The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-11-11
MY HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE.
wOiAN'S REVELATION.


tai and the trails of pink aZaleas that
canrht ND its folds here and there. A dia'
mond bracelet en6ircled one round white
arm. and a little cross GlaZOned titfuiiy ~
nv throat i had never looked better, ana
! felt sort of girlish pride as my eye met
the fairy reflection in the mirror.
Come Gerald, make haste! Why, you
haven't begun to dress YETI
Where were my wifely instincts, that L
did not see the haggard down in his tea
tures-the feTered light in his eyesP
we'll enough"
you are never well enough to oblige
me, Gerald. am tired of being put Off
with such excuses"
He made no answer, but dropped his
head in his hands, on tho table before
him.
''Oh, come, Gerald" urged retuently;
sit is so awkward for Inc to go alone al
ways"
He shook his head, listlessly.
81 thought perhaps, yon would be will
ing to remain at home with me, Made
line"
AMEN are selfish ~ I said plaintively;
land am all dressed. Claudia took half
an hour for my hair. I dare say you'll be
a great deal qnietcr without me-this is, if
You are determined not to go"
No answer again.
"Well. if You choose to be sullen. can't
help it, l said, lightly, as turned and
went out of the room, adjusting my boqnet
holder, the tnbe-roses aid hpliotrOpes
seeming to distill incense at every motion
Was I heartless and cruel ? From the
bottom of my heart, believe that loved
him as truly and tenderly as ever wife
did; but had been SO spoiled and petted
all my brief, selfish life, that the better in
stincts were, so to speak, entombed alive
went to the party, and had my I'll of
hours seemed to glide away, shod with
roses, and winged With music end per-
fume; and it was not UNTIL wearied with
dancing. l sought a monetary refuge in
the halflightod tea-roOm, that I heard
words Weakening ne, as it were, from
dream.
"Gerald Glenr"
could not well be mistaken in the name
it was scarcely commonplace enough for
that. They were talking-two or three
business-Iike looking gentlemen, in the
hall without-and l could catch now and
then fugitive word or phrase.
Fine, enterpIising young fellow o.
"Great pity !" Totally ruined" SO Bees
& McMorken say. Reckless extrava-
gance of his"
All these vague fragments heard; and
then some Que said, land what is he going
to do now 2"
what can he do2 Poor fellow! am
sorry but no should have calculated his
income and his expenses better"
'Or his wife should. Oh, these women |!
they are at the bottom of all mans trou-
blesr'
And they laughed. Oh, how could they2
had yet to learn how easy it is. In this
world, to bear other peoples troubles!
rose hurriedly up, with my heart beat
ing unanimously beneath the pink aza-
Ieas, and went back to the lighted saloon
Mr.. Albany Moore was waiting to claim
my hand for the next dance.
'Are you i'll, Mrs. Glen9 How pale you
look!'
IL am not very well. l wish you
would have my carriage called, Mr.. Moore
For now felt that home was the proper
place for me.
Hurried by some unaccountable impulse,
! sprang out the moment the carriage
wheels touched the curbstOne, and rushed
up to my husbands room. The door was
locked; but I could see light shining
family under the threshold. l knocked
wildly and persistently.
Gerald, dear Gerald! for heavens sake,
let me i'm"
Something fell on the marble hearth
stone within, making metallic click, and
my husband opened the door little way.
I had never seen him look 80 pale before,
or so rigid, yet so determined.
WHO are you!" ne demanded, wildly
"Why cannot you leave me i'll peacei"
at is l, Gerald--your Madeline-your
own little WIFE"
And l cansht from his hand the pistol
he was trying to conceal in his breast-lts
mate lay or the marble hearth, under the
mantel-and flung it out of the window.
Gerald would yon have escaped! y he
cried, still half delious to all appearances.
"Debt-disgrace-miser reproaches.
l would have escaped them allr'
His head fell, like that of n weary child,
on nv shoulder i drew him gently to a
sofa and soothed him with a thousand
murmured words-a thousand mute ca.
ressesi For had it not all been my fault
And through all the long weeks OF fear
that followed nursed him with unwaver-
ing care and devotion. / had but one
thought-one desire-to redeem myself IN
his estimation; to prove to him that was
something more and higher than the mere
butterfly of fashion l had hitherto shown
myself!
Well, the march winds had howled
themselves away into their mountain fast
sesses; the brilliant April rain-drops We're
dried on bough and spray; and now the
apple blossoms were tossing their fragrant
pillows of PINK bloom in the deep blue
air of latter May.
Where were We nowg
1t was picturesque little villa, not ial
out of Pittsburg; furnished very nhen
like magnificent baby-house. Gerald sa'
in n cushioned easy chair in the garden,
Just where he conld glance through the
open window at ME, working husliy with
my needle.
What an industrious fairy it isl" he
said, smiling sadly.
We'll, you see. like IL! It's great
deal better than those sonatas on the
piano"
who would ever have thought You
would make so notable housekeeper 2"
laughed gleefuliy-I had all child's
delight in being praised.
Are you not going TO Miss Delaney s
croquet party p he pursued.
No; what do care for croquet parties!
In going to finish your shirts, and you'll
read aloud to ne -
Madeline, want you to answer me one
Question"