Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-14

instead of the expected brahmas; and
how the old fellow thought this was
working out of the Gypsy spell?
And don't You recollect the unmerci-
tul trimming we caught at home?
My bones ache yet"
Maurice was laughing uproarious-
ly over these "reminiscences, and his
mirlh was contagious. for his brother
laughed too, long and heartily-evi-
IDENTIFY for the first time i'll many
months.
"Why then, can't you trust me as
fully now as you did in those times.
Howard?" continued Maurice, fol-
lowing up his advantage. II hope
am as true, and certainly there is
no doubt am much less giddy. l
have learned a thing or two III all
these years"
"You always were shrewd and
clever, Maurice, and perhaps | had
better be frank with you, after all.
You know what life l am forced to
lead, and Marian has been forced to
share it. She has not had my resig-
nation: her love has been woman's
Iove-ardeht enough to begin with,
but cooling with time and trial. Her
fidelity has changed from that pretty
sentiment we read of in poetry to
that other sort we too often expert
ence-the fidelity Of slave who
clings to you because he can't get
away"
"rhis i unjust-most cruel! You
wrong her; she never loved you more
devoted, brother "She has been
holding conference with you, | see"
said Howard with dark, pcevish
smile. "What she has said will
weigh nothing against what | have
seen. Last night l was standing at
the window at the top of the stair
case watching the star Jupiter, and
noting the peculiar brightness it SO
BEAUTIFULLY takes us twilight deepens
into night. All kinds of idle fancies
were in my mind. Suddenly Hooked
down INTO tie garden, and-l suppos-
ed you noticed the brick wall which
divides it from the next door?-two
persons stood therc-my wife in her
white burnoose, was one, lingering
on this side of the wall and leaning
over. On the other side stood my
handsome neighbor, Ashly Travers.
l watched them with a good deal of
interest. 1t was a situation sugges-
tive of that in Millais's picture.
Presently Mr.. Travers leaned over
and kissed my wife, she waved her
hand and they separated. These
things I sor, remember"
Maurice looked very grave and dis
turbed.
but you have been troubled for
weeks, they tell me??"
"With good reason; about a month
ago l found Il love letter, i'll my wife's
handwriting, which first gave rise to
my suspicious"
'Indeed!'
'Judgc of this for yourself"
He handed his brother note in
Marian's well known penmanship,
and these were its contents:
/ My Own DEAR AsHLY-You are to imprudent
sometimes believe we are observed. Patience
and all may yet be well In any event, do not
doubt my love and faith "
IL don't know what to Think" said
Maurice, as he handed the note back.
81 always thought Marian the
purest and best of women. My add
vice is to go to her at once and de-
mand of her an explanation"
Howard Aubray laughed bitterly.
"Shc could explain it, of course
what woman could not? What does
the Moor say in that great play?-
'When | doubt I'll prove, and on the
proof, there is no more but this: away
at once with love or jealousy You
know what | mean by that"
''But YOU must not act rashly.
Come let us take good long drive
together, and have the benefit of the
fresh air. | am ready to act with
you in anything that concerns your
honor; but there are things sometimes
done that cannot be undone."
Howard Aubray did not care to 90;
but his brother insisted. They rode
far away together, discussing but the
one wretched subject; and night had
fallen rs they returned. The horse and
vehicle were given to the hostler at
the gate and the brothers walked to-
ward the house.
The glaring copper disk of the
moon was just visible through the
trees. Everything around was cut
white and sharp in its brilliant light.
The melancholy chant of the tree
frogs mingled with the sweet contral-
to voice of the whippoorwlll.
SO pleasant was the scene that, for
the moment, Howard also forgot
everything in contemplation. There
was not chord in his nature unmov-
ed. The air, stirred very lightly by
the breeze, was full Of that peculiar
fragrance which belongs to a Sum
mer evening in the country. Bright
as the moon was its splendor did not
dim a single collation., and overhead
the heavens glittered with the stars
that had mustered there.
"Intoxicating," murmucd Howard
They went on passing the garden
gate the latch tinkling softly; and
then quietly across the deep grass.
Suddenly Howard paused.
"Lookw he said, eyeballs fierce
and round in the moonlight, and his
face pale as death.
BY the brick wall on this side
stood Il woman with white burnoose
on her head. Her figure was unmis
taxable. 1t was Marian.
On the other side stood 4 young
man tall and dark. He held her
hand, and her arm shone pallid as
ivory under the golden simmer
that fell streaming from-the stars
above.
Suddenly he leaned over and kissed
her.
With n horrid curse of fury and
despair, Howard ARRAY took some
thing from his breast and held 1t be
fore him. There was flash and a
report, and then scream. The
guilty woman recled and fell.