Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
perhaps, or more probably. because i,

perhaps, or more probably. because II
amused him.
Harry usually found her at home and
alone when he came iD, 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 club house with a
paper in his hand, near half opened
door, he heard voices in the next room,
but paid no attention until he heard his
wife's name mentioned in a tone that
struck him as fippant, if not disrespect-
| ful. He remained silent moment, in
| tending to walk in and confront the
speaker, in whose voice he recognized a
| notorious roue. The other was stranger
TO him. The words which attracted his
attention seemed to have been spoken in
answer to question, and were:
That fair woman ia blue in the first
box to the right2 That was Mrs. Hart
Harry Harris wife. Beauty, isn't she ;
Cloud seems to think So
'Thea that was not her husband 2 said
the other.
No indeed; her husband sees as little
of her as any man in town, suppose
Cloud takes her everywhere. Harry is
devoted to money-making, and let's his
pretty wife amuse herself in her own
way. Some day he will find his bird
flown, am afraid
Harry waited to hear no more, but
dashing down his paper he strobe out Of
the house, and hailed the first car that
passed.
After he had left home that morning
Helen had received a note from Cloud
containing q request to be honored by her
company to the opera that night. She
sent back an answer, signifyiug her ac'
ceptance, and they had gone accordingly
On their arrival home. fnding the psrlor
cold, they had gone back to the library
where fire burned in the CRATE. Helen
stood before the fire, leaning partly on
the mantle, while with one hand she re-
lieved herself of her hood. Cloud gal
lantly took it from her and laid it on g
chair, and returning to her side, deliber.
ately placed his arm about her waist, ar
bending over, kissed her on her lips
Helen sprang back, looked a moment in
his face, and with a voice choked by in'
dignation, burst out with Mr.. Cloud
do YOU know who and what am? p
Yes, indeed you are very charming
lady, and I admire you above all the wo.
men I know he said, with a smile aud q
half sueer.
Helen burst into tears, and throwing
herself upon q sofa, sobbed and wept bit.
! terly.
This scene had been witnessed by g
third party. Harry had entered unob.
served, and was midway between the par.
lor door and the library when Cloud
kissed Helen, so that he took in it's mean
ing at once. With one stride he reached
Clouds side, and raising his cane laid il
heavily over his back and shoulders, the
latter backing to the door until he reach
ed the hall, when be turned and rushed
down the steps.
Turning to Helen, who still sobbed con-
vulsively, be said gently:
Helen, what have You done or said to
encourage that scouudrel !?
I don't know, am sure sobbed Helen
i never meant to-I never dreamed OF
this
Did he ever attempt to kiss you before
this p
Never! He has always treated me
with the greatest respect
Has he been visiting you in my alb
sence?'
he came to sing duets sometimes, and
took me to the opera once or twice, but I
thought you knew and approved
Were you at the opera to-night?'
Yes
Harry said no moro, and never allud ed
to it again, but if Helen had received g
lesson. so had he, and one that was heed
ed. He took pains to be seen out with
her as much as possible. and in time the
eossips found other game. - Saturday
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