Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-06-11

the stranger coming, as he had expected, he
saw him leaving the house He had been
there the entire afternoon, in the cottage with
his wife Ills face grew white with anger,
and he cleared the hedge with bound lie
would Oyertake him, and force him 10 an ex
PLANTATION But the stranger was too quick
for him; he had crossed the lawn and was
out of sight in the woods beyond before Guy
could Overtake him.
lie turned back, aggravated and dlsap-
pointed, and made his way to the house. His
head throbbed, and very strange feeling
filled his heart he had never felt 30 before,
or looked 50 either; for the little servant who
chanced 10 meet him in the yard, shrieked
and ran out of the way. He was desperate
man-almOst dangerous one Guy Hilllarl,
the good natured, quiet and well disposed
young schoolmaster Truly jealousy is us
strong as death, and cruel as the grave
Violet looked up quieily from the little
frOcK she was embrOidering as he entered
you are early this evening, my dear, she
said, pl asantly.
lie made her no answer. Her gentlcness
seemed TO increase his anger; she was 50 art
ful, 50 cunning and tIeaCaelOus, and ho had
loved her so.
"Vlolet," he said hoarsely, throwing him
self into a chair ''you see | am almost in
sane. cannot bear this suspense any longer
i will not bear IL | saw that man leaving
the house few minutes ago, and he has been
here for hours Violet, | want TO know
what il means!"
She bent lower over her work, but made no
answer.
"ViOlet," he went on, his agitation increas-
ing at fearful rate II cannot live with
you if you persist in keeping this secret from
me. My wife must have no skeletons in her
closet / have borne II as long as | Can-as
long as | will. | command you now to tell
me ALTO make everything clear, or hence
forth our lives are divided
Violet was very pale, and her fingers trem-
bled nervously as she stitched away at her
embroidery still that little Il .ncing, mis-
chievous sparkle lit her eyes.
Violet, will you explain p urged the ex-
cited husband.
"No, sir; have no explanation to make. :"
lie rose to his feet, white and stern.
''Then you are no wife of mine. | cast
you off-wash my hands of YOU You can
go back to your father and tell him that you
have blightcd my life and broke my heart.
She arose also, and took up her babe.
will go, Guy" she replied, quietly.
lie stood still where she had left him, list
ening to her light footsteps as she ascended
the stairs Was he awake-in his SENSES
was it "a reality Was she leaving him-his
| ViOlet-the mother of his babe-the only wo-
man he ever loved lie was on the point of
rushing after and imploring her forgiveness
but that singing pain came back to his heart
and held him back. She was false TO him -
let her go. AT that instant he heard her voice
calling softly from the head of the stairs:
| "Guy-Guy, will you come up here, please?
| want you moment"
lie went up. She met him in the passage.
Bear with me, Guy" she said humbly, Il
will go directly; but l have something to
| show you first.
She led the way to a small room, just be-
| yond their chamber. the same little sparkle
| burning in her eyes. Guy eOllOwed with "A
| fierce, impatient stride She threw open the
door, and there supported against the wall,
was a portrait of herself, with her babe in her
arms, az large as life. Her golden hair fell
back from her smooth brow in shining ring
let's, and her azure robe sweeping off from
her shoulders In clouds of misty lace, fell to
the floor in gorgeous folds. Never was there
anything so perfect or lovely. And the baby,
Il mass of white embroidery, with round,
dimpled, laughing face and chubby hands
peeping out. Guy started at the beautiful
creation in utter establishment then, forget
ting his jealousy, everything in his JOY, he
exclaimed
80, Violet, where did you get 1t? 1t is
yourself over again, and the loveliest thing
ever saw.
To-day is your birthday, Guy" she re-
piled softly, 'and this is my present. ! heart
you say once that you would sooner have q
portrait of me and baby than anything elst
in the world so | coaXed the money out OF
father and engaged an artist to paint it Sc
cretly, that might give you a surprise. But
he had to work to get it done against to-day .
Poor Guy! The truth flashed on him like
lightning. That was the secret he had seen
the artist going and coming, and had doubted
his wife while she was working TO crafty
him. His face turnedal colors, and he stood
in silence, looking ashamed of himself.
II have done now, Guy, Violet said, the
little mischievous dimples deepening abou
her pretty little mouth. 81 will 60"
30, Violet" he burst out, ''forgive-for
give me; l have been great fool, know
but forgive me, Violet"
Holding her babe in one arm, she put thu
other around his broad shoulders and drew
him close to her side. He bent his head t.
kiss her.
"Yes, Guy" she said, 81 forgive you bu
, you must never doubt me again.
"Never again, Violet" he answered, ten
} derly. "You have cured me completely
we shall never see another skeleton.
!