Melvin G. Winstock

“ I hate them all. I would throttle, and at the same time strangle, the indignation of society. I would bitterly enrage these dogs who fawn on me.”
“And use me as the instrument? What, then, shall become of me?” said Paul.
“You? Why, Paul, you shall be the central moving figure,” said Ouida.
“What care I? Use me as you will. ’Tis enough for me to know that you but reach your hand.”
“Come to my arms then again,” she cried in the ecstacy of this novel and entrancing emotion. “Let us revel in delight, you pauper! You dog! You base born thing, to whom vile society would scarcely throw a crumb!” ”

“ We can no longer hold up beneath the world's black frown," said Horatio.
"That is the talk of the moral coward," said Salmon, boldly. "Come, I know your story. Draw out your strength, your manhood. Fate brought me here in time. You both shall live to look upon this hour with shame."
"He is right," said Ouida, arousing herself with mighty effort. "Look up, my love, we may yet wring from fortune's grasp a noble fate. ”

“ Ouida, quickly shamed into atonement, said: "Lucile!"
Quickly and gladly the joyous girl bounded back, and almost tearfully said: "Is my mistress angry with me?"
"Child," said Ouida, "I angry with you!" The great creature stooped and kissed Lucile's forehead. "I am troubled with the nasty world."
Left alone, the artist paced the floor of her boudoir like a lioness from whose breasts her cubs had been rudely torn.
"I hate them all. None can be trusted. This one seemed nobler than the rest. I revealed more of the woman in me to him than to any creature born. See how he repays me, my art. ”

“ The preacher looked ashamed of himself, but Paul, now thoroughly aroused, was almost bursting with defiance; but Ouida had him absolutely under control, and when she commanded him with decisive voice to bring her an ice, he went, submissive like a dog.
"And you, sir," turning to the preacher, "what right have you to give way to vulgar differences with Paul?"
"I have no excuse to offer, save my adoration of yourself," said he, humbly.
"Why vex your soul?" said she filling up with wondrous pity for the man. "Your torment of yourself is useless. ”

“ I heard of extreme poverty being relieved in hundreds of cases. I heard of reading rooms being established for poor working girls. I heard of some mysterious angel going forth upon these varied missions of mercy and humanity. When I investigated, to find out who this was, lo! and behold! Ouida Angelo. And then my heart leaped for joy."
"Her redemption and absolution is complete," said Olivia. "She has gone through the valley of the shadow of death, almost, in the course of this fight with herself."
"And now," said Connors, tenderly, "is there any hope for me?" ”

“ Paul Strogoff had developed a peculiar philosophy since Ouida had sent him into grief. Though singularly fortunate as far as this world goes, though young, though of lusty strength, though possessing the ability to gratify every desire, he loved not life, but death. He had come to the conclusion that what a man gets in life is not by any means sufficient compensation for the struggle through which he goes. If he could have folded his arms quietly and passed out of human existence, he would not have murmured, but with perfect resignation accepted his fate. ”

“ Connors, "that New York was getting very dull and commonplace; that men were beginning, actually, to fall in love with their own wives."
"Don't men always love and respect their wives?" asked Marie.
"Your arcadian simplicity is really refreshing," laughed Olivia.
"Pray, wise one," said Mr. Salmon, "don't endow her with your superior wisdom. I prefer my daughter as she is."
"That's the one great mistake made in our land today, in the rearing of children. They are allowed to grow up in utter ignorance of the things which, if they knew, would save them untold misery." ”

“ And as Olivia Winters departed, her heart was filled with sympathy for the big-souled, independent creature she had just left, and she felt for her a deeper love and affection than for any other woman breathing the breath of life. ”

“ She arose.
“Paul, come near me,” she said, with a voice as seductive as that of a luring siren, “and sit upon this low stool.”
This request was made by her following a flashing, unaccountable mental freak, that filled Paul with pleased astonishment!
“I am your willing slave,” he said, as he did her bidding.
“Do you love any woman?” said Ouida.
“I dare not answer,” said the model.
“Dare not answer? Have I not asked you? What do you fear?” said the sculptress.
“Myself,” said Paul.
“He who cannot master himself is like the beast of the field.” ”

“ His field of operation lay among the poor, the forsaken, the down-trodden of the slums. Many a time he had gone down into the gutter to uplift the fallen and degraded creatures, who were abandoned by the big churches to their fate. Gradually he won for himself a distinctive place in the real affections of the common people. He became a familiar figure in the humbler quarters, and often money came to aid worthy causes from an unknown source. It came from Paul, but Horatio Nugent never knew. ”

“ As the preacher passed from her, Paul returned, looking dark and gloomy.
"There is your ice, Ouida," said Paul, striving to control himself. "Would that my heart were like it, so that you might devour it. I do not like that man."
"Why, Paul?"
"He comes too often to you. Nay, do not deny it. He loves you, but you do not love him," he fiercely said. ”

“ Doane evidently saw reflected in the doctor's eye, his own fatal condition, and with almost superhuman strength, he lifted himself upright in bed. 'Will I die, doctor?' came rattling from his parched throat. 'There is no hope,' said the physician. 'Then bring me pen and paper,' he said. His wish was complied with. 'I will write,' he said. 'It shall be the bitterest screed that ever wounded quaking souls. I'll sing a song of iron bitterness; a dying legacy to the sons of men. O! I cannot hold a pen within my grasp. I cannot see; all grows dark around me. ”

“ Will you, Paul Strogoff, take as your lawful wife, this woman, Ouida Angelo, and love her, comfort, support and protect, and, forsaking all others, cleave unto her as long as you shall live, and until death shall part you? ”

“ Death, thou hast no sting for me; no terror hath the yawning grave. I die in peace!"
And as he breathed his last, a seraphic smile lighted his whole countenance. The preacher's eyes were raised to God, his soul was wrapped in prayer, while Ouida sank to the floor, her head bowed in utmost reverence. ”

“ Horatio rose to his feet, and said with impressive solemnity:
“I have thought that when two, through their love, pure in itself, had gained but grief and tears, when they had reached that point when starvation, both of body and soul, confronted them like a hideous spectre; when their pride had been stung by pity; when love views love with more than mortal agony, affording no hope; Oh, Ouida, beloved, I have thought ’twere best to end it all with one bold stroke, and solve the mystery of the fate beyond the stars!” ”

“ Leave us alone, to work out our own salvation."
"Will you, dearest Ouida," pleaded Olivia, "thus drive forth two earnest, loving friends, who desire no higher privilege than to stand by your side?"
"Yes, my dear Ouida," said Connors, "I am not without some power. The strongest effort of my life is yours, absolutely, to command."
"No, friends, go your way. With ourselves alone we must conduct this mighty strife. ”

“ Stern though I seem, I love you, my darling child, and your happiness is my one aim in life."
"Then withdraw your opposition to Milton, for I will only be completely happy when you shall admit him to your heart as a son."
"Ah, well," said Salmon with a sigh, thinking of the girl's dead mother, "I will think upon it. I must now go in to see Ouida. I will not be long detained. Remain without until I return."
"I will yet win him over. God alone knows how I have worried over Milton's long and extraordinary silence." ”