The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-26

Halliburton heir, should traverse the
length Of Millvlllc to take home this young
person, who had married ono of the Hall
burton employees,
Gesrgy stood InmOyed, little con,
cerned as t. whether her last dress and
bonnet should walk or nile, not at al
concerned as to her own disposal.
The factory bell had done ringing, and
John Randall was in sight OF home Just n.
the carriage Of his employer stopped al
the door, and his wife stepped. from it
lie did not, however, overhear her say Il
Stephen Halliburton, "IfyOu call to.mOr
row afternoon, ] will show you what
mean."
0Iiad You pleasant aftcrnooul' rhc
husband asked, by-and.by, as they sat al
tle tca.table.
@yery pleasant" she said, thought.
fully.
at was very polite in Mrs. Halliburton
to bring You home"
"Yes, l should have spoiled my dress
1t was always with little effort that
John Randall could get his wife to talk
and she seemed peculiarly silent tonight,
and absent as well as silent.
Her Oycs were brighter, too, than com
mon-her face little flushed. lie Wa;
too generous, too DnSeltish man to be-
grudge her even happiness in which h'
had no part; but something in hci
abstraction filled him with unsasinCss
The uneasiness was not decreased when
reaching homo q little before the usua
hour the following afternoon, he Inc,
Stephen Halliburton just leaving the house
nor when he found GeOrgy with the SAINT
frightened eyes and heightened color n
the night before.
That was the beginning OF Jshn Ran
d8ll's trouble.
It was not SO much common jealousy
n mans instinct Of revolt at another mani
admiration of his handsome wlfe--as 1
was a fear-a desperate, deathlike fear
that Georgy needed something lie cOul'
not give to make her happy. He conlt
never give her any luxurits. lie cOul'
never say such things rs he ianciet
Stephen Halliburton must be able to sal
to woman. But he loved her 80 {
heavens he loved her sol How could HI
endure that anything should come bCtweel
them7
al won't wrong her and tease her Will
suspicious" he said to himself, in TIT
depth of the night. "l'll inst fight ny
way the best can against 1t. Ill keCI
on steady. Perhaps she'll sec It right by
and.by."
Poor fellow he did no. realize how hl
own determination implied the drearl
thought that her heart was turned frols
him. He raised himself on his arms 4
look on her as she slept; and all through
what followed ho retained thepnrc, en!u
face, as 1t pressed the pillow, whitened by
the moonlight that Clinted the frost on tht
windOw.pa .panes and flooded the room.
She seemed colder to him after this, ant
he kept silent.
lIo know that she mot Halliburton {
her aunt's; ho knew that when slc went
to the seaside the ensuing summer, for .
weeks visit to Mrs. Paul Appleton, ther,
he was also. lie knew that shs seemed
10 DO living life apart from him; and
once-that was when tho iron entered Iii
soul, when he went into her little desk, {
present he had made her during their EN-
sageinent-for sheet Of note paper, ant
found 1t locked and asked her carelessly
enough for the key, she flushed and sale
she would got the paper for him.
But he kept true to the promise ht
made himself. He kept on fighting hi
way against It as best lie could, hoping
with sick heart, that she "might SEQ /
right by.and.by."
The months wore away. The secont
year of their marriage was nearly com
pluted. John had been very Carelul-a
careful as Georgy herself-that there
should be no outward or visible sign of mis-
understanding or cOldness between them
No suspicion had come to any that tht
secoad year of their married life had heei
less happy than the frst. Nor had b,
ever omitted to give her any little indug
gence within bis power. lie had prePare'
a surprise for her on the coming anniver
sary Of their wedding during the year.
The anniversary fell upon Sunday; ant
so their little cOmmemsration of the da!
must come the preceding evening. n,
allusion had been made to any celebration
by either OF them; but John felt sure
some way, that she could not let the tim
pass without some sign. For lis owl
part, he had half resolved to attemp
some explanation of their estrangement
Anything, he thought, would be bette
than this chilling reserve. With his min
divided between the anticipation Of relie
and Jealous dread, he went to the cosnt
ing house that Saturday night to receiv
his money. The Cashier looked up with
certain embarrassment at the approach.
"Ah, Mr.. Randall-tlie accumulate
Won have left In my handsl To be sure
And, by the way, Mr.. Haliburtonspoke t
me to mention to you that there were I
be some changes made, and-and-bu
there he Is himself, sir"
John Randall turned, with q feelin
akin to desperation, to meet bis employer
II had gone through him like thunder
bolt as the cashier spoke, that he was !
be displaced. Stephen Halliburton simpl
said, as John faced him. III not deta.
Won now, Mr.. Randall. ] shall call thi
evening to let you know of the changes
feel obliged to make"
Andt The owner bowed, and left him.
With the money in his neryfess hands
John Randall walked honcward like
man dazed. lie was to lose his place
For what reason he could not conjecture
But to lose It was to lOsc reputation
everything: III llo had Inc never ~. IT,