The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-10-29
JACKSON O. Fl, OHIO, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20. 1874

=, iflenu, ana subsequently at various put
f lie and social gatherings, and he and sh
became very we'll acquainted. She wa
l a fascinating woman, beautiful in fac
: and form, brilliant in conversation anC
possessing that magnetic influence owe
the other sex which render such womer
SO dangerous Their acquaintance soor
ripened into friendship. They talked
sang and rode together; they accompan
led each other to concert and theatre
they discovered mutual tastes in art ano
literature and last and most perilous o.
ALL they confded to each other their mu
tual unhappiness in the marriage rela
ton.
Mrs. Clyde was married when a mere
child to man old enough to be her faith
er The match was made by her parents
and she scarcely had a voice in the mat
ter. Her husband was very wealthy and
treated her kindly, and she lived like a
princess; but this did not satisfy her
heart. She could not love her husband.
and the feeling with which he regarded
her seemed like that of a parent toward
a child
'If had taken my choice" she said
| plaintively to Herman, Il would have
chosen the humblest lot with one loved
in preference to the gilded misery which
| l now endure.
Herman believed and pitied her was
irresistibly fascinated by her, and too
soon came to the conclusion that they
were the kindred souls created for eac
other and that it was a most cruel fate
which doomed them to live apart. By
degrees this feeling crept into his heart,
until at last he allowed the tempter to
whisper that it was not yet too late for
them to be happy. 1t was a common
| thing nowadays for people to break
their marriage ties, and seek their affini
ties elsewhere; and though he had al
ways claimed to disbeleve the doctrine,
yet it might be true after all. He would
investigate the subject more thoroughly,
he said to himself, for he was anxious to
do right, and was it not downright sin
to continue in the marriage relation after
all coniugal affection was dead
Poor May found her lot about this
time a most trying one. That Herman
was changing toward her she could plain
ly perceive He grew cool and indiffer-
ent, and spent very little OF his time at
home Eve his children, much as he
loved them, engaged bis attention far
less than formerly, and it was with a
heartache, which only a loving wife can
understand, that she felt her influence
over him slipping away, and knew not
how to regain it.
Meanwhile Herman with subtitle soph-
istry, was drugging his conscience and
allowing himself to drift toward the goal
of unholy passion, of crime, and ruin. 1t
was stormy winter night. Herman had |
been intending to take Mrs. Clyde to the |
theatre, but the storm prevented, and so
they were spending the evening together
alone, for her husband was away and not |
expected back for several days. 1t was |
a magnifcentIy furnished room where |
sitting Warmth, light and the most |
exquisite ttste surrounded them. Mrs.
Clyde had never lookee more beautiful,
and never was her manner more in uni
son with Herman's feeling Brilliant
she always was, but tonight she
was more subdued and quiet than
usual, with touch Of shyness
in her manner that rendered her
more captivating than ever before. Her
man was reading a tender love song in
low passionate tone, while she sat near
him listening as only woman can
listen whose whole soul is bent to the
task of winning man to her feet. As
yet no actual words of love had passed
between them, but Mrs. Clyde felt sure
that he would not leave this night with
out some expression of the passion that
showed tself so plainly in every look and
action.
A loud ring at the door startled them,
and with the thought that it might be
Mr. Clyde, they moved to more re-
spectful distance from each other. and
for a moment the spell that held them
so closely the past hour was broken
What was Herman's surprise when, after
a moment the servant opened the door
and his own child, a little boy of about
twelve years, stood upon the threshold
His face was purple with cold, and his
clothes powdered with snow, but as he
stood there cap in hand, his bright eyes
glowing, and his damp hair curling
around his forehead, Herman's first
thought, in spite of his surprise and
alarm was one of pride in his beautiful
boy.
What is the matter, Harry ?" said
H Herman, for he saw at once that the
child's face was full of trouble.
Nellie is sick" was the answer, "and
mother is afraid she'll die. She says
won't you please get the doctor, and hur-
nv home as soon as you can ?"
Before the child had ceased speaking
Herman was in the hall drawing on his
overcoat, for little Nellie, the four year
old baby, was his especial pet and dar-
ling.
Mrs Clyde took in the situation, and
him to the door with words of
tender sympathy.
Il am sorry for you, she said II shan't
be able to rest till l know. how the lit
tie one is. Do try and get me word,
and let me know if there is anything
can do.
Herman scarcely knew what answer
he made ne was so filled with fear for
his child, and the next moment he was
holding Harry by the hand and facing
the cold northeastern with rapid strides
Sending Harry on alone after reaching
the first corner, he went for the doctor,
and made such quick time that he reach
ed home almost as soon as his boy.
Little Nellie had been attacked with
Group in its worst form. She had
been troubled with a cold for several
DAYS, but her mother had not felt alarm
ed about her until that evening When
Herman and the doctor arrived she seem
ed cho ing to death, and the physician
took the most vigorous
measures to arrest the disease, yet it was
plain that he entertained but little hope
of her recovery
1t was pitiful to see her gasp and
struggle for breath, and look with plead
ing eyes upon her father and mother as
if skiing them for relief, and when every
thing bad been done that was possible
Herman could only clasp his child in his
arms and wait in mute agony for the re-
lief which death alone could bring. The
little one retained her perfect reason,
and tried to talk when momentarv ces-
sation OF strangling permitted Once,
with great difficulty she said, Nellie
loves papa and mamma.
As Herman held the child in his arms
his wive bent over herwith face pale and