Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-06-11
GUY HILLlARD's SKELETON /,
en-
THE YOUNG wIFEs SECRET.
rcomplete in To-days oommercidi.I

kuowlcdged belle OF lhe ntlle country Town
-nieen Of fashion as well as queen OF hearts.
they had coy little cottage ON the out
skirts of the town, all embowered in eglan-
line. with shady trees and Hover garden In
front and the young man must have regar-
lied il the sweetest, happiest spot ON earth,
indring from the briskness of his step and
ihe brightness of his face as he returned AT
evening from the school house. Violet was
always at the gate to meet him, rObed In
aome pretty, fresh apparel, her curls looped
hack and her blue eyes full of tenderness,
ready to lead him to the tidy, well-Ordered
narlor and waiting supper table. No wonder
Iuy was 50 happy-he would have been II
monster il he had not been so But after a
while, NJ If fortune was bent on running his
cup over, something else came to make him
sill happier, "A small dimpled, Growing babe
with ewes like its mother, and rings of hair
flint looked like spun gold Violet was in
rptrres, and Guy could scarcely wait for
nirht to come. in his eagerness TO get home
What happy couple every one said, eyon
the wiscacres, In spite of their prophecies.
But there never was a paradise, perhaps,
that the serpent did not enter in some form
or other Ii even came to this perfect little
home trailing its slimy ugliness amid the
blooming flowers, 1t was after this wise:
One evening Guy chanced TO come home a
trille earlier than usual, and Violet and baby
were not at the gate to meet him, as was
their custom but he hurried ON eager to sur
prise them by being so carly.
Just as he reached the outer enclosure of
The garden he heard the cottage door open
and saw m9n--a real live man, young aud
very distinguished looking-come out and
pallse on the porch for "A moment TO talk with
Iiolet-his Violet. lie saw her plainly
laughing and chatting and tossing her ring
let's and then the stranger bowed himself out,
and left the premises by the same path
Don't fail to come" called Violet after
him. II shall expect you.
guy billiard looked on in amazoment
Violet was dressed rs he had never seen her
brfore-in magnificent new silk robe, all
covered with laces and roses What did ii
mean? Who was the man that she urged to
come again so cordially? A sharp, swift
pang of jealousy and mistrust wrung his
heart -mstrust of the woman he held Il thou
sand times dearer than his own life and he
hurried ON to the cottage, his brow for the
first time since his marriage looking lowering
and moody. Violet was nowhere to he seen
below, so he went up to her Gambler. The
door was closed, but he heard the babe wall
ing within.
Violet :" he called
Yes, dear, came the pleasant answer ;
I'm one moment as soon as | can get my
dress on.
lie waited impatiently until she came out,
and then he scanned her face with keen, anX-
jous eyes She looked Hurried and confused,
and ran back almost imm diately to put the
blue robe which she had thrown ON the bed
into the wardrobe. Guy followed her into
The chamber.
''lIave you been out, Violet p he asked,
making great effort TO appear unconcerncd.
"Oul ., no, she replied "Why do you
ask"
Nothing, only / saw you putting away
your dress, and you have got baby dress d
out in her tinery"
Violet blushed and averted her face.
"Oh, yes, she said, catching up the little
mass of embroidery, ''lve been fixing the
sleeves of her slip, you know hut come,
let ) 20 down and look after supper
lie followed her down with weary step
and heavier heart than had ever lain in Ills
bu-om before. But he determined to say
nothing; he would not question her, but
Wail and see for himself what it all meant
Violet hustled about, making herself unusu-
ally pleasant but somehow a gloom hung
over the whilom happy home which all her
gaietY could not dispel. Long after she re-
tired with her babe her young husband sat in
the porch, his head in his hands and his soul
tortured with nameless fear
The next afternoon he retunedhOme at the
usual hour and found Violet and her babe
awaiting him at the gate, her face all bright
ness and tenderness, His heart began tC
tighten; she was true to him What foo
he had been; he was glad that he had not lei
her know it. Laughing and playing with the
baby they proceeded TO the cottage. Guy
went running up stairs for his dressing gowr
with his old buOyant alacity. On the tOpmos
step he picked up gloye-a gentleman
gloye-but not his. A triie truly; but il
awakened the old jealous pang with redoub
lrlpain. Still he did not question his wife
lu kept up q silent, cunning watch on all he
movements.
The next evening and the next he cam,
earlier, and in both instances, ,concealng him
self in the shruhbery. he saw the tall, iinl
booking stranger leaving his house, and Vic
Jet Hitting about In the azure robe she haI
never worn for him. Suspense became tor
lure; he could bear it no longer-he mus
know the worst. Had the wiseacres of Cliff
ton prophesied the truth after all He ap
preached his wife at twilight, as she sat in
low chair hushing the baby to sleep.
Violet" he said gently, but very seriously
I'm afraid we have Il skeleton in our clos
u.
She looked up nquiringly,
"A skeleton, dear, how so p
Haven't you secrets from your husband
Violet y he asked sOlemnly.
She blushed deeply and dropped her eyes
and her voice was faint and irresolute, as sll
replied, 'Oh, no, Guy What makes yo
think have p
Because, he answered gravely, 81 hay
seen young mana stranger-lcaving IN
house every evening during the past week
and yet you have not even alluded TO such
visitor to me. What does ii mean, Violet
She averted her face it wore vcT
troubled, anxious look, yet there was a dal
cling mischevous sparkle in her blue eyes
Violet, he went on, seeing that she mat
no reply, 'you can't tell how this troubl
me. can't you trust me, Nolet-me, yol
husband? Explain it all, entreat you, al
rnd my torturing doubt"
She looked up her eyes full of tears
fully.
Il don't want TO doubt you Violet
would sooner die; hut il is strange, TO 81
the least, that you should have such visit
every evening, yet never mention it to mai
1t all clear and satisfactory, Do so, Viol'
and let us be happy again.
still she said nothing.
Violet won't you speak p
She shook her head sadly.
No, Guy, have nothing to say"
lie started to his feet, wild with excl
mpnt