The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-10-12

Jefferson Jones, whom / have never seen,
might perceive, if he wasn't as all the
world gays, the very prince of donkeys."
Jones seized his hat and rushed into
the open air. Six times he went, like a
comet, round the square, then, settling |
his beaver down over his brow, in a very |
prophetic manner, he turned his foot
steps deliberately homeward.
1t was the deceitful calm before the |
whirlwind. He found Edith pale and |
seIfpossessed, as usual. He was quite
as much 50 himseIf-even went so far as
to compliment her on a coquettish little
jacket that fitted her round figure very
charmingly.
'Tm thinking of taking short jour
ney, Edith, said he, seating himself by
her side, and playing with the silken
cord and tassels about her waist. GAS it
is wholly a business trip, it would
hamper me to take you with me; but
you'll hear from me. Meanwhile, you
know how to enjoy yourself--hey,
Edith?"
He looked scarchingly at her. There
was no conscious blush, no change of
expression, no termor of the frame. He
might as we'll have addressed marble
statue.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was posed! Well,
he babe her one of his characteristic
adeaus; and when the door closed, Edith
felt as ifa weight had been lifted off her
heart.
There was but one course for her to
pursue. She knew it-she had already
marked it out. She would deny herself
to all visitors; she would not go abroad
till her husbands return. She was
strong in her purpose. There should be
no door left open for busy scandal to
enter
Of Ainslie she knew nothing, save that
a letter reached her from him after her
marriage, which she had returned IN
opened. And so she wandered restlessly
through those splendid rooms, and, tiled
by this Self-inficted Penance, to atone
for the detection of her heart. Did she
take her guitar, old songs that they had
sung together came unbidden to her lips;
that book, too, they had read. Oh, it
was all misery, turn where she would
Day after day passed-no letter from
Mr.. Jones. The time had already passed
that was fixed upon for his return, and
Edith, nervous from close confinement,
and the weary inward struggle, started
like frightened bird at every football.
It came at last-the letter-soealed
with black. "He had been accidentally
drowned. His hat was found; all search
for the body had been unavailing."
Edith was no hypocrite. She could
not mourn for him, save in the outward
garh OF woe.
Ainslie was just starting for the con-
tinent, by order of a physician, when
the news reached him. A brief time he
gave to decorum, and then they met.
1t is needless to say what that meeting
was. Days and months Of wretChedness
were forgotten, like some dreadful dream
She was again his own Edith, sorrowing
repentant and happy.
They were sitting together one even
ing-Edith's head vas upon his shout
der, and her face radiant as a seraph's
They were speaking of their future
home.
"Any spot on the wide earth but this
dear Ainslie. Take me away from thest
painful associations"
"Say you so, pretty Edith" said
we'll known voice. ~ but tried thai
faithful heart of yours to prove it. Pity
to turn such a pretty comedy into
tragedy; but happen to be manage
here, Young man." said Mr. Jones turn
ing fiercely toward the bewilderec
) Ain:lie.
The revulsion was too dreadful, anc
Edith survived but week. Ainslie be
} came hopelessly insane.
Two lives were thus sacrificed to the
mistakes of moment.
Both had in that brief space openet
up the source of grief Tor life.
} They wsuld not hear and forbea
when it was yet time, by kindly conces
sion, to repair the breach irritation ha'
Io and a brief word would havt