The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-03-03

Ny husband came tenderly to my side.
a" Are you going out this evening, love 2"
"Of course am"
looked down complacently at my dress
ofpink Grape, dew-dropped over with crys-
tai and the trails of pink azaleas that caught
up its folds here and there A diamond
bracelet encircled one round white arm, and
little cross blazed ftfully at my throat. l
never looked better, and felt a sort of girl
ish pride as my eyes 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 I did
not see the baggard. down look in his fea-
tures-the feyered light in his eyesi
Il can't 60 tonight, Madeline am not
well 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 un the table before him.
"Oh, come, Gerald" I urged petulently
cit is SO awkward for me to 60 alone al.
raysfn
He shook his head listlessly.
thought, perhaps, you would be willing
70 remain at home with me, Madeline
ii" Men are selfish" / said, plaintively,
Sand / am dressed. Claudia took half an
hour TOR my hair dare say you'll be a
great deal quieter without me-that is, il
you are determined not to CO."
q. No answer again.
Well, if you choose to be sullen, can't
help it,n said lightly. as turned and went
out of the room, adjusting my boquet hoi-
der, the tuberose and heliotropes seeming to
distil incense at every motion.
Was heartless and cruel? Had ceased
to love my husband? From the bottom of
my heart, l believed that I 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 instincts were. 81,
to speak, entombed alive.
- went to the party. and had mg fill of
'edulatlon and homage, as usual. The hours
seemed to glide away, shod with roses. and
winged with music and perfume, and it was
not until wearied with dancing. I sought a
-morhentary refuge in the halfIiybted tea
room, that l heard words Weakening me, as it
were. from dream.
"Gerald Glenn p
could not well be mistaken in the name
I'll was scarcely commonplace enough for
that. They were talking-two or three
business like looking gentlemen-in the hall
Iltnout, and could catch now and then a
fugitive word or phrase
q .-fane, enterpnsing young fellow" "Great
pity" Totally ruined, so Bees & me-.
z .arke1 sayl" Reckless extravaganza of
:, All these vague fragments 1 heard. and
tnen some one said, And what is he eoino
-" What eaa he? Poor fellow! am
sorry, but ne should have calculated his in.
come and expenses better.n
Ur his wife should. Oh. the woman
taeY are at the bottom of all mans
troubles =" 'A'ii
And they laughed. Oh, how could thew .
= hsa 70 learn how easy it is in this world
10 bear other peoples troubles.
1.lil rose hurriedly up. with my heart BEATING
somuituoasiy beneath the szaleas. and went
z PACK to the lighted saloon. Mr. Alfred
Moofe was waiting to claim my hand for the
look - Az" paie you
- am not very well. wish Won
would nave my carriage called, Mr.. Moore y
4 for now felt that home was the proper
hurried by some unaceountable impulse
sprang out the moment the carriage wheels
soucned the eurbstone, and rushed mn tn
ny husbands room. The door was locked.
put could see light shining family nm,
Der the threshold. I knocl,oS ,u;I5I..
persistently ~ 'No
let me ini', 'oAe
!. Something fell on the marble hearthstone
Titnin, making metallic click, and INV
nnsoand opened the door little way. 1
nad never seen him look so pale before. or
Do ngld, yet so determined.
n. VINO are youa" he demanded wildly
lWHy can you not leave ma in psaesf'