Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-08-28
and have need os rest; nv demands for

Aud mine. Margery. you will End :,
are more so. / have been triHed with,
and my expressed desire neglected long
enough. You will remember hereafter
that | stand FIRST in this household. and
thst my wishes are entitled to some con-
sideration.
"Perhaps you had better explain" she
said. eontenptuOusly; II do not know
that | have the honor Of comprchending
your remarks"
IL shall certainly be more explicit then. {"
he answered. mildly. ssiIl determined not
TO appear Irritsted by Eef Indifference.
I'VE have been married almost three
years. Margery. and in al. that time have
been but slave to your bidding. 1t is
true that | am more than twice your own
age. but became your husband, fondly
believing that in your love my hear, would
regain its you,htulness. and that you
would find comfort and happiness in being
an old mans darling
THAT have been disappointed freely
acknowledge; what you have been can
but infer. | realize now the vanity Of
the hope which led me to unite o!d age
with youth. since our tastes are so dissim-
liar. What have to say to you. however,
is this; that desire you to rclinquish, in
a measure. those frivolities which are sep
arating It's so surely and SO utterly"
Margcry looked for moment into his
face. and said:
Suppose do not desire to renounce
those pleasures which you seem to con-
denim so heartily"
''Then shall resort to that authority
which, as your husband. is vested in me /"
"And if do not choose to submit to
that authority?'
''That is not question to be discussed
between u.s." he exclaimed, emphaticaly,
now thoroughly aroused and irate. II
am master Of this house, as you will fnd
to your cost. That you have never cared
for me except as the representative of the
wealth which purchases your pleasures.
is too plain n case to admit of argument.
But there is one thing of which you may
rest assured; whilst yen bear my name it
must remain as unsullied rs when YOU
received it. do not wish you to regard
me as brute, nor yet as tyrant, hut
this continued dissi patton must cease
! am too old to be dragged from one scene
of gayety to another. tied. as i, were. to
the wheels of your triumphant chariot,
and since cannot attend you. you must
c"nfne yourself more at home. You can
retire now if you please. but remember
that | expect your compliance with my
wishes"
'Thank you for the privilcge!" she re-
turned. Systematically. II shall not retire,
however. until this question is definitely
settled" Her eyes glowed like midnight
stars. and upon her white forehead the
beads of perspirstion sparkled like dia-
monds in the full blaze of the chandelier
beneath which she stood. THAT I do
not love you. Colonel Leslie, you seem to
be we'll aware. | married you because
was dazzled by those visions of splendor
which you placed before my eyes. and
sighed for them as those who travel in the
sandy deserts thirst for water Fashion
ard society are nv idols. and disconncct-
ed from them | would not turn over my
hand to live another hour | shall not
give them up without a struggle YOU NAV
rest assured. but the victory is not always
to the strong Good night" she added,
turning from him and leaving the room
with the air Of an empress.
Colonel Leslie. stunned and mortifc.,, !,
BY her confession. burie.i! inis face in his
hands. This w.s the bitter ending Of
his pleasant dean; this cold. calculating q
woman. the wife who presided over his
home
"She shall have her own way," he sud-
denly. stoically resolved. "If she mar
ried me. as she says. for nv wealth, she
shall not be cheated in the bargain. She
shall enjoy her freedom unmolcsted while
| live. and my wishes shall hereafter re-
main untold"
Two-four years passed away, and then
the end of il all camo. Margery was sit
ting alone in her elegant drawing-room
whence an hundred guests had just depar-
ted, when Colonel Leslie entered hastily
and drew a chair to her side She gath.
cred her trailing robes of amber satin more
closely around her. as if fearing con,ami-
nation. He noticed the movement, and
exclaimed. apologetically:
Il vowed years sgo. Nargery. that /
never would again. by word or look. de-
tract from your happiness. and faithfully
until now have I kept that VOW This.
however, is perilous moment for both Of
US, and must account for this intrusion
| have communication to make which
will startle you, bht you must hear it
Are you listening? | am a baukrup,.
Margcry. a bankrupt
"A bankrupt" she exclaimed, hoarsc-
ly. "Are in you in earnes, -
Yes. in terrible. terrible earnest, as
to-morrow's proceedings will show. |
have not dollar in the world which can
honestly call my own For your sake I
regret it. You worship wealth and posi-
ton, you told me once. and have never
forgot,en il. God knows pity you."
What are we to do ?" she asked. bro
kenly. for. try as she might. the tears
would no, be repressed.
Il do not know. he answered vaeuelv.
The tidines reached me but a few hours
ago. and since then I have thought of
nothing but how l should tell ,ou without
breaking your heart. am not too old to
work for you. Margery; but how will ron
endure your misfnrtunes3 You will doubt.
less reprcaeh me for not having provided
agsins' this contingency when We were
married, bat did not knowshen ths, vou
sold yourself to me. thought that YOU
loved me little. notwithstanding the dis
parity Of years between u.s."