The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-09-27

mands for tomorrow are pressing.
"And mine, Margery, you will find,
are more so. | have been tritied with,
and my expressed desire neglected
long enough. You will remember
hereafter that | stand first in this
household, and that my wishes are en-
titled to some consideration
Perhaps you had better explain, y
she sad contemptuously; Il do moi
know that have the honor OF compre-
hending your remarks"
81 shall certainly be more explicit,
then,n he answered mildly, still de-
termined not to appear irrltated by
her Indifference. "We have been
married almost three years, Margery,
and in all that time have been but a
slave to your bidding. 1t is true that
am more than twice your. own age,
butt became your husband, fondly be-
lieying that in your love my heart
would regain its youthfulness, and that
you would find comfort and happiness
in being an old mans darling That
have been disappointed | freely ac-
knowledge; that you have been | can
but infer. realize now the vanity of
the hope which led Me to unite old age
with youth. since our tastes are so dis
similar. What | have to say to you,
however, is this, that desire you to
relinQuish, in measure, those frivol-
tiles which are separating us SO surely
and 50 utterly"
.Margery looked for moment in his
face and said:
"Suppose | do not desire to re-
nounce those pleasures which you seem
to condemn so heartily?"
1''rhen | shall resort to that authority
which, as your husband, is vested in
me-"
"And ifI do not choose to submit
to that authority?"
THAT is not a question to be dis
cussed between us" he exclaimed,
emphatically, now thoroughly aroused
and irate. liam master OF this house,
as you will find to your cost. That
YOU have never cared for me except as
the representative of the wealth which
purchases your pleasures, Is too plain
a case to admit Of argument. But
there is one thing of which you may
rest assured +; while you bear my name
it must remain as unsullied as when
you received it. | do not wish you to
regard me as a brute, nor yet as a ty-
rant, but this continued dissipation
must cease. | am too old to be drag
ged from one scene OF gayety to an
other-tied, as it were, to the wheels
of your triumphant chariot, and since
| cannot attend you, you must contine
yourself more at home. You can re-
tire now; if you please remember that
| expect your compliance with my
wishes"
''Thank you for the privilege" she
returned, sarcastically. | shall not re-
tire, however, until this question is
definitely settled" Her eyes glowed
like midnight stars and upon her white
forehead the beads Of perspiration
sparkled like diamonds in the full blaze
Of the chandelier beneath which she
stood. THAT | do not love you, Col
onel Leslie, you seem to be well 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 i'll the
sandy deserts thirst for water. Fash
ion and society are my idols, and dis
connected from them would not turn
over my hand to live another hour. |
shall net give them up without 4 strug-
gle, you may rest assured; but the vie
tory 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 morti-
fled by her confession, buried his face
in his hands. This was the bitter end
ing of his pleasant dreams; this cold
woman the wife who pre-
sided over his home.
"She shall have her own way" he
suddenly, ,stoically resolved, If she
married Inc, as she says, for my
wealth, she shall not be cheated in the
bargain. She shall enjoy her freedom
while live and my wishes
shall hereafter remain untold"
Iwo--four years passed away, and
then the end Of it all came. Margery
was sitting alone in her elegant draw
lng-room, whence q hundred guests
had just departed, when Colonel Leslie
entered hastily and drew a chair to her
side, She gathered her trailing robes
Of amber satin more closely around
her as Is fearing contamination. He
noticed the movement, andexclaimed,
lpologetically:
Il vowed years ago, Margery, that
never would again, by word or look,
letract from your happiness, and faith
fully until now have / kept that vow.
This, however, is a perilous moment
Tor both of lis, and must account for
his intrusion. have COmmunica-
Ion to make which will startle you,
9at you must hear 1t. reyOa listea-