The Placer herald., 1870-02-19
MY HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE.

Are you going out this evening, lover
'Of course am
looked down compacently at my dress
Of pink Grape, dew.droppsd over With crys-
tai, and trails Of pink szeless that caught
up ito folds here and there. A diamoad
bracelet sncirclsd the one white arm, and
little cross blazsd 6tfully on my throat I
bad never looked better, and | felt . sort
Of girish pride as my eye met the fairy re-
fsc,ion 10 the mirror.
Come, Gerald, make haste Why, you
haven't begun to dress yet!
Where we're my wfsy instincts. that
did not sse the haggard, drawn look 10 bis
fsatsrss-ths fsvsrsd light 10 bis syssi
1 can't 60 tonight, Madelius-I am not
we'll enough
You are never we'll enough to obligs me,
Gerald. am tired Of being put off with
such excuses .....
He made no answer, but dropped bis
bead in his hands, on the table before bin.
'Oh, come Gerald urged petulautly;
1T is 80 awkward for me to 60 alone al
ways
He shook his head listlessly.
Il thought. perhaps you would be willing
to remain at home with me, Madeline
Men are so selfish ssid plaiutivsly;
'aud am all dressed. Claudia took a half
an hour for my hair. dare say you will
be quieter without mo that is, If you are
determined not to CO.
No answer again.
We'll, it, you choose to be sullsn, cant
help It, ! said. as turned and went out
Of the room, adjusting my bouqust-holder,
the tube-rose, and the heliotropes seeming
to dislill incense a, every motion.
Was heartless and cruel Had ceas.
ed to love my husband From the bottom
Of my heart believed that loved him as
truly and teuderly as ever wife did; but
bad been spoiled and petled all my brief,
selfish life, that the better ins.inc.s were,
so TO speak, entoomed alive.
| went 10 the party and bad my fill Of
adulaton and homage, as usual. The hours
seemed to glide away, sbod With roses and
winged With music and perfume aud it was
not until wearied with dancing, sought
momentary refuge 10 the bali lighted tea
room that | beard wal de awakening me,
as it were from dream.
Gerald Gleu.'
could not we'll be mistaken 10 the name
it was scarcely commonplace enough for
tbat.-Tbey were lalking-two or three
business-liks looking gentsmen-in the ball
without; and could catch, now and then,
a fugitive word or phrase.
Fine, eulerprising young fellow l'-'Great
pity !-'Totally ruined; 90 Bees and Nc
Morkeu says!'-Recklsss extravaganza Of
his wife 2
All these vague fragments | heard; and
then some one said:
"And what is be going to do nowl'
What can he dol Poor fellow l am
sorry; but bs snould have calculated his
ocoms and expenses better
Or his wife should. Oh, these women
they lie at the bottom Of all mans troubles !
And then they laughed. Oh, how could
they.
had yet to learn how easy il is, 10 this
world, to bear with other peoples troubles
rose burriedly up, with my heart beat
ing tumultuoUsly beneath the pink azsleas,
and went back to the lighted saloon. Al
Dauy Moore was waiting 10 claim my hand
Tor the next dance. Are you i'll, Mrs. Glen
How pale 7
oui NV 'o'J "oii. W'Su you WOuiu
have my carriage called, Mr.. Moore
For now | thought that home was the
proper place for ms
Hurried by some unacoountable impulse,
| sprang out the moment the carriage
wheels touched the curbstone, and rushed
up to my husbands room. The door was
locked, but l could nee light shining faint.
Iy under the Threshold. l knocked wildly
and persisteotly.
Gerald. dear Gerald for heavens sake,
lot me in !!
Something fell on tho marble heartbstone
within, making a metallic click, and my
husband opened the door a little way. |
had never seen him look go pale before,
yet 50 rigid, or so determined.
Who are you z be demanded wildly.
why cannot you leave me 10 peace 7
IT'S l, Gerald; your adeue-your own
little wife, And | caught from bis hand
The pistol be was trying 10 conceal in bis
bre ast-its mate Icy on the marble hearth,
under the mantle-and flung j. out of the
window.
Gerald, would you have left msl'
i would have escaped be cried. still
half delerious, to all appearances, debt
isgrace-misery-her reproaches !. l would
nave escaped them all !
His head fell, like weary child, on my
shoulder. drew him gently to a sofa, and
smolhered him with a thousand murmursd
words-a thousand mute caresses For,
had it not been all my fault!
Aud through the long weeks Of fear that
followed, l nursed him with unwavering
care and devotion. had but one thought,
one desirs-to redeem myself 10 bis estima-
ton. TO prove TO him that was something
more and higher than the mere butterfly
Of fashion had hitherto shown myself.
Wei, the March winds had blowsd them
selves away 10 their mountain fastpsss; the
brilliant April rain drops we're dried on
bough aud spray, and the apple-blossoms
were tossing their fragrant bilIows OF pinky
bloom iu toe deep blue air Of latter May.
Where are We nowi