Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-17
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They were as handsome a couple as
enc would have wished indeed, many
persons who knew them both intimate
iv, said thatMrs and Mrs. Vivian were
samples of what true marriage ought
to be. .
On tais bitingly cold January morn
ing they were standing in the elegant
library Of their residence in New York,
Numerous evidences of aesthetic tastes
surrounding them on all sides; yet, to
have looked in their faces, it needed
only a glance to tell you of deep abid.
ing trouble.
She was a beautiful woman, the peer
less Ethel Viyisu, with grave dignity
about her that was perfection; with a
rare, refined face, lighted by such win
some, violet blue eyes, framing the
clear, pure complexion, pale checks
and glowing scarlet mouth, with masses
of pale, dead gold haiI that had made
her husband so madly in love only two
years before. Now, two years, after
one year of perfect happiness, when
Ethel would tell.her husband such bliss
so unalloyed could not last much long
er: after six months more of vague
suspicion, founded on the most shad-
Uwy foundation; then, after the last
six msnths of gradual, then rapid dis
trust, jealousy, anger-it had all come
to this terrible open rupture. And on
that beautiful wiRter morning Ethel
Vivian and her husband had nett the
library of their home for their last time
as man and wife.
And the pOnderous document lyi1g
on the table where the two had so Of
ten read together, was bill of divorce.
Yes, it had come to that-open sep
aration-and all because-what
Ethel Vivian could have told you of
Laura st. Johns wondrous face; she
could have drawn you picture of her
with such perfection and accuIacy,t that
you would hardly need to see her.
And this is how Ethel would have de-
scribed the woman who lay at the bot
tom of her lifelong misery.
4 face witching as a Venus, with
such 4 dainty, scarlet mouth, with the
tiny, seed pearl teeth peeping between
her lips, Just as the little dimple was
called to the scarlet-tinted cheeks by
the laugh that so often came.
Her eyes laughed toO-those sunshi,
ny eyes, that sparkled as though they
were vanished; wondrous eyes of am.
Der red, with such magnificent red
gold lashes, that lay like a heavy shad,
ow on her cheek; perfect arched brows,
and hair that seemed a fairy gift, sc
perfect it was in texture, color and
grace.
Sometimes when she wore it hanging
unbound and unbraided, just as nature
had waved it, from the crown of heI
little, royal set head, to far below hel
waist, YOU would have taken Laura St
John for a sprite Uncanny gnome, Eth
ell said; q nymph of rarest beauty
goodness and innocence.
Even after Edward Vivian learned
how deceitful, how utterly unprinci
pied she was, he forgave it her, because
Ii was himself she loved. So now thai
this beautiful demoness had so worked
her plans that Edward Vivian was of
tcner hy her side of an evening than
ut his wile's-nOw that Ethel had free
ly come to learn she was no longer nee
cssary to her husbands happiness, she
had requested him to let her go away
let him be freed legally from the bond!
that had grown so CALLING. Now, there
the two stood face to face, to coldly say
goodbye. Ethel was deadly white al
she took the pen her husband cOurte
ouSly handed her, to sign her name K
that which, once signed, unwifed hel
forever. But was it not better thus
Had she a right to stay where she tel
her presence was 4 burden-Where she
knew she was merely tolerated?
D., 4
when she came there in the flOodtidt
Of happiness came surging over hel
sore heart; she trembled violently
her cold fingers refused to clasp the
pen; and, with one swift, piteous lOol
up in her husbands face, Ethel bowed
her head over the divorce bill and wept
as only such a woman could weep a
such time.
AIr. Vivian looked amazed, then sur,
pri=ed; then sudden grave expires
sion came into his eyes. He turned
away from her, and began to prone
made TO and fro, walking with quick
restless strides, the while hinging quick
glances at the glorious head bowed in
such mute agony on the table be,
fore him. Then half reluctantly, halt
angrily he paused beside her.
Il am 50 astonished, Mrs. Vivian;
had not expected anything of this kind
| presumed you had arrived at your
deliberate decision, and that thence.
forth the past was only the past; the
future
She raised her white face, with it.
haunting eyes.
"Oh, the future, The awful mid.
night, trackless, endless future thai
looms before me. Edward! Edward
this will kill mer'
She was trying 10 speak calmly; she
sat folding and unfolding her nervous
chilly hands; but in her very attitude
her vain efforts at courage, was dumt
despair that touched his heart.
Ethel ."-he had not called hel
Ethel for so long before, that it thrilled
her to her very soul TO hear it once
there was no actual need for
this, and he lightly touched the docu.
ment. 1t was at your own request ]
had il procured"
y little walhug cry interrupted him
Il know, I know" she moaned; ]
wanted you TO do this; l want it still
because you love me no longer; be
cause you love Laura ST."
Mrs. Vivian"
He was stern and icy again; she
knew by the curt, sharp way he inter
rupted her.
This Is not the first time you have
openly accused me of infdelity 10 YOU
and loyalty to Miss St. John. Cannot
I q man express admiration for q beauti