Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-06-21

ius rebuked by that of his wife, John coul
nnd no comfort in her presence, but fie
rom 1t to the more congenial society Q
the miners.
Time wore on; year had passed. Tn
Hemmings, preserving the outward rela
tions Of husband and wife, were scarcel,
on speaking terms; and, when word
were interchanged, it would have beel
better If they had been left unsaid. Mar
garet bitterly lamented her situation. 81
it to be ever thus ?' said she.
Then John would answer: "By ant
by we will leave this place for Frisco, o.
the States. Not now, for our wealth 4
mainly prospective. The claims mus
first be worked out. We must realize
Have patience"
Patience" sneered Margaret. "Havt
patience, while my best years are vast
ing, while l am growing old. before my
time, while rust Is corrOding all the fac
ulties of my mind. Have patience, to
endure the horrible sameness of exist.
ence in this miserable town, in quiet re.
spectability. No, no; cannot endure
simply to be. must live; must<have
If the society and surroundings l crave
are denied me, will make the most OF
what is at hand. l will not be immured
in a living tomb. Society is here a
chaos, but there shall be balls and gath
erings."
Then John would answer, dreamily,
Happiness Is from Within"
Margart fulfilled her threat. Ball sue
ceeded ball. Motley crowds of people
were drawn together, and over the as
semblages she reigned queen. At her
house was found welcome for all those
hrilliopf NTH M
infested, who, their imaginations being
in the ascendant over their judgments,
suffer shipwreck early in the voyage of
life, and ever after live by their wits,
becoming gamblers and sharpers. For
time, to save appearances, Hemming
escorted his wife when she went out,
and tolerated at his own house the
presence of unwelcome guests, but this
could not last. The time came when he
said to her, that, for the future, he should
neither do one nor the other.
'tAs you please" said Margaret; and
the evening following, with other escort,
she attended Q dance. The next MORN
ing, Margaret saw that storm was at
hand, and she braced herself for its COM
ing.
John said, 81 have interests at Jasper
Creek. 1 shall 90 there to attend to them,
and shall be absent some time, perhaps all
winter"
"very well," said Margaret; "you
cannot 60 too soon."
81 shall take Johnny" said he.
Margaret smiled incredulously.
John repeated, 81 shall take Johnny"
"Do not think" said she, to fright
en- me with an idle threat. Let me at
least retain what respect now have for
your good sense. / am not a child, to
be frightened into compliance with your
wishes"
at is not an idle threat" returned he
nor do appeal to your fears to control
your actions. 1t is my fixed purpose
that the boy shall 90 with me, and /
only speak Of it that I may not be appa-
rently guilty of the meanness of stealing
him away"
Margaret rose to her feet. and said: ''Is
It possible, that beneath all that show of
homely goodness turks spirit so mean as
10 take from miserable woman all that
she has? That child is miIe, John Hem
ming, not yours-nOt yours. A wander
er and an adventurer, you noted not the
weary months of toll gave to him: the
sleepless nights and patient days, when /
stood alone, with only him, in q condition
more desOlate than that of widowhood. |
Human law is with you, but there is
higher law that will overtake, and,
with memorable clutch, squeeze dry the |
hearts and lives of those who come In |
between the mother and the child she has
)orne."
John was unprepared for this cry of an
yuish from his wife. For moment his |
wavered, but the purpose which |
had been months in crystallizing, could |
lot easily be shaken. He could but give |
his reasons for so decided a step, which |
he did, gently but firmly: Margaret,
We have nc thoughts or hopes In common,
Tor can we labor for common purpose; /;
renee, it is best we part. 1t is inevitable;
f not to-day, another day. 1t is Gus
om OF the country that wives from the |
States shall seek divorces and form |
new alliances when they come into the
mines. l accepted the common fate for |
you, months SINCE"
Margaret covered her face with her |
hands, and John continued: "For this, |
I for no other reason, 1 90 now; but, be-
ore go, let me say, that, cOnceding your |
in all things that strike the
world, envy not what you are. Could |
|, by mere effort of the will, place my
Cu vi . iCsCi OCciuc yOu, blc cllOTb WOuiu Il
lot be made. There is a higher knowl-
,dge than comes from boOks-a better |
race than is learned in society. do not |
AXE the boy to be avenged on you; nor
because think you will lead The life of
vanton, for have no such belief; but be-
ause his character is to be formed, and l
would not have it developed under your
Rfluence, even at your best"
Margaret sank into chair, and gave
way to a flood of tears. When she
reused herself, it was to find that her
husband and little Johnny had disap-
'eared. A letter she found, coldly stat
ng that her checks would be h0nored at
he bank for monthly sum sufficient for
Ter needs.
When Margaret realized that there was
separation, her first impulse was to con-
lnue her wayward course of life, but
she could not tell why, the
pirit was wanting. Balls were held, but
he was not present; and her doors were
losed to all visitors. Companionless
ave her maid-servant of all work, whose
tout husband served as warder to her
astle, Margaret sat down to consider
vhether there were things in life that
ad so far escaped her notice.
John Hemming, at the newly discov-
1t 4