Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-26


I" But really IL was unavoidable, Helen I
had an engagement TO meet gentleman--and
business must be attended to before pleasure.
How do you suppose am to support this en-.
tablishment and dress you as | do, without
the closest attention 10 business ~
You always say that, dear-.and I alvay,
have TO tell you that would be satisfied with
palmer establishment and wardrobe, if [
could have in exchange for them more Of your
society"
Nonsense; the love Of dress is born in
woman-and she must dress, or die of envy
and chargin."
Love Of beauty and fitness may be innate
IN woman, but they may be attained at much
ess expense than is often incurred in pro.
ducing uginess and distortion. The rivalry
between women is not as to beauty or fitness,
but as to cost-and this is q rivalry that no
cultivated woman could engage in. agree
with Mrs. Gray, that If women were more
highly cultivated they would spend less money
upon mere glitter and display; and husbands
would, consequently, have more time to enjoy
the society Of their families"
Now, dear dont you get strong-minded,
or you will lose half your charms for me. I
love you as you are; you are the dearest,
most dutiiul Of wives--and would not have
you know one whit more than you do.
Life went on much as usual in the Hart
Mansion. Harry came and won't, leaving
his wife alone many evenings--though lately
she was not always alone Mr.. Cloud dropped
IN more and more frequently, sometimes 10
return book, sometimes to bring a piece of
music; for he had discovered that Mrs. Hart
was a fine vocalist, and that her fine soprano
voice accorded wonderfully with his tenof
They thus spent many evenings at the piano
that would otherwise have been lonely for
Helen-and she began to look forward with
pleasure to his coming. Danger she never
dreamed of; she was conscious only of great
enjoyment of the music, and Of his converse.
tion. 1t would be difficult to determine
Clouds motives in seeking this gentle limo.
cent woman, who could be nothing to him.
Vanity, perhaps, or more probably, because
it amused him.
Harry usually found her at home and alone
when he came in, but when he did not he
made no complaint, and found no fault. Late
one evening as he sat in the reading-room at
his clubhouse with paper in his hand, near
half open door, he heard voices in the next
room, but paid no attention until he heard his
wfe's name mentioned in tone that struck
him as aippant, if not disrespectfal He re.
manned silent moment, intending to walk in
and confront the speaker, in whose voice he
recognized notorious roue. The other was
stranger to him. The words which attract.
ed his attention seemed to have been spoken
in answer to question, and we're
That fair woman in blue in the first box
to the right? That was Mrs. Hart, Harry
Hart's wife. Beauty, isn't she Cloud seem.
to think So"
Then that was not her husband ?" said
the other.
No indeed ; her husband sees as little of
her as any man in town, l suppose. Cloud
takes her everywhere. Harry Is devoted To
moncy.making, and lets his pretty wife amuss
herself in her own way. Some day he will
fad his bird flown, am afraid"
Harry waited to hear no more, but dash.
ing down his paper he strodo out Of the
house, and hailed the first car that passed.
After he had left home that morning,
Helen had received note from Cloud, con.
tanning request to be honorcd by her CON-
pany to the opera that night. She sent back
an answer, siguifying her acceptance, and
they had gone accordingly. On their arri-
val home, finding the parlor cold, they had
gone back to the library where FIRE burned
in the CRATE Helen stood before the Ere,
leaning partly on the nantel, while with one
hand she relieved herself Of her hood. Cloud
gallantly took it from her and laid II on a
chair, and returning TO her side, deliberately
placed his arm about her waist, and bending
over, kissed her on her lips Helen sprang
back looked moment in his face and with
a voice choked by indignation, burst out
with :" Mr.. Cloud, do you know who and
what | ann"
Yes, indeed you are very charming
lady, and | admire you above all the women
know" he said, with a smile and half
snecr
Helen burst into tears, and throwing her.
self upon sofa, sobbed and wept bitterly.
This scene had been witnessed by third
party. Harry had entered unobserved, and
was midway between the parlor door and the
library when Cloud kissed Helen, 30 that he
took in its meaning at once. With one stride
he reached Clouds side, and raising his cane
laid it heavily over his back and shoulders,
the latter backing TO the door until he reach.
cd the hall, when he turned and rushed down
the steps.
Turning to Helen, who still sobbed convul.
sively. he said gently;
Helen, what have you done or said to
encourage that scoundrel 2"
| don't know, am sure,p sobbed Helen.
p" never meant to--I never dreamed Of
this
Did he ever atte~ps to kiss you before
this 2"
Never He always treated me with the
greatest respect"
Has he been visiting you in my absence 7"
lie came to sing duets sou,esimes, and
took me to the opera once or twice, but
thought you knew aud approved"
Were you at the opera to-night 2"
Yes"
Harry said no more, and never alluded to
1t again, but if Helen had received lesson,
so had he, and one that was needed. He took
pains to be seen out with her as much as pos.
sible, and in time the gossips found other
game.-Satrday Evening Post.