St. Landry democrat., 1878-02-16

" Mr.. Watson. I met him in the forest
and he asked permission to escort me
home"
A frewn came over the serene counte-
nance of Aunt Mary as she hurriedly
said, "Marian do not trust that man !!
He is too worldly. No one around here
knows anything about him who he is,
or whence he came"
But here she was interrupted by loud
knock at the door," Marian rose to an
swer it.
It is needless to say it was Ed. coming
to make peace, which was soon declared,
as arm in arm they walked up and down
between the sweet briar hedges and
talked of that inexhaustible subject, the
future.
Let us pass over two months, during
which time Marian became bride.
The leaves, scarlet and gold, are drop
ping now, and the wind is chilly as it
sweeps through the forrest, over the
tarnished brakes. Marian has returned
from her bridal journey, little less
happy than when she left. Her husband,
fondly jealous ere they were married, is
madly jealous now. He does not like
the looks of admiration cast upon his
wife by the male sex. He tells her she
encourages them; and, being high tenn
pered, she does not take it WELL So the
quarrels are bitter and frequent.
AS fate would have it, when they
reached home, one Of the first to pay
homage to the young bride was Harold
Watson, He was very tender with her; :;
told her she was not looking we'll. And
Marian, having just had another scene
with her husband was very excited, and
burst into tears. Oh, silly Marian! Ere
she knew it she was repeating to that
worldly man her domestic troubles, And
he, sitting beside her, with his arm on
the back of her chair, her hand in his
How we'll he played the comtorter He
praised her husband, found ready ex-
cuses for him, and ingratiated himself
into the young brides favor, and when at
last he tore himself away, she had told
him to come often. Her husband COM
ing up the path had heard her, and his
blood boiled with jealousy as ne saw the
bright smiling faces of the twain.
All, it is often true, a little spark
kindleth a great fire." No sooner had
the maid withdrawn from the room at
dinner then he commenced: Madame,
| wish you TO understand that l forbid
you to receive. Harold Watson in my
house. He is scoundrel, and if ever
meet him here again you will regret it,"
"How dare you insult me by threats;
I shall receive whom please if I can
not, shall 60 back to Aunt Mary's."
Ed. knew he had said too much but
not wishing to oretract, he added, II wish
to heaven you had never left Aunt
Mary's"
Marian rose, livid with anger, and re.
torted: You will never have to wish it
twice" She then left the room, and taking
a small shawl from the rack run hur-
riedly across the garden towards Aunt
Mary's.
Ed. saw her from the window, and
his heart sank little; but he thought
to himself that she would be back before
supper. But when supper time came,
the maid said her mistress had not yet
returned, and he was obliged to sit down
to lonely meal. Before he had finished
a servant brought note, which he
hurriedly tore open ; it was from Aunt
Mary, who stated that, as Marian could
not live in peace with him, she thought
it would be best to separate. That was
all but long, long into the night Ed.
sat there in the same position, like one
crushed. "She loved him." he said bit
terly. IF ever I meet him will kill
him He shall yet pay for this!"
Early the next morning, valise in
hand, Ed. took his way down through
the village to the station. He was
obliged to pass by the house of the
elderly Miss Grey, and as he neared it he
saw with beating heart his wife pick
ing flowers inthe little garden. ..
" Marian," he cried, loudly; "my
wife! come to me-" She turned sud-
denly without looking toward him and
ran into the house, dropping her flowers
as she went. 20 heaven forgive me-" he
said in tone of anguish, leaped the wall
and picked up one of the roses she had
let fall, then started On his way. The
train soon bore him far away from the
little village towards the great city of
New York.
Three years came and went; the cres-
cent moon rose pure and pale over the
hot city of New York; the crowd of |
people went by in 8 continuous train.
Hardly breath of air stirred. Away
down in one of those horrible gambling
dens: elegantly fitted up, there entered,
on this particular August night, man
upon whom all the loungers turned to
look, SO handsome was his appearance,
and so carelessIy he came sauntering in,