The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-04-10
the crowd, most of whom has some slight Of

4
merry remark to bestow on so popular a
character, until he reached the place where
Captain g.. was talking to the Colones wife
and two other ladies seated on an ottoman
The doctor drew Geordie aside; they were
old friends, and begged as = particular favor,
that he would take his wife home, away
from the ball, but without alarming her.
"Alarming her p said Geordie, quite in
the dark as to the others meaning. "Why,
what Blue Beard you would make me out,
doctor She's engaged twelve deep, I'll be
bound and it wants an hour ofsupper time,
and can't get her away. Besides, she's
not tired. Why should she go, you knowG"
To this, DR.. Rogers replied that he begged,
as a favor, that Captain G. would take Mrs
G. home. 1t must he done, and it would be
for the best. And being hard pressed for
hrs reason. the doctor said Mrs. G. was about
to be III. twas his duty to ask her husband
to take her away from the crowded room.
Captain G. laughed ircredulously at first; !;
but it was hollow and forced laugh. 1t
was plai', that he did not believe in his own
disbelief, and he knew the good old Medico
too well to suspect him ofjesting on such a
point. Hisvoice quivered little as he asked
for an explanation.
"Well, if you mny have it," said DR..
Rogers, laying his hand on Geordie's arm,
"there is something wrong with your wife.
| Old Ching noticed it first, and told me of it,
and have seen it myself, and have seen
such thing but twice before, and both times
in China. Pray Heaven that this may not
end as it did in those two instances.
"Speak out, man, you torture me p said
Captain G., grasping for breath and very
pale.
"It is trihing matter, in appearance, at
least" replied DIR. Rogers, gravely and kind
ly 'it is a small black spot on your wite's
face-on her left cheek-that is all, and'-
"And what is it For the sake of all
that's sacred, mhat is it p asked Captain G.,
quite fiercely.
The doctor, noticing how quickly the group
was increasing, drew his friend a few PAGES
back, and whispered something in his ear.
The effect on Georde was terrible. The
brave, strong man trembled visibly, and
shook from head to foot, while his bronzed
face became Of an ashen paleness. Then,
followed by the doctor, who yainly tried to
Eaa xvy'3h ha h,r -
place where his wife was wheeling in the
mazes of the waltz He strobe recklessly in
among the dancers; his wild, haggard looks,
and brusque gestures, caused some confu-
sion and surprise. His wife saw him, and
started, and with a word to her partner stood
still. How beautiful she looked flushed
and excited with the dance, crowned with
flowers. richly, yet tastefully dressed; how
too, her fair English bloom contrasted with
the pallor of most OF the other pretty women
present; how her softly bright blue eyes
rested with wonder on G.. with apprehension
for him, lest he should be ILL., Certainly, if
one of those two We're in mortal danger, any
one would have selected the husband as the
one who bore the marks oft. But G. was
careless Of that. All his soul was in his
gaze, as he beheld in the center Of his wife's
blooming cheek, q small black spot, not
much larger than the head Of large black
pin, and quite circular. 1t did not disfigure
her only keen eye could distinguish it
and, when seen, it resembled one Of those
''beauty patches" which the bellies of the
last century used, to give an additional piq-
uancy to their charms. Yes, there it was,
the black spot the doctor had described.
BY great effort G. smeothed his features
and tried TO smile, as he begged pardon of
the company. He had interrupted them
rudely, he said-they had all left off dancing
by this time-and he begged they would go
on and not mind him. The musicians had
ceased playing. he waved his hand impa-
tiently they went on. His wife approached
him, her partner beside her, naval COM
mander, who did not feel at all disposed to
forego the rest of his dance with the queen
of the ball. "Was he i'll ?" she asked in an
anxious whisper. "No, no. he was not i'll !;
but he wished she would come home with
him directly" He would give no reason
His manner was irritable, harsh, unusual
The young wife looked at him in surprise !;
tears gathered in her mild blue eyes; but
she was not without spirit, and she dashed
them proudly away. She could not leave
yet, she said she was engaged for several
dances. Ifthere was no reason to be given
for leaving so abruptly, she would not be so
uncivl to her partners. And in moment
more the Commodore whirled her off. G.
stood and bit his lips. She danced once,
twice, thrice more. G. stood moodily watch
ing her, the doctor at his elbow. 1t was
sad, agonzing to poor G. to watch that glori-
Gus creature and to know that she bore on
her face the mark of-what ? Even the
doctor shrank from telling G. all he feared.
Her momentary burst of hurt womanly pride
was over the sight of her husbands anx-
ious face disturbed her; her gayety fed /;
the compliments of her partners were un-
heard she begged to be excused left the
gentleman on whose arm she leaned, and
came up to G. with sunny smile, II will
be good now and come home.''
The doctor whispered to G. to introduce
him. G.. hurriedly complied. His wife rec