The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-05
Western Union Telegraph Office.
The Mistake of a Lifetime.

nlte-lnen, liletlme 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 Gilbert Ainslie could ever
forget him-least of all, such heart as
Edith's.
She was pale as a snow wreath, and bent
her head gracefully as water lily in rec
ignition to her numerous friends and adj
mirers.
"what a sacrifice !" the latter murmur-
ed.
"What sacrifice my heart echoed.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was an osslilied old
bachelor. He had but one idea in his head
and that was to make money. There was
only one thing he understood equally well
and that was to keep it. He was angu-
lar, prm, cold and precise; mean, grovel-
ing, contemplate and cunning
And Edith-our peerless Edith, whose
lovers were "legion"-Edith, with her pas
sionate heart, her beauty, grace, taste and
refinement-Edith, to vow Glove and hon.
or" to such a soulless block!
1t made me shudder to think Of it!
felt as though his very gaze were profana-
ton.
Well, the wedding was over, and she
was duly installed mistress of Jefferson
House.
She had fine dresses, fine furniture, a
fine oquipage, 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, because 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 upon his arm. OF course
she preferred him to them all-else, why
did she marry him?
Then how deferential she was in her
manner since their marriage how very po-
lite, and how careful TO perform her duty
to the letter Mr.. Jones decided, with his
usual acumen, that there was no room to
doubt on that point
He noticed, indeed, that her girlish gay
ETY. was gone but that was a decided i'm
provement, according to his view. She
was Mrs. Jones now, and meant to keep
all whiskered popin-jays at respectable
distance.
He liked it.
And so, through those interminable eve
nings, Edith sat, playing long games of
chess with him, or listening TO his gains or
losses in the way of trade or reading po-
litical articles of which the words conveyed
no ideas to her absent mind.
She walked through the busy streets,
leaning on his arm with an unseen form
ever at her side; and slept next his heart,
when hers was far away
But when she was aloue-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 avenged?
y
1t was driving storm. Mr.. Jones re-
solved to dine at a tavern instead of return
ing home. He had just seated himself,
and given his order to the obsequious wal
ter, when his attention was attracted by
tho conversation of two gentlemen near
him.
''Have you seen the beautiful Edith since
her marriage, Harry?'
'NO; | feel too much vexed with her.
Such a splendid woman to marry such an
idiot All for foolish quarrel with Aims
lie. You never saw such wreck as it has
made of him. However, she is well pun
ished; for with all of ler consummate tact
and effort to keep up appearances, it is
plain she is the most miserable woman in
existence: as Mr.. Jefferson Jones, whom
have never seen, might perceive, if he
wasn't as all the world says, the very prince
of donkeys."
Jones seized his hat and rushed inta.ihe
open air. six times he went, like comet,
round the square, then settling his beaver
down over his brow, in Il very prophetic
manner, he turned his footsteps deliberately
homeward
1t was the deceltfu calm before the
whirlwind. lie found Edith pale and self
possessed, as usual. He was quite as much
SO himself-even went SO far as to compli-
ment her on a coqaetsh little jacket that
fitted her round figure very charmingly.
'I'm thinking of taking a short journey,
Edith" said he seating himself by her side,
and playing with the silken cord and tassels
about her waist. GAS it is wholly bust
ness trip, it would hamper me to take you
with me. Meanwhile, you know how to
enjoy yourself-hey, Edith2'
He looked searchingly at her. There
was no conscious blush, no change of ex
preston, no tremor of the frame. lii
might as well have addressed marbl,
statue.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was posed Well
he babe her one of his characteristic adieus
and, when the door closed, Edith fel
as if weight had been lifted off he
heart.
There was but one course for her to pur
sue. She knew it-she had already mark
ed it out. She would deny herself to al
visitors; she would not 90 abroad till he
husbands return She was strong in he
purpose There should be no door left opel
for busy scandal to enter.
OF Ainse she knew nothing, save tina
letter reached her from him after he
marriage, which she had returned unopen
ed. And so she wandered restlessly throug
those splendid rooms, and, tried by tn
self-inflcted penance, to atone tor the dc
lection of her heart. Did she take her gu
tar, old songs that they had sung togethe
came unbidden to her lips; that book, toe
they had read. Oh, it was all misery, tur
where she would.
Day after day passed-no letter fror
Kr. Jones. The time had already passe
that was fixed upon for his return, an
Edith, nervous from close confinement
and the weary inward struggle, startled lik
frightened bird at every football.
1t came at last-the letter--sealed wit
black. "He had been accidentally drow;
ed His hat was found all search for I'll
body had been unavailing."
Edith was no hypOcrite. She could M
mourn for him, save in the outward gar
of woe.
Ainslie was just starting for the cont
nent, by order OF a physician, when IL
news reached him. A brief time he gave
decorum, and then they met.
1t is needless to say what that meetr
was. Days and months of wretchedne
were forgotten, like some dreadful dream
She was again his own Edith, sofrowinl
repentant and happy.
They were sitting together one evenlr
-Ediths head was upon his shoulder, al
her face radiant as seraph's. They we
speaking of their future home.
'Any spot on the wide earth but thi
dear Ainslie. Take me away from the
painful associations"
'Say you 80, pretty Edith?' said We
known voice. II but tried that faithf
heart of yours to prove it. Pity to tut
such a pretty comedy into tragedy; b
happen to be manager here, young man