Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-06-08

MY HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE.

care you going out this evening,
love ?"
l looked down complacently at my
dress of pink Grape, dcw-dropped over
with chrystal, and the trails of pink
azaleas that caught up its folds here and
there. A diamond bracelet encirclcd one
round white arm, and a little cross blazed
fitfully at my throat. / had never looked
better and felt sort of girlish p.ide
as my eye met the fair reflection in my
polished mirror.
Come, Gerald, make haste Why,
you haven't begun to dress yet 2"
Where were my wifely instincts, that
did not see the haggard look on his
features fevcred light in bis eyes ?
II cannot go tonight, Madeline; |
am not well enough"
"You are never well enough to oblige
me, Gerald. am tired of being put off
with excuses"
He made no answer but dropped his
head in his hands upon the table before
him.
"Oh, come, Gerald" l urged potu-
lantly, lit is so awkward for me to go
alone always"
He shook his head listlessly.
81 thought perhaps that you would be
willing to remain at home with me,
Madeline"
"blen are 80 se6shl" l said plain
lively; "and | am well dressed. Claudia
took half an hour for my hair. / dare
say you'll be great deal quieter here
without me-that is if you are deter
mined not to 60"
No answer again.
"Well, if you choose to be sullen, l
can't help it," said lightly, as | turned
and went out of the room, adjusting my
bouquet holder, the tube rose aud hello
tropes seeming to distill incense at every
motion.
went to the party and had my fill Of
adulation and homage, as usual. The
hours seemed to glide away, shod with
roses and winged with music and per-
fume and it was not until wearied with
dancing, sought momentary refuge
in the half-lighted tea-room. that | heard
words Weakening me, as it were, from a
dream.
Gerald Glenn
could not be well mistaken in the
name-it was scarcely commonplace
enough for that. They are talking
two or three business-like looking gentle
mon-in the hall without, and j could
catch now and then fugitive word or
phrase.
"Fiue, enterprising young fellow p
"Great pity Totally ruined 80 Bees
& McMorken say p" Reckless extrava-
gance of his wife"
rose hurriedly up, with my heart
beating tumultuously beneath my pink
azaleas, aud went back TO the lighted
saloon. Albany More was waiting to
1 claim my hand for the next dance.
care you i'll, Mrs. Glen? How pale
you look"
al am not very we'll. ! wish you
would have my carriage called for me,
Mr. Moore"
Hurried by some unaccountablo i'm
pulse, spranB CUT tDe moment the car
riage wheel touched the curbstone, and
rushed up to my husbands room. The
door was locked but could see light
shining family under the threshold. /
knocked wildly and persistently.
"Gerald dear Gerald for heavens
sake open the door,"
Something fell on the marble hearth
stone within, making metallic click and
my husband opened the door little way.
| had never seen him look so pale before,
or so rigid, yet so determined
"Who are your he demanded wildly.
"Why can not you leave me alone in
peaceT
1T is I, Gerald--your Madeline
youpown little wife"
And caught from his hand the pistol
he was striving to conceal in his breast
its mate lay on the marble hearth, under
the mantle--and flung it out Of tho
window.
/ Gerald, would you have left me p
II would have escaped !" be cried,
still half dolirious TO oil appearances r.