The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-03-18

were an easy task to lay bare, as he had already
DONE his heart his love- his anxiety, his
disappointment, his despair but to invade the
sanctty of Marguerites heart to lay bare the
miserable secret which burdened her llfe-and
now bid fair to destroy not only happiness but
life itself-seemed impossible. For moment it
seemed as if it were better that he should meet
whatever fate the trial held in store for him than
unveil the mystery of her life at the bidding OF
his friends. The blood forsook his brain; he
could not think; then rushing back to his heart
left his cheeks pallid, as he cast about in his
mind for words with which to begin, for her
sake the pitiful story. His words came brokenlN
as he spoke; telling them first of the mountain
home where dwelt love and peace and happiness
of the fond parents and their only child, whom
they cherished as the idol of their heart; of the
tragic death of the father leaving desolate home
and of heart-broken wife the only protector
of their child.
"a mere child" he cried. "over whom scarce six
teen summers had passed, when he, the monster,
the serpent entered this paradise, to rob 1t OF
its chiefest treasure" His voice was broken by
the pulsing of his heart. He seemed to lose sight
of his surroundings. He forgot that he was speak
ing to others; he thought aloud.
cit was into the secuslon OF this home-thls
life-the innocent life of young girl, he came
mere child, pure as the lilies she wore on her
breast" At the thought, Darralls face was trans
formed His livid, trembling lips could scarce
frame the words he wished to utter; they were
incoherent.
"He dared to fold her in his arms, to bid her
good-bye!-to pollute her chaste lips with a kiss
- Then-with false vows of love, with false
promises, he lured this innocent, trusting child.
who knew nothing of the world, to leave with him
her home; lured her away from her mothers
protecting care she thinking that, like her father
he meant to steal her away, as her father had
said he would have stolen her mother, if his suit
had been denied" For moment he paused
for his mind was in tumult-only for a moment
while he sought fitting words for Marguerite's
vindication.
Don't forget my friends, she was young, very
young; without experience of the world and its
ways. The false-seemed true to her. The das
tards honied words, had all of the sweetness OF
a true mans vows AS she listened she gave him
her Northumberland he gave to her in return-he
gave to her--a false name; bound her to him
with a false ceremony of marriage. He ruined
her life and left her, But-he left her a0ith
soul unSued By contact 10ith his gross nature"
Completely unnerved by the recital, Darrall paced
back and forth the narrow confines of his CELL
while Sohern and Randolph talked together in
low tones apart
Having finally succeeded in regaining sufficient
composure to proceed with his story, Darrall re-
sumed his seat.
"My friends there is but little left to add to
this recital of Marguerites story which l see
has stirred you, it has 1t was by degrees
that the mother learned of the wrong to her
child for in the wildness those days news trav-
eed slowly. sothern supplied to me the missing
link, accounting for his sudden departure In
her own heart the mother buried her secret, and
with loving wiles, persuaded her daughter to ac-
company her to Virginia, representing that She
had business with her husbands financial agent,
Col Carter, to whom she revealed her secret
anxiety. The suspense the strain of the conceal
ment of her fears for her child, combined with
the grief with which her heart was already bur
dened soon told upon her health. Her physician
ordered change of scene. Col. Carter advised