The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-01-24
a sSLyER-LINED CLOUD.
BY GRACE THORNTON.

counting house He had locked the
door to prevent intrusion, and the
busy movement of his clerk outside
came to his ear family, as be sat with
his head buried in bis hands, and an
expression of abject misery marking
his handsome face.
He had learned, within that hour,
thar be was ruined man, and the
consciousness had burst upon him
with q stunning horror, for be was
not alone 10 snlfer.
Blt three months before be had led
10 the altar the most beautiful and
capricious belle C the season. He
hrl been congratulated aud envied
by al bis acquaintances. and after a
fashionable wedding tour, wherein
her marvellous frouSSeau was display
ed - it, best advantage, they had re-
turned 10 the snowy and splendid
home be had fitted up for her recep-
ton. aud a round of gayeties had
followed, in which she bad shown the
queen, and be had been considered
the luckiest of bridegrooms.
Their life had been SO filed with
display and excitement heretofore
that they really had not had much
time to grow acquainted with each
other. They had scarcely ever spent
an evening alone together. The
hours be could spare from business
had been occupied in dressing for
various entertainments, the chief en-
iovmeut of which had been, to him;
10 hear his wife called the handsomest
woman present and even that de-
light had begun to pale. and a vague
longing for sJmething better than
dazzle aud show, bad begun TO assert
itself within his mind.
Dora had been al orphan, brought
up by fashionable aunt, with ex-
pensige tastes aud o passion for gay
society.
Sbe bad brought Egbert 90 fortune
bevond the trife sased from her
.bowv education, which, her aunt
said. would serve a. piD-money for
tbe first yesr or two; but that was
no consideration 10 the rich aud geu-
erous Young husband, whose prosper
Gus business speculations promised
.oon Ia make him q millionaire.
Now all was lost A cloud, az FIRST
no largen than a mans hand. had
spread into q hurrican of desolstiol
and despair.
A whisper of suspicion on the part
of a great clearinghouse with which
be was deeply concerned, had swelled
into positive assurance within the
hour. His investments were widely
spread, and boldly yentured there
was no possibility Of recall. The
crash csuld not be resis,ed-lhe blow
must and did fall.
"Onlv for Dora,n be muttered to
himseli, as be raised his gbas,ly white
face from is dropping position, and
flung back his damp hair, II could
meet it Ike a man-only for her u
He recalled her butterfly life OF
cayety aod splendor-her passion for
excitement and admiration; and then
to face the dread reality
before him.
"If she were widow she would
marry again. There are other for
tunes that may be hers, if you will
make Ter free whispered the temp
ter. and Egbert's despairing eyes
toward the pistol case hidden
IN bis desk
he sprsng up and locked it quick
ly. He woald not entertain 30 base
and cowsrdly thought
flt mus. be done, sooner or later, T"
he said, decidedly. she must know
il, aud it Is cruel to let it reach her
through sny means but mine"
He composed his face aud passed
out among his employees, locking but
little shaken, except in his loss Of
color, and they whispered among
how well be bore it
He walked toward home. and as
he entered its elegant ball, his wife
passed him, with rich lace shawl
thrown oyer her shoulders
"You are Just 10 time to see g per-
fec; gem" she cried gsily. Come
back into the parlor. where can dis
play it to better advantage. SEES
it not rarely beautiful2 The Blanks
it expressly to my order. |"
Vain snd friyolous.n wss bis Iu-
ward comment, as be turned aside
with q look of wreiehedness, and
thought, Wat shall dos How
can | break such tidings 70 20 un-
thinking q heing-sueh spoiled
darling Of fortune."
"You are out Of humor. ii seems, I"
she said, with a gaze of cold sur
prise, for his manner had piqued her.
and she was too accustomed 10 adu-
lation 10 brook ne ELECT tamely.
He did not answer at 6rst, bot
Sung himself into D seat, and cast