Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-11-15

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night :" urged Felicita Milford, as her hus-
band rose from the tea-table and took his hat
to go.
"Why not, Fellcita?"
"There are many reasons, Paul. you know
them all {; but if you will persist in leaving
me alone so much, cannot, in my weakness,
promise you the result"
Nevertheless, Paul took his bat and cane
and left, without even an apology, a kiss, or
promise to be back early. Where he spent
all Of his evenings his wife knew not, for he
never told her anything; and she was left in
painful uncertainty as to his course.
Il hope Maxine will not come tonight
or, in fact, again at all, for I am afraid am
getting to think too much of his society, and
he is fond of mine. | can see it in every
word and act, Oh, if Paul would stay at
home in the evening, and try to make himself
agreeable. how happy 1 should be he knows
l am nearly stranger in this place where
be has brought me, and he ought not to
leave me alone, feeling SO lonely all the
time."
Thus solloquized Felicita after Paul had
left her; and, leaning her head upon the ta-
BILE, she wept bitterly.
At length footstep arrested her attention
on the step, then Knock and she wiped the
tear from her cheek and went to the door.
1t was he, Maxine Bancroft, just the one she
most feared to see, and yet the one with
whom she could pass the evening in such de-
lightful converse. Must she summon all her
woman's courage, and tell him at once that
his visits were out ofplace. and uncalled for
in her husbands s absence? She had halfre-
solYed to do it, but once again in his pres
ence, beneath the influence of bis smiles and
his kind courteous words, she found it was
not in her heart to do so.
"Have you been weeping, Mrs. Milford 7"
asked Maxine, after be had Invested himself
of his hat and overcoat, and avaled himself
of seat on the sofa.
Felicita ayerted her face and said "no," at
the same time pleading headache.
"Where is Paul2 Gone again, as usual
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will he be home soon ?"
Felicita assured him she did not know
when he would return, or where he had gone;
Z and she looked ready to cry when she said
it.
Now an opportunity presented itself that
Maxine had long wished for; be would just
say word, and say it very carefully.
SIT is too bad that Paul should leave you
SO much alone if had wife know l ney-
er could find pleasure in others company so
long as I knew she was at home so lonely
and sad."
How long Maxine had wanted to offer
these words of sympathy, and now it was
done; he said it in way that no one else
could, and it did not offend Feiclta, but it
confirmed her in the belief that Paul was
very Indifferent and regardless of her harpi-
ness. Feicita would not for the world have
betrayed her weakness at that moment by al
lowing that naughty tear to come in her eye'
but her hoart was too full, how could she
avoi1it Maxine saw his power, and post
poned further words of coincidence until an
other time. So, turning gaily to Fel;cita. he
proposed game of chess, and with slight
attempt at whistle, he expressed wish
that Paul would come, as he wished to see
him very much.
After Felicita laid aside her sewing and
became absorbed in her game, she almost for
| hot nd in thnc
ty of one whom she liked as well as Maxine
although she dare not acknowledge it. hard.
ly to herself, the evening passed away pleas
antly. .
When Paul returned it was nearly ten o.
clock, and Maxine was still there. After
his little matter was transacted with Paul,
and he bad gone, Felcita expressed regret
that Maxine should come there 80 often in
her husbands absence, and asked Paul if he
thought it was right; and, just Ike any
other woman, who always relates everything
to her husband that she hears, she repeated
what Maxine said in regard to Paul's neg
lecting her so much. and then, ia tears, beg.
ged him to spend his evenings at home since
be had no business to call him away. Bat
Paul was tired and sleepy, and gave his wife
to understand that the subject was not a
pleasant one to aim and, without betraying
the least part of jealousy towards Maxine.
he allowed the subject to end.
!. Paul'and Felieita had been married buta
year, and, that he Gas rather inattentive
husband is plainly eeen. The next evening
and the one succeeding, and in fact every
evening. Paul continued to absent himself
from home, aad finally Felicits did not even
ask him to remain, since she knew it was
wholly useless. He came to eat and aleep,
just as if he had been boarding there, and
then went.away again, either to his Office, er
to some place of amusement, or elsewhere |;
and he appeared willing to allow her the
same privilege, to go or stay, to sit all alone
or have the company Of Maxine, who contin-
usd his visits generally under the plea th at
he wished to see Paul, and would wait until
his return. In this way matters went on un-
til Felicita, finding SO much moro asppinsss