Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-01-16

"o' vi DertHa Hlnteu as much.
See, Graham exclaimed Miss Morti-
mer, is not that your wife in the box OPP.
posite us?
Bertha, | declare! How came she
here? and with stranger too ? said Phi
lip, looking in the direction indica.
ted.
Then you don't know him p said
Miss Mortimer. Very elegant in ar
pearance, and very much devoted to his
lair lady, 1 should say; some old lover |
presume
Excuse me, Miss Mortimer, my wife is
too ladylike for inde!icacy,' he answered
sternly.
offended, Philip? and with me!' she
said, turning her eyes plcadingly toward
him. Pardon me, did but JEST
She laid her ungloved hand upon his
arm. But the arts which had charmed
and dazzled the young husband had lost
their power, and he only ansEered polite.
= ava "a II SSolOl Vi regret.
Bertha met his gaze of surprise smiling,
but soon seemed absorbed in the music.
and the remarks OF her companion whose
interest in her comfort was sufficiently
apparent. He seemed well known among
the audience, too D.; for the watchful Philip
noticed many bows and smiles of recoqni.
ton.
There is Mr.. Goldipg, who knows every
body | will ask him the name of your
wife's attendant said Mrs. Mortimer,
who had marked with surprise the dis
composure of Graham, whom as she told
her daughter afterwards, she had suppo.
sed too much a.man of the world to care
for his wife.
Mr.. Golding, pray tell mo the name of
the gent eman opposite the one with the
magnificien: beard and dark eyes?
who ! Why, declare it is my old
fried, Leonard Percy. lie must have ar
rived tosday. He has been four years alb
sent. Imust so round and see him.
see he has found Mrs Graham already.
congratulate you, sir, he continued, turn
ing to Philip,
Congratulate me For what p mutter>
ed Philip in surprise, dim idea entering
his brain that Mr.. Golding meant to insult
him.
The opera was over at last, and resisting
Helen'5 allurlng glances, and Mrs, Morti-
mer's earnest invitation to come in and
spend an hour at cards, Philip fastened
homeward in time TO see a carriage drive
away from the door. Bertha was already
unbinding her tresses when he entered
her chan Der, and in reply to his questions
she only answered carelessly.'
yes, l had an opportunity, and thought
| would improve it, You know it looks
SO stupid for married people to be always
together in public. Leonard is an old
friend of mine, and am glad he has re.
turned. | shall enjoy his society very
much
She was only repeating words which
Philip had used many time when prais-
ing the beauty aud grace Of some now ac,
quaiLtance but they did not seem very
satisfactory now, for he only .muttered
humph, in discontented way, and was
silent.
Bertha saw the success of her scheme,
and laughed mischievously as she laid
down to slumber, and dream, percharce,
Of the sleighride she was to enjoy with her
friend on the morrow. Philip had en-
gagged to ride, too, with Mrs. and Miss
Mortimer; and so it chanced that the two
parties met on the crowded tlo-oughfare,
and he had just time to catch laughing
glance and wave Of the little hand from
his wife as the sleighs dashed past each
other. lie spent that evening at home,
but not alone with his wife; Percy was
there, and Bertha chatted with him,
played for him, and they sang together
songs replete with love and sentiment
songs which he reminded her they had
sung SO often together in the olden
time AT last, angry with himself, his
wife, and his guest, Philip left the room,
excusing himself on the plea of business,
but adding that two such old friends
must have so much to say to each other,
that third person would be almost an
intruder Mr.. Percy looked surprised,
but Bertha answered smilingly;
oh, yes, Leonard, aud have plenty of
subjects Of conversation
Leonard, indeed growled Philip, on
his way to the library. 'Coufound the
fellow, what docs he mean with his old
songs?'
He remained alone till the visitor de-
parted, and could hardly believe his own
ewes when he saw through the half open