Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-03-27
NM HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE.


with crystal and the trails of pink
azaleas tnat caught up its folds here and
there. A diamond bracelet encircled one
round, white arm, and little cross
blazed fitfully at my throat. had ney-
er looked better, and | felt sort Of sgirl-
ish pride as my eye met. the fair reflec-
tion I'm my mirror.
"Come, Gerald, make haste! Why,
you haven't begun to dress YETI"
Where were my. wifely instincts. that
did not see the haggard, drawn look OH
his features-the fevered light in his
eyes? n.e .f
II cannot go tonight, Madeline / am
not well enough"
You are never well enough to oblige
me, Gerald. am tired of being put of
with such excuses"
He made no answer, hut drooped his
head in his hands on the table before
him.
"Ob. come. Gerald" urged, petuant-
ly; lit is so awkward for me to 60 alone
always!" 4au :,
de shook mis- head, listlessly.
II thought perhaps you would be
willing to remain at home with me,
Madeline"
Men are so selfish ~ said paintive-
ly; land am all dressed. Claudia took
half an hour for my hair. l dare say
you'll be great deal quieter without
me-that is. ifyon are determined not to
CO." @ -
| No answer again.
well, if you choose to be sifllen, /
can't help it," said, lightly. as l turned
and went out of the room, adjusting::lny
bOquet holder, the tuberOse and hello
trOpes seeming to dlstill incens. at every
motion.
Was heartless and cruel? Had |
ceased to love my husband? From the
bottom of my heart believe that
L loved him as truly and tenderly as
ever wife did; but hal been so. spoiled
and petted all my brief. selfish life, that
the better instincts We're, so to speak, en-.
tOmbed alive.
went 70 the party, and had my fill OF
adulatiOn and homage, as usual. The
hours seem to glide away, shod with
roses and winged with music and per
fune; and it vas not until. wearied with
dancing sought mOmentary refuge in
the half-lighted tea room, that / heard
words awakening me as it were from a
dream:
Gerald Glenn!"
IcOuld not we'll be mistaken i'm the
name-it was scarcely commonplace
enough tor that. They We're talking, two
or three business like looking gentlemen
in the hall without; and l could catch
now and then. a fugitive word or phrase.
Fine enterprising Young fellow"
I-"Great pity!"-"Totally ruined.so Bees
and McMorken say!"-"Reckless extrav
agance of his wife,
| And these vague fragments l heard;
and some onelsaid. Sand what is he going
to donow?"
| What can he do? Poor fellow! l am
sorry; but he should have calculated his
income and his expenses better"
''Or his wife should. Oh, these wo-
men they are at the bottom of all a
mans troubles I"
And they laughed. Oh, how could
they? had yet to learn how easy it is,
in this world, to bear other peoples
| troubles.
1 rose hurriedly up, with my heart
beating tumultuously beneath the pink
azaleas, and went back to the lighted
saloon, Mr.. Albany Moore was waiting
to claim my hand for the next dance.
"Are you ill, Mrs. Glenn? How pale
you look!r
IL am not very well. wish you
would have my carriage called Mr..
Moore"
For / felt now that home was the
proper place for me!
!. Hurried by some unaccountable i'm
pulse, | sprang out the moment the car
riage wheels struck the curbstone. and
rushed to my husbands room. The
door was locked: but could see light
shining family under the threshold. 7
knocked wildly and persistehtly:
Gerald, dear Gerald! for heavens
sake let me i'm ~
Something fell on the marble hearth
stone within. making metallic clink,
and my husband opened the door little
way. 1 had never seen him look so pale
before, or so rigid. yet so determined.
"Who are you ?" he demanded wildly.
"Why cannot you leave me i'm peace ?"
ut is 1, Gerald-your Madeline-your
own little WIFE,"
And l caught from his hand the pistol
he was striving to conceal i'm his breast
its mate lay on the marble hearth, under
the mantle-and flung it out of the win.
dow.
''Gerald would you have left mei''
II would have escaped ~ he cried, still
half delerious, to all appearances.
"Debt-disgrace-misery-her re-
proaches I should hate escaped them
laRr.