The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-05-26
WHAT A KEY UNLOCKED.

inc they were standing in the elegant
library of their residence in \. I.
numerous evidences of aesthetic taste
surrounding them on all sides; yet
to have looked in their faces, it need
ed only a glance to tell you of deep
abiding trouble.
She was q beautiful woman, this
peerless Ethel Vivian, with grave
| dignity about her thSt was periec-
ton with a rare, refined face, light
ed bv such winsome, violet blue eyes,
framing the clear, pure complexion,
pale cheeks, and glowing scarlet
mouth. with masses of pale, dead
gold hair. that had made her husband
so madly in love only two years be-
fore. Now, two years-after one
wear of perfect happiness, when
Ethel would tell her husband such
bliss so unalloyed could not last much
longer; after six months more OF
vague suspicion, founded on the most
shadowy foundation then, after the
last six months Of gradual, then rapid
distrust, jealousy, snger-it had all
come to this horrible open rupture.
And on that beautiful winter morn
ing, Ethel Vivian and her husband
had met in the library of their home
for the last time as man and wife.
Aud the ponderous document ~
ing on the table where the two had
so often read together, was a bill of
divorce.
Yes, it bad come to that-open
.eparation-and all because-why |?
Ethel Vivian could have told you
of Laura St. Johns wonderous face /;
she could have drawn you a picture
of her with such perfection of accu-
racv, that you would hardly need to
see her. And this is how Ethel
would have described the woman
who Law at the bottom of her life
long misery.
A face, witcbing as Venus, With
such dainty scarlet mouth, with the
tiny, seed-pearl teeth peeping out be
tween her lips, just as the little dim
pie was called to her scarlet-tinted
cheeks by the laugh that SO often
came
Her ewes laughed, too those sun
shiny ewes, that sparkied as though
thew were vanished; wondrous eyes
of amber red, with such magnificent
red gold lashes, that lay like heavy
shadow on her check perfect arched
brows, and hair that seemed fairy
gift, so perfect was it in texture, color
and grace.
Sometimes when she wore it hang
ing, unbound and unbraided, just as
nature had waved it, from the crown
of her little, Loyalty set head, to far
below her Waste, you would have
taken Laura St. John for q sprite un-
canny gnome, Ethel said; nymph
of rarest beauty. goodness and inno-
cence.
Even after Edward Vivian learned
how deeeitful, how utterly unprinci-
pied she was, be forgaVe it her, be-
cause it was himself she loved. So
now that this beautiful demoness had
so worked her plans that Edward
Vivian was oftcner by her side Of
an evening than at his wife's-now
that Ethel had freely come to learn
she was no longer necessary TO her
husbands happiness, she mad request
ed him TO let her go away; let him
be freed legally from the bonds that
have grown SO CALLING Now, there
the two stood face to face, to coldly
say goodbye. Ethel was deadly
white as she took the pen her hus-
band courteously handed her, to sign
her name to that which, once sign
ed, unwifed her forever But was it
not letter thus? Had she q right to
stay where she felt her presence was
burden-where she knew she was
meerly tolerated ?
Then, rushing memories of the
DAYS when she came there in the
tloodtide of happiness came, surgiDg
over her sore heart; she trembled
violently: her cold fingers refused to
clasp the pen; and, with one swift,
piteous look up in her husbands face,
Ethel bowed her head over the di-
vorce bill, and wept as only such
woman could at such time.
Mr.. Vivian looked amazed, then
surprised; then a sudden grave ex-
preston came into his eyes. He
turned away from her, and began to
promenade 10 and fro, walking with
quick, restless strides, all the while
fiinging quick glsnces at the glorious
head bowed in such mute agony on
the table before him. Then half re-
lentantly, half angrily, be paused be-
side her.
Il am so astonished, Mrs. Vivian ;
had not expected anything Of this
kind. l presumed you had arrived
at your deliberate decision, and that
heDeeforth the past was only the
past; the future"
She raised her white face, with its
haunting eyes.
"0h, the future. the awful mid
night, traekless, endless future that
looms before me J Edward ! Edward
this win kill neln
She was trying to speak calmly
she sat folding and unfolding her
nervous, chilly hands; but in her
yery attitude, her vain efforts to cour.
age, was a dumb despair that touch
ed his heart
"Etheln be bad not called her Ethel
lfer so long before, that it thrilled her
10 her very soul TO hear it once more
- there was no actual need foI
this,n and be lightly touched the doe
ument 1T was at your own request
I had it procured
A little wailing cry interrupted
him.
II know, / know" she moxned