Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-11-21

Il
creatures pure lips come in contact with
the drunkard's face.
Johns scathing words subdued the
liquor tainted wretch, but only for a
brief period. After the first feelings OF
shame had worn away, he matured and
acted ont line of action quite in ac-
cordance with his evil disposition. 1t
certainly must have been Satan himself
who whispered to him that it would be
capital plan to create trouble betwe n
John and his wife; but it was HenryWil-
son who followed the suggestion.
From that night, Johns peace of
mind and heart was doomed. Good,
loving, trusting though he was, he pos,
sessed fiery temper, and jealous dis
position. Knowing that, Halls work
was comparatively easy. Florence sur
prised and grieved at the change in
Johns actions, was too innocent and
free from suspicion to imagine for mo-
ment, that doubt concerning her wife
ly love and faithfulness, ever entered
her husbands brain. Yet, by sys-
tematic succession of hints and hypo-
critical displays of half suppressed feel
ing, Hal succe eded in effecting his pur
pose. Wounded by an INN ate sense of
distrust, the horror and disgust aroused
by Halls conduct towards Flossy in
creased to such degree, that she be-
gan to entertain for the reckless, de-
PRAYED man feeling of intense repug-
nance, strengthened by his manner to
herself.
Avoiding him as much as possible,
her actions, nevertheless, seemed to as
sist Hal in carrying out his plan. John s
jealousy misconstrued every word and
gesture, distrusted every glance. And
when man once doubts his wifes con-
stancy, the angels themselves could not
convince him that he was wronging her
unless they furnished the most incon.
testible proof to that effect.
John was no more considerate or dis
corning than any other jealous hus-
band. Cold looks, sarcastic words,
doubling illusions to any exhibitions of
affection-all these surprised and alarm
ed Florence, without giving her a
clue as to the cause of them.
SO the months passed, fraught with
sorrow to the once happy household.
Florence, detected and sad, unconscious
OF any wrong doing John, unhappy,
and distrusting, his pride refusing to
allow him to enter into any explanation;
Hal, triumphant, yet sympathetic, the
serpent in the garden OF Eden.
AT last the end came. Finding note
upon the library table one evening,
shortly after Hal had left the room,
John opened it and discovered what
seemed to be tender missive from his
wife to his brother. Goaded by the
green-eyed monster, he deliberately
read the note. Then, summoning his
wife, he gave vent to the jealous pas,
sions which had been working within
him for the past six months. Still
stamped upon his mind was the scene
enacted in the library that night. There
was nothing too cruel, unkind, positive
ly insulting for him to say to the pale
trembling little figure before him.
When at last Florence understood the
drift of his passion, the look of anguish
upon her face was pitiful to see. Half
stunned by his accusations, she could
only gaze at him in blank amazement.
Then, raising her head, she glanced
firmly at him, as she asked, with humid
eyes and quiyering lips,
John, are you mad, or do you really
believe what you are saying Whose
word will you trust-your brothers or
your wife's ?"
~ need no better testimony than
this" exclaimed the almost insane
man, holding the note before her
"And 1 deny having written it /"
81 no not believe you," retorted
John, with sneering laugh.
For one moment, Florence gazed ear
nestly at the excited man, her face
white with insulted pride, and stern re.
solve.
"May heaven forgive the words you
have uttered tonight, John, and show
you how fearfully you have wronged
ME, " she said, finally, Then turning
from him, she left the room.
Half an hour later, after most
stormy interview, the brothers parted
forever. Upon going to his room, al
midnight, John found neither wife MOI
child and in answer to his inquiries
he learned that Florence had gone, tax
ing Flossy with her. To search fol
them was his first impulse but where
should he go? Aud then the horrible
suspicion flashed across his mind wal
not the flight part of preconcerte(
plan ? So he reasoned, and so decided
And from that night, wifeless, and child
less, John Wilson occupied alone thu
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