Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-12-09

earnest request Slade kept away from
the ceremony; by that means she was
not compelled to wear the air of vic
tim, but could fling the cloak OF illusory
happiness and gayety over her aching
heart; and she did it, too. She was as
gay bride as had been seen for some
years in those parts.
Ephraim Slade was very unhappy.
However, after Lit, he comprehended
the character of Sophia Clarke, nee
jackson, and even initiated her. She
had gone in for money, and so did he;
only, on the square-a detail she had
omitted. Years went on; he became a
partner in the house, instead of a clerk.
The girls set their caps at him. But he
did not marry. Mrs. Clarke observed
this, and secretly approved. Say she
had married, that was no reason why he
should.
Now you will observe that by all the
laws of fiction Mrs. Clarke ought to
have learned to her cost that money does
noSbring happiness, and ought to have
been miserable, especially whenever she
encountered the pale face Of him whose
love she valued too late.
Well, she broke all these laws, and
went in for life as it is. She was hap
pier than some wives. Her husband
was k nd, but not doting; gentle mas
ter, but no slave; and she liked it. Che
had two beautiful children, and they
helped fill her life. Her husbands g gold
smoothed her path, AMI his manly affec-
tion strewed it with flowers. She was
not passionately devoted to him, but
still, by the very laws of nature, the
wife was fonder Of Jonathan than the
maid had ever been of Ephraim; not
but what the latter remaining unmar-
ried tickled her vanity and SO completed
her content.
She passed six years in clover, and
the clover in full bloom all the time.
Nevertheless, gilt happiness is apt to
get rub sooner or later; Clarke had
losses one upon another, and at last told
her he was done for; he must go back
to California and make another fortune.
"Lucky the old folks made me settle a
good lump on you" }" he said. "You are
all right and the children" !"
Away went stout hearted Clarke, and
left his wife behind. He knew the coun-
try, and went at all iu the ring and be-
gun to make money fast.
His letters were not very frequent,
nor models of conjugal love, but they
had good qualities; one was their con-
tents-a draft on New York.
Some mischievoLs person reported
that he was often seen about with the
same lady; but Mrs. Clarke cid not be-
lieve that, the remittances being rtgu-
lar.
But presently both letters and remit
tances ceased. Then she believed the
worst, and sent bitter remonstranoe.
She received no reply.
Then she wrote bitterer one, and,
for the first time since their union, cast
Ephraim Slade in his teeth. "There
he is," said she, unmarried to this
day, for my sake"
No reply even to this.
She went to her parents, and told
them how she was used.
They said they had foreseen it, and
then, after few pros and cons, they
bade her observe that her old lover,
Ephraim Slade, was rich man, man
unmarried evidently for her sake; and
if she was wise, she would look that
way, and get rid of mock husband,
who was probably either dead or false,
and, in any case, had deserted her.
"But what am to do2" said Mrs.
Clarke, affecting not to know what they
were driving OF.
"Why, sue for divorce"
"Divorce Jonathanl Think of it |!
He is the father Of my children, and he
was a good husband to me all the time
he was with mo. It is all that nasty
California. And she begun to cry.
The old people told her she must take
people as they were, not as they had
been /; and that it was no fault of hers,
nor California's, if her husband was q
changed man.
In short, they pressed her hard to sue
for o divorce, and let Slade know she
was going to DO it.
But the woman was still handsome
and under thirty, and was not without o
certain pride and delicacy that grace her
sex even when they lack the more solid
virtues. "No," said she, 81 will never
GO begging to any man. I'll not let
Ephraim Slade think I divorced my
husband just to get him. I'll part with
Jonathan, since he has parted with me,
and after that I will take my chance
Ephraim Sladea he is not the only man
in the world with eyes in his head"
So she sued for divorce. When she
was free she had no longer any scruple
about Ephraim. He lived at town
seven miles from her. She had friend
in that town. She paid her a viait.
She let the other lady into her plans,
and secured her cooperation. Mrs.
x. set it abroad that Mrs. Clarke was o
widow; and, from one to another,
Ephraim Slade was given to understand
that visit from him would be agree
able.
"Will its" said Ephriam. "Then
I'll CO."
He called on her and was received
with sweet, pensive tenderness. "Sit
down, Ephraim--Mr. Slade," said she,
softly and TREMENDOUSLY, and left the
room. She had scarcely cleared it,
when he heard her tell tho female ser
want, with sharp, imoerious tone, to
admit no other visitor. Ii did not seem
the same voice. She came back to him
melodious. "The sight OF you after 40
many years upset me" said she. Then,
after pause and sigh "You look
well."
"Oh, yes am oil right. We are
neither of us quite so young as we were,
you know"
"No, indeed" with another sigh.
"Well, dear friend, suppose you have
heard. I am punished, you see, for my