Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-06-27

opened and she entered smiling and
graceful. Ludington arose. stood for
an instant like one transfgured. and
then swayed toward her in the Grim
son half-light. his breath coming quick.
But with a little frightened cry she
evaded him.
Touch me not" she sobbed. cling
ing to the silken tapestries draping
the doorway. Il belong to another.
Yesterday | married the man | love.
He has showered upon me the love
for which 1 craved and which you
never gave me. In a week we sail for
Europe. But 1 could not go without
saying good-by. Will you, will"
She stretched her hands toward him:
but he saw them not. He stood as one
dazed, the light died from his eyes.
His face was like death. He staggered
to the door and passed out.
The woman burst into tears.
Arthur, Arthur" she cried. Come
back. Don't love me this way. Just
one more word" But her voice only
echoed down the luxuriously carpeted
corridor.
huuiHSton was gone.
Alone in his room, Ludington paced
the floor with mufned tread. His
clenched teeth and twitching fingers
betrayed the turbulent emotions which
were clashing within him.
At last he burst out chokinglyl
"Oh, how l love herl II she but
tyfnnxu n h.
ond self which rises up. like some all
devouring incubus and envelopes me
In its icy mantle and makes a fend OF
me. My God. IL she only knew!"
He sank into a chair, his head fell
to his chest and his strong frame
shook as the quicksand quivers at the
incoming OF the tide.
The feeble, uncertain light OF a
street lamp shone into the room from
without and fickered ghostly over the
walls; and for a long time Ludington
remained thus.
When he raised his face 1t was
CHASTITY, his eyes like steel.
Ludington's friends saw little OF him
that week. Occasionally he was seen
walking the streets in a dazed way,
as If in search of some one. He
seemed to be pitching himself for
some action. To one acquaintance,
who approached him, Ludington -four
ished his agitated hands and shouted
incoherently:
I'm going TO settle this in my own
way"
A hush lay on the great city, and
yet 1t was the busiest hour of her
pulsing life. The evening crowds
we're streaming homeward from their
daily toll, Joy pictured on their faces
by the anticipation of the warm well
come they would receive when their
journey ended.
The huge sky-scrapers, rearing their
imposing crests into the darkening
sky, vomited forth throngs of mer-
chants, stenographers and clerks, who
hurled themselves en- masse into the
waiting stations of the elevated. Sud
denly and without warning, above the
changing Of bells and the hoarse cries
of cabmen, a womans scream rang
out
hO oNoA NACO CAOWQS oQA6Cu lOlWdIQ.
The sight they saw froze them. A tall
man in evening dress stood, as If
dazed, pistol in hand, facing a stylish
ly dressed woman, pale as death.
That night Ludington clasped his
divorced wife in his arms in the pri-
vate supper-room of the restaurant
where they had eaten.
Il did not know you loved me so,
Arthur" she murmured. 81 had no
idea you would take it so. never
have been married since we were d.
vorced. told you so just to try you"
And there settled down over Luding-
ton a great and blessed soul peace.
The doubts that had assailed his mind.
the clouds that had overcast the calm
and serene blue sky of his domestic
happiness were driven away before
the charm of her-his divorced wife's
presence-and he realized that he had
loved her all along.
'Dearest!" 1t was the woman speak
ing.
Yes, sweetheart"
Last time you proposed to me; this
time I propose to you. Shall we be
married again."
Last time" said the man, his voice
choking. You accepted me; this time
accept you"
There was a great contrast between
their first and second weddings. Their
first had been in a grand church, to
the tune Of swelling notes. and in the
presence of q great and fashionable
multitude. Their second wedding was