Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-07-01
SET.ECTEl) ssssTonx
THE WIFE'S MISTAKE.
BY CAROLINE CONRAD.

Yes, papa.
The wild childish c1 cs dusky with fright
the Young cheek colorless.
MY poor little Alice, don't look so scared
You shall mar y no one less you like "
1T isn't that; it's you, papa Arc you
are you going to die
Mr.. Loring knew he was dying man,
but 70, her sake, he temporized.
I hope not, dear. [ am not quite so we'll
and it would relieve my mind very much tc
feel that you had protector, in case
should notch, my pet, | may recover and
live years, you know J
Alice scarcely heard him. such was hei
agony. She only wrung her little hands,
and gasped, Anything! anything when he
asked her again if she would marry Col,
Hildreth
She is only seventeen, Hugh 1t would
have been better to wait, perhaps, but I
cart leave her alone in the world.
Colonel Hildreth, tall, stern, stately
looking gentleman, merely bowed, as he
took Alioe's little cold hand in his Alice
scarcely glanced at him All her thoughts
were with her father,
She Just looked toward the minister who
came solemnly forwe and she made the
ccessary responses IL p lhill,ss uncompre-
hending voice
! I pronounc. you man and wife. What
God hath Joined together, let no man put
asunder Let us pray.
And Alice knelt mechanically, with her
ewes on her fathers face. She started up
with wild cry before the prayer was done
Even she knew the meaning of those eyes,
that dropped chin.
Andrew Lorfng was dead. He had not
given his darling protector one hour too
soon.
You are to be my care new Colonel
Hildreth said holding her hands firmly in
his, when the funeral ceremonies were all
over. Alict lif ed her swollen eye-lids,
looked at him once timidly, and was silent.
Alice, YOU are not afraid Of me-?
No answer.
Alice, you must not be 7
Alice recalled Involuntary some words Of
her fathers, uttered almost while he lay
dying:
i have known Col Hildreth a long time,
my dear, and l believe | am giving you
good husband. ] have the utmost conf
dence in him.
Alicr recalled these words Of her father,
I say, and yet she was afraid. She shrank
every time Col. Hildreth looked at her, or
spoke. Her very heart seemed to die with
in her when he took her hand.
Home, Alice And in spite of her feeble
resist ance, Gil. Hildreth lifted the slight
form out in his arms, and running up the
broad steps. put her on her feet, and rang
the door bell.
The door was opened almost before the
bell had ceased to vibrate, and slender,
beautiful woman stood with flashing eyes
barring the way
Col Hildreth receded step involuGta-
riy.
You here, Eleanor he CALCULATED.
The woman laughed neryonsly, and
made gesture towards the carriage STILL
standing.
You may take her back where she came
from. She shall never enter here.
Col. Hildrcth frowned ominously, and
shot an anxious glance at Alice, who was
male with surprise and terror. Then he
turned again to this woman whom he called
Eleanor He was most DESTROYS to avoid a
scene or any explanation before Alice, and
he would have taken measures to avoid such
an approach to it, had he suspected the
danger.
This is no place for scene, Eleanor, ne
said presently, in quiet tones. IF you
will 90 to the drawing room, will join
,ou there in few minutes, and either
satisfy you of the wisdom of my course, or
relinquish it,
You promise me this 2 the woman CUES
toned, laying upon his arm slender white
hand differing with rings.
L promise, you,' he said gravely, and
without looking toward Alice. She turned
and moved down the hall, her rich dress
trailing behind hel in heavy folds.
AS ALLEGES fascinated eyes came back
from following her stately form, they en-
countered the scared face Of servant who
stood half in shadow, looking now after The
woman, now at Col Hildreth
AS COL Hildreth strobe into the house he
muttercd some angry words to the man,
and Alice, glancing at her husband, saw for
| the first time, how white and dlscomposed
he looked. He conducted her to her apart
| ments, and excused himself 10 the dismay
of the already alarmed and bevildered girl,
he locked the door upon the outside and she
distinctly heard him remove the key from
the lock
What can it mean?' she exclaimed. ready
to faint with apprehension, and she SANK
into the first seat without removing mas or
shawl,
She spent the intervals before her hus-
bands return thus, or else in walking from
side to side Of the room, and starting IN new
terror at every sound. Once she heard
voices in the hall below, among 'hem n ne
husbands, and the clear sweet tones OF the
woman he had called Eleanor very soon
there Ie. was the noise 0fretreating carriage
wheels Then ali was still again, within
and without It was full two hours al'er