Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-12-20

/ NhDh9 utitS7 uau DStH lSIlcICQ "
poverty, and circumscribed in feelin,
and action; and, as he recalled thes
facts, he Judged her lcniently an
without the shadow OF reproach. Ii
had never attempted to dissuade he
from the course she pursued hat
never discouraged her visits to tn
opera when accompanied by thos
friends upon whose judgment h,
could rely but tonight, as he sa
alone, and thought Of her so re
splendent, 50 fascinating, and so low
ing, his feelings began to change
She was young, younger by ter
years than he she was scarcely
eighteen and he more than twenty
eight. What if the world, always
50 eager to denouncc the thopghtless
should take her name upon its lips
and sally its purity with its polluted
breath She was but a child yet,
chasing butterfly society, operas,
balls were new to her; she was gath
cring her flowers whilst the fresh
dews Of morning lay glittering upon
them, not thinking Of the thorns
which lurked among them. AS
Chester Startling thought Of these
things, lis heart seemed to die with
in him bis child-wifo, his Myrtle,
was in danger Of which her inno-
cence had never dreamed, and to save
her was his resolve.
1t was New Years morning a
week after the incidents recorded in
the last chapter. Chester sat alone
In his library. his lips compressed,
and look Of doubt and trouble
resting in his iDe eyes Presently
his wife entered in obedience TO his
summons; aud, as he made room
for her at his side, the trouble in his
eyes grew denser, and the lines about
his mouth more rigid She was
dressed in morning-robe Of crimson,
lined with white, and faced with
swansd0wn f.; and, as she toved care
lessly with tho heavy silken tassels,
Chester thought he had never seen
her look 50 lovely. "You received
my message did you ?" he inquired,
scarcely knowing what 10 say.
Eyes, but had half a mind not to
obey YOU" she replied, CHANGING
brightly into his face. Il have been
rs busy as a bee All the morning get
ting ready for Mrs Fortcsque's party
tonight am to personate Win
ter and am having the loveliest gray
velvet dress made, Just the color of
winter clouds, trimmed with down
in imitation Of snowfalges, and am
having my diamonds reset to repre-
sent iciclos." She looked up into
his face as she concluded her nara
ton, and, startled by its pa!ior, ex-
claimed "What is the matter, Chos-
ter? Tell me, darling, tell mel"
Tie put his arm around her, 40
said he, in voice which
he vainiy endeavored u steady, ARE
you 20 welded to the vanities Of the
world hat it would kill you TO bo
divorced from them p
Welded to them Divorced from
them !" she repeated, vaguely
what do you mean? Why 10 you
not explain?'
lie looked into her face as sacrnly
as he could eff | should tell You
that this house and furniture, your
and servants and equ;p-
age could ia some degree meet the
demands Of hungry, nay, insatiatc
creditors, what would be your re-
ply p
The truth burst upon her like a
peal Of thunder from cloudlcss sky.
ah3 was unprcpared for it; two
years before she had assumed an ex-
allied position, and she had worn the
honors il conferred as regally IS a
queen wears the crown destined to
hcr at her birth. Myrtle loved
splcndor aud gayety as dearly as the
summer bird loves sunshine and
warmth, but she loved her husband
and his honor beyond all else. She
did not realize it in its full force IN
I'll he added go
"When we were married, Myrtle,
| had this property and all its ap-
purtenances decided to You, AS the
record now stands, they are yours
personally, rs much so as arc the gar
meuts in which you are clad. Make
your own decision, darling, take
your own time. The law cannot rob
you OF these things if you wish"
The true nobility Of womanhood,
which had been slumbering in Myr-
ties nature like a diamond within q
scaled casket, displayed itself as she
twincd her white arms about her
husbands neck. 81 do not need time
10 decide this matter, Chester" She
exclaimed. migrate, indeed, would
| be could talter now. Take all,
everything. Leave me but y0T love.
Chester, and my own health, and |
ask nothing else"
But, Myrtle, does not the p, os-
pcct seem dark, indeed ? 70 be be-
roft Of the wealth and luxury in
which we have revealed, the purple
and fine linen in which we have
been clothed every day, the society
and gayety in which You have de-
lighted so much, the
Hush, Chester, do not refer to
that How reckless, how careless, !
have been How has your love ev-
er survived my negligence Of your
comfortp
You shall not upbraid yourself,
he replied, firmly, though affection.
ately. If fault exists at all, it i:
mine, not yours. Your were young
and, although chained myself, | urg
ed your freedom upon you
Explain to me, Chester, how thi:
state Of affairs came about, she said
after awhile. Have not my wilfu
extravagances been your ruin? An
not to blame as the sole cause p
Not at all, he replied. 'All,of my
life my business has been in the
hands of agents. l have been al
idler in the vineyard. | have never
withheld my wealth when it could il
the least contribute 10 your happi
nnes or my own Rut sinra naisfor