The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-22
THE MISTAKE OF A LIFE
TIME.

IA formal parting between INO hcdiiS
that neither time nor distance could ever
disunite-thcn, a lifetime of misery.
Edith May stood before me her
bridal dress. The whole world was to be
made believe she was happy and heart
whole 1 knew better. knew that no
woman who had once loved Gilbert
Ainslie could ever forget him-least of
all, such a heart a. EdIths.
She was pa,c as 4 snow wreath, and
bent her head gracefully as water lily
in recognition of her numerous friends
and admirers.
"What sacrifice p the latter muir
INJURED
'Wbat sacrifice" my heart echoed.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was an ossifed
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 angular, prime, Geld and precise !;
mean, groveling, contemplate and cum
ming.
And Edith-our peerless Edith whose
lovers were '.le-ion'-Edith, with her
passionate heart, her beauty, grace, taste
and refnment-Edith to VOW Glove and
honor" TO such soulless block
1t made me shudder to think of it.
felt as though his very gaze were profa-
nation.
Well, the wedding was over, and she
was duly installed mistress of jefferson
House.
She had fine dresses, fine furniture, a
fine equipage, and the most stupid in
cumbrauce 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, be-
cause he plumed himself not little in
bearing off so dainty prize. 1t gave
him a malicious pleasure to meet her old
admirers, with the graceful Edith on 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
polite, and how careful to perform her
duty to the letter. Mr.. Jones decided,
with his usual acnmen, that there was
ne room to doubt on that point.
He noticed, indeed, that her girlish
gayety was gone but that was decided
improvement, according to his view
She was Mrs. Jones now, and meant to
keep all whiskered popinjays at a re-
spectful distance.
He liked it
And so, though those interminable
evenings, Edith sat, playing long games
of chess with him, or listening to his
gains or losses in the way of trade; or
reading political articles of which the
words conveyed no idea 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 alone-no human
eve to read her sad secret, her small
hands clasped in agony, and her fair head
bent to the very dust-was he not
avenged.
1t was a driving storm. Mr.. Jones
resolved to dine at tavern instead OF
returning home. He had just seated
himself, and given his order to the OBJ
sequeous waiter, when his attention was
attracted by the conversation of two
rrop tla,,a, ,,aar him
"Have you seen the beautiful Edith
since her marriage, Harry ?"
'fNo, | feel too much vexed with her.
Such a splendid woman to marry such
an idiot! All for foolish quarrel with
Ainslie. You never saw such wreck
as it has made of MIN. However, she is
we'll punished for, with all of her con-
summate tact and effort to keep up APP
pearances, 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 into
the open air. Six times he went, like
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
He found Edith pale and
as usual. He was quite
as much so himselt-even went so far rs
to compliment her on coquettish little
jacket that fitted her round figure very
''Pm 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 takrnxou with me: but
you'll hear fron, Meanwhile, you
know how to- 10Y yourself-hey,
Ediths''
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, q
re babe her one of his characteristic :
'deaus; and when the door closed, Edith I
cit as ifa weight had been lifted off her
leart.
There was but one course for her to n
'ursue. She knew it-she had already
narked it out. She would deny herself
o all visitors; she would not go abroad "
i'll her husbands return. She was u
frong in her purpose There should be Ii
o'door left open for busy scandal to =
inter- "
OF AiIislie she Enew noihing, save that C
letter reached ncr from him after her "
arriage, which she had returned TN Pc
pened. And : she wandered re-tlessIy "
rough those splendid rooms. and. tied
this slfinfictd pensnce, 10 atone e
J the detection Of l.-r heat. Did she su