The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-12-14

in the evenings now-of course she pre-
ferrcd to have him out of the way, SC
she could have her own good time will
her -"friend," Harry said to himself
ironically, for in his very heart of hearts
he could not bring himself to say 'lov
er."
His faith in his wife was too strong tc
admit doubt of aught beyond indiscre
ton, and yet he was agonizingly jcal
Gus.
Then one evening the climax came
when Harry went home TO dinner hall
an hour earlier, and found Edith read
ing note, which she tore in fragments
the instant he crossed the door-siil-toro
and threw it into the fire with flushed
face and startled action.
"Mrs. Worthington wants me to 90
to her room TO night. l suppose you
will be going out, IIarryY
He knew she was telling what was
not so.
eyes, | am going out TO the club"
In his heart he hated himself for the
falschood he told, for he knew he had
made up his mind to watch his wife that
night and see if his jealousy were war
ranted or not.
Edith's cheeks glowcd and her eyes
sparkled, and she seemed in state OF
delicious excitement at dinner.
Then she dressed in becoming toilet
of black silk, with flmy laccs at wrists
and throat, and rich jcwelry-rathcr
elaborate for fefe-d-fete with Mrs.
Worthington, Harry thought, as he
smiled bitterly behind his newspaper.
lie purposcly prolonged his stay hall
| hnItr hpx-npI htc trct.nI f;,.,n al lao,
was vcxed that Edith should show no
signs of perturbation.
"She's already so verscd in deceit that
she can control her fear and impaticnce." )"
Finally he put on his overcoat, hat
and gloves, and went out to take up his
position on the opposite side of the
street, where he commanded the doors
and windows; and ten minutes after
wards Il tall, black-mustached gentle
man drove up and rang the bell, and in
II moment more his wife-his sweet, be-
loved Edith, whom he never loved so
well as in this moment of her falsity-
his wife came down, and the two were
driven away.
1t was the work of moment to hail
a passing cab, and the chase began, and
ended at the door of Exeter Hall, and
Harry bought his ticket and took his
seat as near as he could get to Edith and
hcr-hcr-'' ''friend."
1t was a pale, haggard face that watch
ed them all the evening, and pair of
eyes that were pitifully panied and in
dignant and passionful as he noted how
perfectly happy the two were-how
Edith, whose sweet reserve and shvness
had been one of her greatest charms to
him-how Edith was so free in her man.
ncr TO him, and how admirably the gen.
tleman returned her pretty little famil-
iaritics.
Ii was an hour of torture to him.
lie sat there remembering all the
times he had neglected Edith-how she
had so coaxingly asked him to "stay at
home," or "take her."
lie realized, as he had never done be-
fore, what a sudden and great change it
had been TO her TO leave her home where
she had such large family of brothers
and sisters. and consequently great
deal of young company.
lie began to appreciate how careless
he had been of the happiness intrusted
to his keeping.
Great God! What if that negligent
carelcssncss should result in
lie dared not think of it.
He sat there repentant, indignant.
jealous, remorseful, ready to fly at that
handsome, dashing fellow, who assumed
such an air of proprietorship over his
foolish, silly little wife-the lovely little
girl who, not having her husbands So
ciety, had sought companionship else
where.
lie never heard chord of the divine
melodies-he never needed the storms
of applause.
All he heard, all he saw was Edith's
occasional low laugh, her beautiful flush.
ed face as she turned her profile toward
him.
Then the performance was over.
lie followed them closely as he dared
until he saw them take the carriage, and
then the second chase began than ended
at the door of their house, and then
from inside his own cab he saw the
black mustache sweep across Edith's
mOuth-and he heard her low, sweet
goodnight.
"And, Phil, don't forget TO drive to
row."
"Phil! Phil"
1t had come to the permitted familiar
ity of names, had it.?
And Harry thought as he dismissed
his cab and ran up stairs, two steps at I
time, that if ever man had Just cause
to shoot another he had.
Edith stood before her dressing-casc
slowly drawing off her gloves, when ht
dashed in, pale and wrathful.
"What does this mean? Where have
You been?"
If he thought to confront her in ,
falsehood he was mistaken.
She flushed crimson, but answered
promptly:
81 have been to Exeter Hall. IIay,
l committed an objectionable SIM"
"Iou have done the next thing to it
Who is that-that man with whom vol
dared to go? Do you know that vol
have run the risk of losing your charac
ter-you, married woman, going to
place of public entertainment with
man who is almost a stranger to YOU
Edith, have You any idea what you hay,
dOne?"
She turned her face, pale enough now
to him.
"Harry, have you any idea what yol
iitNc uolics NlSHl ultcr nlPll nHN'
stayed here by myself until wonder
did not run away and go home. | beg
ged you to stay, or let me go, sometime
not always-and you laughed at me
And when found some one who pal,
me the attention you should have done
you talk to me this way! | will tel
You honestly, the gentleman who tool
me is very, very dear to me. low
himl There? And if you won't b
. good to me, he will"
Forrest stood dumbfounded.
'Great God! Edith, do you know
what you say? Oh, Edith, wife, ar
YOU mad that Won dare sneak snch nuu