The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-31
Imperfect Rass

cover. Yet my heart yearned to the
cross-gained old man, and from the
glory and joy of my FOOLS paradise
emerged voluntarily, before the honey
moon was over, to seek reconciliation
with my father.
When got to his dc or he drove me
away like beggar, like strange dog,
with his lifted stick, with his mouth full
of curses. That is the last ever saw
OF linn. He died six months after, i'm.
placable.
81 hurried back to town to be com
forted by the angel in my house.
returned sooner than 1 was looked for.
opened the door by latch-key, and
went softly upstairs to surprise my
wife. 1t was about 2 in the afternoon.
Our little drawing-room had folding
doors, which were now ajar. No one
was in the front room, but heard--I
heard my wife's voice in the other.
heard her voice and mans. l had
but to step forward. and saw"
1t was quite dark by this time, and
here the voice that had como out Of
Urquehart's black corner suddenly
broke into an awful sob.
''Don't go on" said I, much distress.
ed.
''Let me alone,'' gasped Urquehart,
savagely.
In less than a minute he resumed:
81 saw my wife with her arms round
mans neck. She was passionately
entreating him not to leave her; he was
trying to release himself. The next
moment they saw me and started apart.
Then, instantly, my wife, that tender
angel. flung herself at me like wild
cat. She did not scream, but through
her shut teeth she said, I'll kill you,
I'll kill you, if you touch him! Her
blue eyes glared much like yonder blue
lightning that keeps flashing out there,
and something glittered close to my
face. She had snatched up her scissors,
and verify believe would have dug
them into my temple if the man, her
lover, had not come and pulled down
her hand. She was going to fall into
his arms again, but he put her from
him, not very gently, and told her
to sit down. She obeyed him in
stantly. cannot in the least describe
my state Of mind all this time,
which was only minute or two, sup
pose. My impression is that l had
ceased 10 feel; that, if my brain and
heart had been scooped out, l could
not have been emptier Of emotion and
thought; that l was not conscious of
any vindictive rage, or any transport of
despair. Some people may think
ought to have kicked that nan down
stairs. | neither did so, nor felt any
desire to hurt him. 1t was he who took
the initiative, and made me a sign to
60 into the front room with him, which
| did. Then, when l stood there face
to face with him, | suddenly, and, as it
were, Involuntary said:
"'Who are you!
"I am sorry for you. said he, in a
gentle drawl, looking at me quite COM
passionatcly. This woman has treated
you very badly. Still, you know, you
have only yourself to thank. Your
conduct has been quite inconceivably
rash, you know
"'Who are your repeated, staring
at him bluntly.
81 am Capt. Edward Ringwood.
This woman is an actress, whom | be-
came acquainted with about year or
two before you first saw her. assure
you | knew nothing Of your love affair
or proposed marriage. If had known
in time, should certainly have consid-
cred it my duty to warn you Of the aw.
full blunder you were making. When l
went abroad with my regiment, it seems
she chose to 60 down and wrigglc 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. l 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 I'M
able to stand, and was sitting on the
sofa with my 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.
"He was fair, slight young man
about thirty, with handsome, thin fca.
lures. and large. light brown 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.
"Atlast | recollected what had been
going 20 say, and told him / 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-
manned 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 a table
behind her. 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 slightly contract
ed brows, the nostrils Of her delicate