The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-12

'Wnat-HMo Raymond am sorry
was not at home; not that I missed any,
thing, but because he is not the sort of man
care particularly to have my wife receive
alone."
"Ipdeed 2 I thought him charming !"
throwing an unusual emphasis into the
words, as she noted the flush she supposed
jealousy originated dye Will Chesterfeld's
face
An answer was upon his lips, but he
checked it, as unworthy of him; and re-
counting the evenings sayings and doings
to the little wife he SO fondly loved, and of
whose displeasure he little deemed himself
the subject, he soon forgot the irritation of
the moment
Two months glided by, and scarcely was
Mrs Chesterfield alone ere she was joined
by Hale Raymond. Did she walk, he
seemed to spring from the ground; did
she drive, his horse would come careering
beside her carriage, and he would find time
and opportunity to have with her few mo-
ments' quiet converse. Ever approaching
forbidden. themes, he never transgressed
openly, but slowly, surely fought his way,
as he hoped, into the heart of the citadel.
"Will," said Mrs. Chesterfield, one day,
to her husband, "there is to be a masked
ball at the Academy, next week; Will you.
take me ?"
IT am sorry, my darling, but I shall be
out of town on that night; and, even were
I here, it is not the place where I would
care to see you"
With pout the young wife turned away,
and the subject dropped:
"It is nothing to him now to refuse, my
wishes" she thought. "Once he would
have postponed any engagement to crafty
me-"
The day of the ball came. With low
ing kiss in the early morning. Will Chester
field bade his wife good-by.
Scarcely had the door closed upon him,
than. Mr.. Raymond was announced.
''I have come to ask you and Mr.. Ches-
terfeld to join our party for the masquerade
tonight. Of course, he will consent if you
butAsk him." a
"Mr Chesterfield is unfortunately absent,
so that must decline"
Indeed" - feigning the utmost sur
prise. "But surely you will not spend the
evening alone? Mrs. Irving is going to
c1saperone the party. We shall have box,
and be perfectly to ourselves. No one will
recognize you. Do say you will come"
And so he pleaded, until, remembering
her husband had not absolutely forbidden
her going, and knowing she could readily
assuage his displeasure, she gave some
what reluctant consent, and with his heart
beating high with hopes of what she little
dreamed, Hale Raymond lefther.
But all that evening, surrounded by
mirth and fun, music and lights, uproa,
and dancing, she wished herself q Thousand
, times back TO her own quiet home. Be
tween her and the jewellers came the visio,
of her, husbands handsome face. Wha
, would he sayf Yet could he blame her
Had he not left her alone?
At last she could bear it. no longer, ant
whispering few words to her escort, h
: arose, assisted her in her hasty adieux, an
, went with her forth from the din AM
glare, into the calm, peaceful moonli
night.
"Will you walk Or driver ?"
r ooh, let us walk" she answered. an
Q gathering up her rich nall-dress, and sll
ping of her mask, she drank in, with
:. sense of inexpressible relief, heavens pur
h air.
h At last her home was reached. Turning
h as the servant opened the door, to say goot
10 by to her, companion, she was startled b
the request:
= 'It is early yet. May not come in?
O have something want particularly to sa
s to you."
d She could scarcely refuse SO trifing
request, SO preceded him into the drawing
:. room.
it The room was in shadow, but as sh
h turned to ask his meaning, she started a
1t the unusual pallor of his face.
I "Are you ill ?" she questioned
j. 'nl? Would to God I We're! Woul
II, that torture of the body might teach fol
getfulness of the minds anguish! HaV
q you not seen, all these weeks, how hav
loved you-how would dare all things fc
re some response? You must have known
st all-why, then, do you give me that whit
>, face of untold horror p
s. ''Hush-no more! Yet I deserve it al
,e You came to me with your fiattery at
IS time when thought my husband wayerin
"a in his devotion-when I felt foolishl
is grieved and injured, and meant thus
70 show him an Indifference equal to his owl
70 though never for one moment did feel
is The glittering colors Of the snake fascinate
lg me, and was all ignorant of the dead
"a ,4;,o, tbox, ooDoaoIad Teaye ma cir. ar