Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-08-17
The Mistake of a Lifetime.

disunite-then, lifetime OF misery.
Edith May stood before me in her
bridal dress. The whole world was to
be made believe she was happy and
heart whole. / knew better. / knew
that no woman who had once loved Gil
bert Ainslie could ever forget him-least
of all, such heart as Edith's.
She was pale as snow wreath, and
bent her head gracefully as a water lily
in recognition Of her numerous friends
and admirers.
sWhat sacrifice I" the latter MUIR
INJURED.
"What sacrificed" my heart echoed.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was an ossifed
old bachelor. He had but one idea In
his head, and that was to make money.
There was only one thing he understood
equally weu-and that was to keep it.
He was angular, prim, cold and precise !:
mean, groveling, contemplate and cum
ming.
And E lith-our peerless Edith, whose
lovers were "legion Edith, with her
passionate heart, her beauty, grace,
taste and refinement Edith, to vow
."love and honor" to such soulless
block
1t made me shudder to think of it! I
felt as though his very gaze we're profa-
nation.
Well, the wedding was over, and she
was duly installed mistress OF Jefferson
House. .,, '.---,~,J
She had fine dresses, fine furniture, a
fine eauipage, and the most stupid in
cumbrance In the shape of an old hus-
band.
But Mr.. Jefferson Jones was very
proud of his bride: firstly, because she
added to his importance secondly, be
cause he plumed himself not little in
bearing off so dainty prize. 1t gave
him malicious pleasure to meet her
old admirers, with the graceful Edith up
on his arm. OF course she preferred him
to them au-else, why did. she marry
him2
Then how deferential she was in her
manner since their marriage; how very
polite, and how careful to perform her
duty to thesetterl Mr.. Jones decided,
with his usual acumen, that there was
no room to doubt on that point !
He noticed, indeed, that her girlish
gayety was gone /; bat that was decided
Improvement, according to his view.
She was Mrs. Jones now, and meant to
keep all whiskered popinjays at re-
spectacle distance.
He liked it!
And so, through those interminable
evenings, Edith sat, playing long games
of chess with him, or listening to his
gains or losses in the way of trade or
reading political articles of which the
words conveyed no ideas to her absent
mind.
She walked through tie busy streets,
leading on his arm, with ali unseen form
ever at her side; and slept next his
heart, when hers was far awayl
But when she was alone-no human
eye to read her sad secret, her small
hands .clasped in agony, and her fair
head bent to the very dust-was he not
avenged2
It was driving storm. Mr.. Jones
resolved to dine at tavern instead of
returning home. He had just seated
himself, and given his order to the
obseauious waiter, when his attention
was attracted by the conversation Of two
gentlemen near him.
"Haye you seen the beautiful Edith
since her marriage, Harry%
"No; feel too much ve1ed with her.
= Such splendid woman to marry such
an idiot ALI for foolish quarrel with
Ainslie. You never saw such wreck as
it has made of him. However, she is
well punished; for, with all of her con-
summate tact and effort to keep up ap'
pearancss, it is plain she is the most
miserable woman In existence; as Mr.
Jefferson Jones, whom I have never seen
might perceive, if he wasn't. IS all the
world says, the very prince of donkeys.
Jones seized his b t and rushed intc
the open air. Six times he went, like s
comet, round the square, then, settling
his beaver down over his brow, In a yer.
prophetic manner, he turned his foot
steps. deliberately homeward.
It was the deceitful calm before thu
whirlwind. He found Edith pale ant
self. possessed, as usual. de was quit'
as mUCQ so QlmS6u-SNGu Wcub oo lai q
to compliment her on coquettish LITTLE
Jacket that fitted her round figure YER.
charmingly.
"I'm thinking of taking short jour
ney, Edith" said he, seating himself b.
her side, and playing with the silkel
cord and tasseIs about her waist. GA
it is wholly business trip, it woul'
hamper me to take you with me; hu
you'll hear from me. Meanwhile, yo'
know how to enjoy yourself-hey
Edith9"
He looked searchingly at her. Their
was no conscious blush, no change Q
expression, no tremor of the frame. 81
might as we'll have addressed marbl
statue,
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was posed Vel
he bade her one of his characteristic
adieus; and, when the door closed
Edith felt as if weight had been LITE
off her heart.
Thera was but one course for ! er
rnrsue. Che knew is--she had slread