Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-06-08
then, have you not the same right =

then, have you not the same right :"
"Have care. Laughed she. "You
are giving dangerous advice. Confess,
now, if you were my husband. would
you like me to receive such counsel and
act upon it?"
Bending over her until his breath
famed her cheek, he said in low, and
impassioned voice:
'sGod forbid! If you were my wife
would render it impossible for any
one to approach you. I am a jealous
wretch, and my life would be wholly
yours, and / should claim every moment
of your own
She said, still smiling up at him,
while Der fingers strayed into the simple
but touching melody of "Annie Laurie.
EXACTLY. But since I shall never
know such a paradise Of love, am l not
to have glimpse of 1t by escorting you
to the French ball at the Academy to"
morrow night?'
"Will it make you very happy :"
sighed she.
"Will it," he repeated, while bis
dark eyes answered the question.
IF thought Ben would not care.
''As if such a simple, good-natured,
unappreciated creature would think OF
anybody but himself, or even care if
you attended it with Pluto" sneered
her companion, provided he has the
same privilege of dancing with Pros
perine 2" Then noting how her fair
face flushed. he continued, quickly
''Forgive me, Mrs. Cameron. l should
not speak in that manner, but when
with you I am profoundly oblivious of
that husband of yours; for, though l
know him to be right good fellow, he
is unapprec'ative and all that"
Il ought to punish you by a positive
refusal" pouted she.
"You could not be SO cruel. It is
not in your nature"
"Having seen only the Sunny side,
you are not a proper judge Of what l
may be able to do"
81 am positive there can be no dark
side to your character, and you will
make me happy by saying yes to my
plea"
"You have set your heart upon it =
she questioned, coquettishly.
"You know l have, and"
"Enough, then will go, if you
will promise to tell no one of it. !
shall wear simple blue domino, with
mask, and you must bring me home
early. We have accepted invitations
to Mrs. Dana's party but at the last
moment l shall have a headache, and
80 be obliged to let Ben go without
me-"
"Capital i" exclaimed Mr.. La France
ION the knees of my heart I thank
you," and be seized her hand as he
spoke, and led her away from the piano
to cosy seat by the anthracite FIRE,
where the programme was arranged to
their satisfaction.
The next evening Mr.. Ben Cameron
departed alone to fulfill their engage
ment, leaving his wife quite pale and
lang,,id, in a rose-colored wrapper,
endeavoring to assuage terrible head
ache by liberal application of eau-de-
cologne.
Later in the evening, properly dis
guised, she was leaning upon the arm
of dashing cavalier amid gay and
somewhat promiscuous assembly. They
had been Waiting, were heated, and
sought a cool and more secluded place
in the depths of the windows.
"How hot it is l wish l might
take off my mask for moment. am
possibly sitting" said the blue domino,
tanning hsrself furiously.
"The effort makes you warmer, and
he took the fan. "Now you may raise
your mask. am screening your face,
and the next instant he was looking at
her flushed cheeks.
At that moment couple passed very
near, and the voice of the gentleman
caused her instantly to drop the mask
again with smothered explanation.
ssYour husband whispered La
France.
eyes. Is 1t possible he has learned
of my being here, and is searching for
met"
"No. All! my dear Maud, you are
just learning that husbands arrogate to
themselves privileges they upon no &C
count give their wives |"
1t was tbs first time he had address
ed her by her given name with the en-
dearing prefix. II thrilled while it
shocked her, and she had dim percep-
ton that their Irritation was becoming
serious affair, and she was listening to
the language no wife could with self
respect.
Again the black domino, with pref.
ty flower girl upon his arm. passed them