Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-05-27


and no hurried away TO the cottage. hi'
brow for the first time since his marriage
looking lowering and moody. Nin e
was nowhere to bo strn below, so h,
went up to her chamber. The door was
closed, but be heard tho hany wail'ns
within.
"Violet !" he called
"Yes. dear came the pleasant answer
"iu one moment; aS soon Us l get my
dress ON"
lie waited inpatient, until she came
out, and then he scanned her lace viii
keen, anxiou. eyes. She IO",cd iinriict
and confused. aud ran back almost i'm
mediatcly To put the blue robe which size
hai thrown on the bed in the wardrobe
Guy followed her into the chamber.
Have you been out. Violet ?" h. asked,
trying to appear unconccrned.
'Ou,? 0, no :" she replied. "Why dc
you ask ?"
Nothing. only | saw YOU putting
away your dress. and you have got baby
dressed in her lnery."
Violet blushed and averled her face
80, yes" she said, catching up tbs
little mass OF embroidery. I've hecu
liking the sleeves of her slip, you knew ;
but come, lots go down and Io"k after
supper"
lie followed her down vith weary
step and heavier heart than had ever
lain in his bosom. But he determined TO
say nothing; hc would not question her,
but wait and see wha, II meant Viol't
hustled about making herself unusually
pleasant; but somehow gloom hung
over the whilom happy home which all
her gayOty could not disPei. Long apcr
she retired with her babe. hcr youns
husband sat in the porch. hl, huad III his
hands and his soul tortured with name
less fear
The next afternoon ht returned home
at The usual hour, and found Violet and
her Labe at the gale awaiting him, her
face all brightnr,, aud tenderness Ills
heart began tn l."t1n, IL" "a tr"r 10
him. What a la1l he had pc-h; IA vas
glad he had not let aer nav A. laugh
Ing and playin. With the baby lhoy pr
ceedod 10 the cuttasc Gay went rushing
up stairs for his dressing gown with a
buoyant alacrily. Ca lhc topm">l step
he picked up glove - gentleman s
gloye--but not his Auiile, truly hut it
awakened the old Jealous pauS with re-
doub.,d pain. Still he did not qucs lun
his wife, buI kept up silent cunning
watch uu her movements.
The ucA, evening and The next he
ea,ny earlier. and in both instances con-
cealng himself in the shrIbbcry, he SAW
the tall fine looaing stranger leave The
house. AMI Violet tlilling pboSt al no
azure tobe sk~ .an nc'c cr worn ior him.
Suspense became torture; hc could bear
II no lungcr-he must know the woi>l.
Had the wiseacres OF FlNpn pCqppes'ed
,he uuin aneY all 3 lie approached hi,
vile al twilight, - sho sat in 4 low phlIr
hushl6g hrI uAEy - Hirrp.
.vioict," he said gently. but very
seriously, Il am afraid we have skoi
eion in our closet
Sine Iooscd r. ;nuuT~gv.
A skeleton. dear how sop
Haven't You secrets from yom hu,.
band. Violet he asked.
She blushe@ Gaeli, and dropped her
cy ea, aud her voice was faint and irreso
lutte, As she replied, .'0, no, Guy What
makes you think 50 F''
"BocaUse." he answered gravely, Il
have seen young man-a stranger
every evening during the past week and
vet YOU have not alluded 10 such visitor
10 me. What does mean, Violet g
she .verted her age; il wore y very
troubled, ANXIOUS lnlk, yet there was
.lanrlng misohevous sparkle ia her blue
Eyes.
Violet" he went on, seeing that she
made no reply, you can't tell how HE
trouble, me. rAp', IaY t.Ns' me. Violet
me, ,aair husband2 Expiain it all. |
en,rrh ou. aud erd my torlariaa Iuhm,"
she lopkrd up, hur eyes luIl OF tears.
you daubt me, Guy. "shs said mourn.
Iul!g,
81 don't want to doubt you. Violet i
would sooner die; but it is strange, TO
cay the least, that YOU should have such
4 visitor every evening. yet never men,
ton it to your husband. But believe
YOU can make it all clear and satisfactory.
Do 80. Violet, and let us be happy again"
Sill she said nothing.
Violet. won't yon speak ?"
She shook her heal sadly
Nothing to say. Violet? Will you not
tell NE who that man was and what he
She shook her head, saying sadly. al
have nothing 10 say
Then he rushed from her presence
down the stairs, out into the open air. his
head throbbing as if it would burst.
"Oh - he moancd. sinking down on
.he turf. chow shall endure it? My
wife, my darling wile-my Violet that
ove so much. Can it bc lrue?"
But no one answered him; only The
lille birds chirped and and cooed amid