, but-but you never meant what
You said Just now
NO. George I did mott beg your
pardon" aud her own eyes are not free
from suspicion of moisture
He PUSHES to her and she sees the
terrible mistake she has made She |
cannot help Il. but he is kissing her lips /
and cheeks, and for moment there is
the greatest change in her; for in this lit
tie space. the whole Of her life flashes
before her, and finishes OF the dreary
lodgings
Then he pleads 10 her. and bids her
remember the past; the happy days at
durham, the loving dnlliance in their
married live, TIE pleasant little home; |
for the sake Of the spinster aunts, # all |
that she held most dear. TO help him to |
got out OF the country and TO come and |
join him
Maggie, he says. Il know we shall |
have 10 rough it for a few yearS-per- |
haps want the common necessaries Of !
life; but what is that compared to hap |
piness: And | can work, though am |
rather weak snow; | can work. Maggie |
yes. yes. l got through the earth to |
come 10 sOu--ha, ha"'
He has been sane 10 this moment. but |
this is sheer madness, she thinks: and |
she replies, quietly and firmly. but in
terribly Impressive voice, "Hark We,
George Temple, thought you were
dead, and | have formed other connec-
ticns, made other friends, love another. |
to whom 1 am about to be married"
mo. no. he shrieked; "they told me
so, hut they were mad-yes, mad. You
cannot marry anOther-you my Nifpw