The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-06-26
MY HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE

Ny husband came t,udcrly to my side
Are you going out this evening, lover
"os course | am
looked down complaeently at ny
dress OF pink crepo, dcw-dropped ovcr
with chrystal, and the trails OF pink
azaleas that caught up its folds here and
there. \ diamond bracelet cncirc!ed one
round white arm, and little cross bluzed
iitfully at my throat. | had never looked
better, and felt sort of girIish pride
as my eye met the fairy reflection 10 the
mirror.
"Come, Gerald, make haste why
you havn't begun to dress yeti
Where were my wifely instincts that
did not see the haggard, drawn look ia
his features-the fcvcrcd light in hi,
eyes!
II can't go tonight, Madeline-I an
not we'll enough"
- ou are never ~ II enough to ObligC
mc, Gerald. l am tired of being pu. Of
with such excuses"
He made no answer, but dropped hi,
head ia his hands, on the table before
him.
"0h. come, Gerald" I urged, petu
lantly. "lt is so awkward for inc to e
alone al'eay :"
lie shook his head listlessly.
Il thought perhaps you would be wi!
liag to remain at home with me, Madel
inc"
Men are so selfish 90 I said, plaintive
ly; land atm all dressed. Claudia tool
half an hour for my hair. dare say
you'll be great deal quietcr wilhou
me-that is, If you are determined not Il
60"
No answer again.
"Well, If you choose to be sullen,
can't help it," | said, lightly. as tdrnct
aud went out of the room, adjusting M,
silver boquet-holder, the tnberoses ant
heliotropes seeming to distil incense a
every motion.
Was | heartless and cruel? Had
ceased to love my husband From th'
bottom of my heart believe that loved
him as truly and tcnderly as ever wife
did, but | had been so spoiled and pettet
all my brief, selfish life, that the bettc
instincts were, SO to speak, entombet
alive
l went to the party, and had my fl
Of adulation aud homage, as usual. The
hours seemed to glide away, shod Will
roses and winged with music and perfume
and it was not until wearied with dancint
| sought momentary refuge in the half
lighted tea-room that heard words wax
ening me, as it we're, from a dream.
Gerald Glen !"
/ could not we'll be mistaken in the
namc-it was scarcely commonplace
enough for that. They were talking
two Or three stout, busincss-like looking
gentemen-in the hall without, and
could catch, now and then, fugitive wore
or phrase.
"Fine. entcrprising young fellow -
"great pity totally ruined, SO Bee
and McMorken say ay!'-reckless cxtrav
agance of his wife 7"
All these vague fragments heard -
and then some one said:
"And what is he going to do now 2"
"What can he do! Poor fellow I an
sorry; but he should have calculated hi
income and his expenses better"
"Or his cife should. Deuce take
these women-thcy are at the bottom o.
all mans troubles !"
And they laughed. Oh! how could
they? l had yet to learn how easy it is
in this world, to bear other peoples
troubles
rose hurricdly up, with my heart
beating tumultously bcnea.h the pink
aSaleas, and went back to the lighted cor.
ridors. Albany Moore was waiting tc
claim my hand for the next redowa.
care you i'll, Mrs. Glen? How pale
you look!"
"I-I am not very well. I wish you
would have my carriage called, Mr.
Moore"
For I felt now that home was the place
for me
Hurried by some unaccountable i'm
pulse, sprang out the moment the car
riage wheels touched the curbstone, and
rushed up to my husbands room. The
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