Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-01-29
A Woman's Rev alton.

My husband came tcnderly 10 my slde.
Are you going out this evening, love 2
''0f course am.
l looked down complaceLtly at my dress OF
pink Grape, dew dropped over with crystal,
aud the trails Of pink azaleas that caught up
its folds bere and there, A diamond bracelet
encircled one round white arm, and little
cross bazed ftfully at my throat. | had never
looked better, and felt a sort of girlish pride
as my eye met the fairy reflection in the mir
ror.
Come, Gerald make haste why, you
haven t begun TO dress yet !"
Where were my wifely instincts that did
not see the hageard, downcast look 10 his feat
urts-the vcxed light in his eyes?
:" can't 90 tonight, MADELINE am moi
well enough"
You are never well enough to oblige me
Gerald. | am tired Of being put of with sucl
excuses"
lie made no answer, but dropped his head
into bis bands on the table before him.
"Oh, come, Gerald" | urged petulenily
e" 1t is so awkward for me to 60 alone always
lie shook his head listlessly.
81 thought perhaps you would be willing
to remain q, home With ne, Madeline"
Men are so selfish" said plaintirely,
d" and am well dressed Claudia took hall
an hour for my hair. dare say you will be
a great deal quieter without me-that is, II
you are determined not to CO.
No answer again.
Well, if you choose to be sullen ! can't
help it," said lightly as ! turned and went
out of the room, adjusting my silver boquet
holder, the tuberofcs and heliotropes seemed to
distill incehse at cvery motion.
Was heartess aud cruel? Had ceased
10 love my husband? From the bottom Of
my heart believed that loved him as truly
and tcnderly as ever wife did, but had been
SO spoiled aud pcttcd all ny brief selfish life,
that the better instincts were, so to speak, en-
tombed alive.
went to lie party and had my gil Of adu-
latiou and homage, as usual. The hours SEEM
ed to glide away, shed with roses and winged
with music and rich perfume; and it was not
until. wcaricd with dancing, sought mo-
mcutary refuge in the hali-ligbted tea-room,
that heard words awakening me, rs il were,
from a dream.
"Gerald Glen ?"
| could not be mistaken in the name-it
was scarcely commonplace enough for that.
They were talking-two or three stout, busi-
ess-like-looking geutlemen-in the ball with
out and could catch now aud then fugitive
word or phrase.
Fine, en,efprising young fellow great
pity totally ruined, so Bessie McMorken says! !!
reckless extrayagance Of lis wife,
All these vague fragments heard. and then
Que said
"Anl what is be ing to DO nov p
What can he do? ! am sorry yet lie
should have calculated his income aud expen-
ses better Or bis wife should. Deuce take
these women-ihey are at the bottom Of all
& mans ,rorbes -
And they laughed Oh, how could they T?
l bad yet to learn how easy it is in this world
to bear other peoples troubles.
rose hurriedly up, with my heart beating
tumultuousy beneath the pink azeleas and
went back to the lighted corridors. Albany
Moore was waiting to claim my hand for the
next redowa.
"Are you i'll, Mrs. Glen? How pale you
look y
III am no, very well. wish you would
have my carriage called, Mr. Moore" For
now felt that home was the place for me.
Hurried by some upaccountable impulse. /
sprang out the moment the carriage wheels
touched The curbstone, and rushed up to my
husbands room. The door was locked, but /
could see the light shining under the thres-
hold. knocked wildly aud perSisteutly.
Gerald! Gerald For Heavens sake let
me inl'
Something fell on the marble hearth-s.one
within, making metallic clinck, and my. hus-
uaud opened the door a little way. I had