The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1877-05-03

demure LOOK, but didn't seem unfa-
vorable.
"WelI, Leonard, it certainly is some
time since we have been, and"
Every well, them" broke in her
husband, Lets get supper over. I'll
| just 60 and order q hack"
In due time arrangements were
completed, the hack arrived, and be-
fore very long the pair were comfor-
tabiy seated directly in front of the
stage, wishing for the curtain to rise.
In the meantime Minnie became the
unconscious focus of many opera
glasses, as was usually the case when
she appeared in public.
Leonard had gradually been re-
gaining his even fiow OF spirits, and
by the time that the orchestra COM
menced with the well-knOwn delight
full airs he was quite ready to enjoy to
its full the peculiar pleasure Of the
entertainment. All went splendidly.
The prima donna was q noted "stAr, -
and entranced the house with her
singing. Minnie was totally absorbed
In the performance, when she sud-
denly felt her husband start. At the
same time she noticed a disturbance
on the stage. What was the matter?
Oh, it was nothing, said the peOpl g
next to her only one of the chorus
who had tainted. Look, they were
carrying her off the stage. Minnie
looked sc Leonard and saw a pale,
anxious look on his face that she had
never before seen there. Thinking
nothing Of the slight confusion be-
fore her, shs laid her hand Upon her
husbands arm
"What is the matter with you,
Leonard :" she whispered. HDOn't
you feel well ?"
Nothing, nothing" he replied
hastily. SIT WAS only for the mo-
ment. Aud yet -- would you
mind it if we left the theater ?'
"Let US go at once. Give me lay
shawl"
They rose from their places and left
the theater, the performance going on
as If nothing had happened to disturb
it. When they were outside Vincent
seemed to alter his mind.
"Minnie," he said, his voice tremb-
ling slightly, "would you mind GO
ing home alone 1t was foolish to
disturb your enjoyment. L feel all
right now; but it is hardly worth
while going back, and / think l will
take the opportunity OF going to see
friend In town whom have often
promised to call on.
At first she demonstrated, but at
length, as Leonard began TO show
signs of irritation, she pressed him no
further, and LEFT him to return home.
Hitherto the threateBed snow storm
had held back, but now white speeks
began to dot tue air, falling steadily.
Leonard showed no intention of GO
ing to visit his friend, but paced hur-
riedly up and down in 'front.' o. the
theater, repeatedly looking at his
watch. Old memories were at work
within his mind, and his knit brOws
and anxious look indicated the work.
ing OF some strong emotion. AT
length ten o'clock struck, and the peO-
pie began to swarm out of the theatre.
Hastily walking down narrow,
gloomy street that led along side Of
the house, he stopped before the stage
door, as if awaiting some one. Short
ly the door opened aud, one after an
other, m1ffied forms appeared. He
peered into their faces as they passed
out, but seemed to recognize none, till
at length q tall female figure came
down the steps, and, after hesitating
moment, walked down the dark
street. Leonard could not see the
face, but the walk OF tine figure he
could not mistake. With light, quick
steps on the new falling snow he fol-
lowed her and, when they had come
to q spot slightly illuminated by a
street lamp, he stepped up quite close
to her and touched her. She turned
around hurriedly, gazed eagerly in his
face, then threw her arms around his
neck and sobbed eonvulsively.
'I saw you, / knew you at once
1t was wrong. 1t was unkind Of you
But now I have found you again l
can forgive erything."
Her ineoherent sentences were
spoken as quickly as her sobs would
permit, and till she had ceased Leon
ard could not speak word. Then he
gently removed her arms from his
neck, and as abe gEZed eagerly at him
she saw his face was CHASTITY pale. He
spoke slowly and as if with difficulty.
Laura, you must not think OF me.
We must not see each other again.
She was you saw my wife"
He paused.l The light of half re-
proach, half joy that had shOne from
her eyes was suddenly changed into a
wild glare of madness, She strOve to
speak, but could not. Leonard, terri
fled at her look, went on In humblin g
tones.
"Listen to me, Laura. It is not my
fault. They told me you were-dead,
She caught both his hands lightly
in her own, and whispered rather
than spoke.
sit does not matter. 1t does not
matter. They were right was
dead.
Then with a powerful effort she
seemed to gain command over berself
and spoke calmly, but reprOachfully,
"And yOuwould leave me at once
without talking over old times with
me? 1 have so much to tell you.
Come, at least you will come to my
house and sit one hour with me and
talk"
He could not resist her voice, but
he answered nothing. She turned
quickly round and led the way, he
following her with difficulty. The
snow was now descending heavily
and the storm wind began to whistle
through the narrow street, and heap
up the white drifts against the houses.
Leonard knew not the direction in
which they were going; the snow
and sleet in his face scarcely allowed
him to keep in sight Of the tall, DARK
figure that seemed almost to fly be-
fore him. Now and then she turned
H.. offlI fnllnNryaA hnr
and each time beekoned him to 20
faster. They had been walking thus
for some time, when Leonard raised
his eyes to see where they were go
ing. They had got out Of the regular
streets and he could only see a few
houses around him. The storm was
raging fearfully and the snow was al
ready so deep as to render walking
difficult. He stopped and called to
her.
"Laura 1 can not go further
where do you live ?"
She did not turn around to him,
only beekoned with her hand, and
cried, "Only q little further"
Leonard could not see at all where
he was. In the utmost perplexity he
still followed. Finally they came to
the top Of q short flight Of steps, be.
low where he could discern q long, !
level, white track. They both stop !
ped at the same moment. Leonard |
strained his eyes through the storm |
and dark, and then suddenly drew |
back. Laura ! where are you going? |
oh, God, iL Is the river ~
She answered with a wild shrek OF |
laughter, clasped him fiercely round |
the neck and dragged him down the |
steps. In vain he tried to struggle, |
for she was nerved with the strength |
of frenzy. There was q plunge, q |
as the thin layer Of ice gave |
way, splashing Of the water on the |
lowest step, and then all was still. |
The thick snow seOn made the river |
once more q smooth white surface, |
and the hidden depths bore witness
to the edict that sins Of the fathers |
shall be visited upon the children.
SPRING HATS.
On this popular subject, Just now,