The Grange advance., 1874-12-22

his arms again, but ne put hcr from
him, not very gently, and told her
to sit down. She obeyed him in
stantly. I cannot in the least describe
my state of mind all this time,
which was only minute or two, sup
pose. My impression is that I had
ceased 70 feel; that, il my brain and
heart had been scooped out, could
not have been empticr of emotion and
thought; that l was not conscious of
any vindictive rage, or any transport of
despair. Some people may think I
ought to have kicked that man down
stairs. Ineither did 50, nor felt any
desire to hurt him. Itwas he who took
the initiative, and made me a sign to
90 into the front room with him, which
did. Then, when stood there face
to face with him, I suddenly, and, as it
were, involuntarily said:
"'Who are you!
"I am sorry for you,' said he, in
gentle drawl, looking at me quite CON-
passionatcly. This woman has trcatcd
you very badly. Still, you know, you
have only yourself to thank. Your
conduct has been quite inconceivably
rash, you know
"'Who are you?' I repeated, staring
at him bluntly.
"'I am Capt. Edward Ringwood.
This woman is an actress, whom | be-
came acquainted with about year or
two before you first saw her. l assure
you l knew nothing of your love affair
or proposed marriage. If had known
in time, I should certainly have consid-
cred it my duty to warn you Of the aw'
full blunder you were making. When /
went abroad with my regiment, it seems
she chose to 60 down and wriggle her
self into my family. What her motive
was, can't imagine. She is most
artful, dangerous person, that is clear.
She saw my return to England in the
papers yesterday, and sent me note
Inviting me to come and see her at this
address, which did. I give you my
word OF honor had not been here ten
minutes when you made your appear
ance. She had just told me she was
married, and this was your house: upon
which got up and wished her good
day.
''By this time had found myself un-
able to stand, and was sitting on the
sofa with nay head between my hands.
When Capt Ringwood left off speaking
| looked up, meaning to say something.
but forgot what it was, and only stared
at him silently.
ale was fair, slight young man
about thirty, with handsome, thin fea.
lures, and large, light brc wn whiskers.
He stood there looking at me with the
same good-natured concern in his face
that he had expressed in words, in his
fashionable, affected way.
sAt last recollected what had been
going to say, and told him l wished to
be left alone. He silently took out his.
card, laid it on the chimney piece, and
went out.
Il don't know how many hours re-
mained lying on the sofa with my eyes
! shut, in that strange torpor; but it was
! night when opened them and found
| my wife standing by me. She had light.
ed the candles on the chimney piece.
| and was STOPPING down over me. She
! started upright as my eyes opened, but
she did not avoid them. She confront.
! ed me, archiRg back her nymph like
figure. and leaning one hand on table
behind her. I felt no emotion at sight
of her, but looked at her as if she had
been picture. Her beauty was splen'
did. All her fair golden hair was turn
ed off her white face in sort of gilt.
tering aureola. Her great turquoise
blue eyes fared under sli ghtly contract.
ed brows: the nostrils of her delicate,
! straight nose and her infantine mouth
expressed rage and pain"
Isl am glad you are awake, said she
4 want you to hear me say I hate you!'
ISL don't care,' said ], wearily. &c
away
"'Her face famed out with the fury
that was burning her heart"
" Bat you do care!' she cried you
| shall care! I tell you l always laug he'd
| at y you and despised you. I only mar
ried you from pique-because he left
me. I got into his family, and toadied
them, and made myself their servant.
only to hear of him, and to feel nearer
him, and be where he had been-I love
him so! love no one else in the
| world-I never did. I would kill you,
and dozen like you, to save him from
fingerache. I would rather a thou
sand times have blow from him than
kiss from you-a hundred times!
When think of him, and that you are
between us, hate you'll abhor you
How dare you smile at me? III kill
you!'
| II was quite unconscious Of smiling ;
but she darted at me, and struck at my
throat. l caught her hand; this time
she had a penknife in it. and felt that
she had pricked me. That instructive
act of self.defense reused me, and prob
ably saved my wits as we'll as my life.
When I had mastered her and