The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-31

menced visiting the house and Mrs. Hamll-
ton learned to look for his coming with un-
feigned pleasure. Left to herself so much
she turned eagerly to anything that would
direct her mind from the fears and suspic
ions that were fast entering her heart that
her husband loved Helen Dumont. She had
known Paul so long, even before her mar
riage, had passed so many pleasant hours
with him. knew that he had Judge Hamil-
toms confidence, that she felt no danger in
ways in the room, but while she
PLAYED or sang, Blanche would talk
TO the friend of her girlhood who had such
bright gladdening words that after he left
her the memories remained and cheered her
for DAYS He seemed interested in Miss Du-
mont, and several times had taken her to
ride and to the opera, but while he would be
awaiting her in the parlor he would talk TO
Blanche and often sing with her the old
time melodies they both so much admired.
He could not fail to see that she was I'M
happy, for the fair face was losing its round
ness and the dark eyes were often clouded
with tears but no hint did he give of this,
but he strove to cheer and comfort her as
best he could, and she eagerly accepted every
word or look of sympathy and friendship.
The world, that wags its gossipy tongue so
glibly when suspicious are the theme, told
over the gradual separation of Judge Hamil-
ton and his wife, and shook its head when
mistaken. There was no doubt 70 argus-eyed
rumor that Mrs. Hamilton would some day
be Mrs. Richmond, and Helen Dumont
would take the vacated place IN the house
| hold. for the WAYS of the law are numerous
| to relieve unwilling necks from the unpleas-
ant marital yoke. And yet no whisper of this
| was waited to the ears of the parties most in
terested, but they dwelt as yet in ignorance
of the foreknowledge of society. And yet
Blanche Hamilton was grieving for hus-
| bands love, lost forever, as she supposed
| a love she might have once gained had she
| only tried, for which she now would give her
very life to possess. She coveted every word
that he addressed to Helen, though they
were those of friendship only. She envied
| her the simplest morning greeting or even
| ing farewell, and yet she would rather he
| should be happy than to have cOntentment
| and peace herself, and she resolved that
| she would go away quietly, would give him
a chance for divorce, and then he could
marry whom he chose. And yet, if he was
happy, why were the gray hairs sprinkling so
| thickly the brow Why was his face grow
ing sadder? Why did he shut himself so
| closely in with his books? All! because his
| honor and his love were in deadly struggle,
and she would go away and all would be
| we'll And when she had forced herself to
| this decision, she settled down into the
| apathy Of despair. She went into his study
one afternoon to tell him that she wanted to
| 90 away, but he was asleep ON the lounge,
| and she would not waken him, even TO tell
| him of the freedom she would offer him.
| As she stood by his side the long crushed
| love overcame her, and, kneeling by him,
she strOked softly the heavy
hair from his temples, and for
the first time in her life
gently kissed his forehead, and then like a
| guilty creature she darted from the room.
The Judge, awakened by the soft liDs, caught
| but glimpse of his wife, and for moment
| hope lit up his heart, and then the darkest
| despair settled over it again. poor child,
| she need not start from me so timidly. /
have crushed and killed her love for me
and it is no wonder / was too old and grave
| for such girl, and though thought to make
| her happy, I have failed, and have ruined
| two lives that had hoped | might bless L
| can see she loves Paul Richmond. He is
nearer her own age, and can more tenderly
| care for her than l. but he will never love
her better. But will go away and let her
have the freedom ought never to have taken
| from her, and after awhile by law she will
have the right to marry him. Helen told me
| yesterday was too cold to my wife. and l
| laughed at her. | thought she liked it, but
| see now my mistake. l will do all L can
| to give her a chance for happiness again. l
thought Helen loved Paul, and hoped they
would marry, for she is all alone in the
i
II it were not for the future, for my hope of
heaven, Blanche Hamilton would be free
| ere another hour but not even for her can
send my soul unbidden before God"
That night Paul Richmond and Mrs. Ham,
ilton stood in the parlor talking; they were
| waiting for Helen and the judge, the one
| from a call and the other from his Office
The gentleman seemed nervous and restless,
as If an xious to tell something that weighed
upon his mind. and he paced the floor inn
patiently. Mrs. Hamilton was pale and
| quiet; she had seen her husbands preoccu-
pied air. and noticed his attention to Helen,
and now that all anger was past she was very
sad. but composed. She would be away in
day or two and then there would be ample
time for tears; now she must act her part
through to the bitter end.
They hard Helen go to her room, and in a
moment the Judge entered his study, and
Mr. Richmond, as il moved by their COM
ing said abruptly, Mrs. Hamilton, love
Miss Dumont, and this morning asked her
to be my wife; will you not use your iniu-
ence with her to induce her to be mine?
gentle nature is so pure and true that | can
not give her up"
Blanche sat horror stricken. Would
Helen tell this man that she loved another,
and then would he find out that her hus-
band was the one and then the world would
know the secret she hoped TO have kept
locked in her own heart for time at least?
Grand one hope filed her heart-would
Paul Richmond win his coveted prize and
thus save her homer" / will do all can for
you, and / trust you may be successful
but do not know Miss Dumont's likes and
dislikes." "Will you speak good word for
rue, Mrs Hamilton? l will never forget your
kindness. / will try to make one welded
life as happy as lies in the power of man"
At this moment Judge Hamilton and Ellen
entered the room and both heard the last
sentence, and both stopped as IL 10th to in
terrupt the conversation, but neither rightly
interpreted the words. To Homer Hamilton
they we're the death knell of his last hope.