The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-02
misrellamp.
my HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE,
Nv husband came terderly to my side.
care you going out this evening, lover"

here and there A diamond bracelet encircled
one round, white arm, and a little cross blazed
htfully at my throat. had never looked better
and / felt a 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 yet!'
Where were my wifely instincts, that [ did
mot see the haggard, downcast lock in his fea-
tures-the fevered light in his eye?
81 can't go to night, Madeline; / am not well
enough"
"You are never well enough Gerald, to
oblige me. am tired of being put off with such
excuses"
He made no reply bat dropped his head in his
hands on the table before him.
"Oh come, Gerald" urged petulenty; it is
so awkward for me to 60 alone dI,odys"
He shook his head listlessly.
81 thought perhaps you would be willing to
remain at home with me, Madeline"
"Men are selfish 1 said plaintively; and 1
am all dressed. Claudia took halt an hour for
my hair. dare say you'll be great deal quiet.
err without me-that is if you're determined not
to CO."
No answer again.
"Well, if you choose to be sullen, l can't help
it," 1 said lightly, as turned and went out Of
the room, adjusting my bonnet holder, the Tube
roses and heliotropes seeming to distl incense at
every motion
was 1 hcartless ana cruel I1Ad ceased TO
love nv husband? From the bottom of my
heart I believe that loved him as truly and
tenderly as ever wife loved husband but
had been 50 petted and spoiled all my brief, and
selfish life that the better instincts were, so to
speak, entombcd alive.
went to the party and had my fill of adula-
ton and homage, as usual. The hours seemed
to glide away, shod with roses, and winged with
music and perfume; and, it was net until, wear
n
uge in the half.lighted tea-room, that heard
words awakening me, as it were from dream.
Gerald Glen !"
l could not well be mistaken in the name it
was scarcely common place enough for that
They were talking-two or three business-like
looking gentlemen, in the hall without; and 1
could CATCH now and then, fugitive word.
"Fine, enterprising young fellow!" "Grsat
pity! y "Totally ruined--so Bees g. McNsrken
say" "Reckless extravaganza of his wife,"
All these vague fragments l heard and then
some asked "And what is he going to do ~
"What can he do, poor fellow ! am sorry
but he should have counted his income and his
expenses better"
DOR his wife should Oh, these women they
are at the bottom of all mans troubles"
And they laughed. Oh, how could they?
had yet to learn how easy it is, in this world, to
bear other peoples troubles.
I rose hurriedy, my heart beating tumHltu-
ously beneath the pink azaleas, and went back
to the lighted saloon. Mr.. Albany Moore was
waiting to claim my hand for tho next dance.
"Are you ill, Mrs. Glen How pale you look !"
IL am not very we'll. | wish you would
have my carriage called for me, Mr.. Moore"
For now felt that homo was tbs proper place
for me-
Hurried by some unaccountabls impulse,
sprans out the moment the carriage-wheels
touched the curbstone, and rushed up to my
husbands room. The door was locked, but 1
could IA light shining family under the
threshold. Knocked wildly and persistently
"Gersld, dear Gerald for heavens sake let
me in !"
Something fell upon the marble hearthstone
j. within making a metallic chick, and my husband
opened the door q little way. / had never seen
him look 80 pale before, rigid, yet 90 deter
mined.
"Who are you z" he demanded wildly. "Why
cannot you leave me in peace!'
at is l, Gerald,-your Aadeline--your own
little wife"
And caught from his hand the pistol he was
trying to conceal in his breast--ts mato lay on
the hearth under the mantle-and flung it out
of the window.
"Gersld, would you have left me3"
81 would have escaped" no cried, still hall
delirious, to all appearances. "Debt, disgrace,
misery-her reproachss! would have escaped
them allw
His head FELL like that OF = weary child on my
shoulder. drew him gently to sofa, and
soothed him with a Thousand murmursd words,
thousand mute caresses; for had It not been
all my fault?
And through all the long weeks Of fear that
followed l nursed him With unwavering care
and devotion. had but one thought-one do.
sirs-to redeem myself in his estimation-to
prove to him that l was something more and
higher that the mere butterfly of fashion had
hitherto shown myself.
We'll, the March winds had howled themselves
away into their moutain fastnesses the brill
liant April rain-drops were dried On bough and
spray and now the apple-blossoms were tossing
their fragrant pillows Of pinky bloom in the deep
blue air Of latter May.
Where are We nowP
1t was picturesque little villa, not far ont OF
PittsbRrg, furnished very like . magnificent ba.
by house. Gerald sat in Q cushioned easychair
in the garden, just where he could glance
through the open window at me, working busily
with my needle
"What an industrious fairy it u.s. he said
smiling sadly.
"Who would have thought you would make 90
notable housekeepsr?"
laughed ylesfully; I had al ohild's dsligh
in being praised.
"Ars you going to Mr.. Dslsnsy's croqsst par.
ty?" he asked.
"No; what do / care for eroquet parties I'm
geing to finish yeur shirts, and you'll read alsud
to me-"
Madeline, want yoa to answer me one ques-
ton"
"What il it?"
"What have you done with your diamoads ?"