The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-09-24
MI SCELLANY.
My Husbands Second Wife.

My husband came tenderly to my
side.
"Are you going out this evening
love?"
l looked down complacently at my
dress OF pink Grape, dew dropped ovel
with crystal, and the trails of pink aza
leas that caught up its folds here ant
there. A diamond bracelet encircled one
round, white arm, and little cross blaz
ed fitfully at my throat, had never look
ed better, and felt a sort of girlisl
pride as my eye met the fair reflection il
my polished mirrow.
"Come, Gerald, make haste! why, YOU
haven't begnn to dress yeti
Where were my wifely instincts
that did not see the haggard look OF
his features---the fevered light in his
eyes?
81 cannot go tonight Madeline; an
not well enough"
"You are never well enough to oblig'
me, Gerald. am tired Of being put OF
with excuses
He made no answer, but dropped biz
b head 2, in his hands upon the table befor'
"Oh, come, Gerald" urged petulant
w, at is SO awkward for me to 90 alone
always"
He shook his head listlessly.
81 thought perhaps that you would be
willing to remain at home an hour will
me. Madeline -
"Men are so selfish ?" said plaintive
ly "and am well dressed, Claudia tool
half an hour for my hair. l dare say
you'll be a great deal quieter here with
out me-that is, if you are determined
not to 60
No answer again.
swell, if you choose to be be sullen
l can't help it, said lightly, as l turn
ed and went out Of the room, adjusting
my boquet holder, the tube roses ant
heliotroupes seeming to distil incense q
every motion.
Was / heartless and cruel Had ceas
ed to love my husband? From the bot
tom of my heart believed that | lovet
him as truly and tenderly as ever wifi
did but ! had been spoiled and petite
all my life, that the better instincts were
so to speak, entombed alive.
went to the party and had my fiji
of adulation and homage, as usual. Th'
hours seemed to glide away, shod witt
roses and winged with music and per
fume; and it was not until, wearied will
dancing, / sought momentary refug'
in the half lighted tearoom, that hear(
words to awakening me, as it were, from
dream.
"Gerald Glen!"
could not be we'll mistaken in the
name-it was scarcely common plac,
enough for that They were talking
two or three business like looking gentle
men-in the hall without and l coulC
catch, now and then, fugitive word O.
phraee.
Fine, enterprising, young fellow y
sGreat pity v'--"Totally ruined, SO Bee
q McMorken say v--Reckless extrava
gance or the wire.
All these vague fragments I heard
and some one said, And what is he 60
ing to do now2'
"What can he do? Poor fellow
am truly sorry; but he should have
calculated his income and his expense:
more accurately"
"Or his wife should. Oh, these wo.
men! They are at the bottom Of all mans
troubles"
And they laughed. Oh, how could
they l had yet to learn how easy ii
is, in this world, to bear other people
troubles.
rose hurridly up, with my hear
beating tumultuosly beneath my pinl
azaleas and went back to the lighted sa
loon. Albany Moore was waiting
to claim my hand for the next dance.
"Are yon ill, Mrs. Glen? How pale
you look"
al am not very well. | wish yor
would have my carriage called for me
Mr. Moore
For now felt that home was the prop
er place for me p
Hurried by the unaccountabe impulse
| sprang out the moment the carrlag'
wheel touched the curbstone, and rush
ed up to my husbands room. The doc
was locked; but | could see light shin
inc family under the threshold. l knock
ed wildly and persistently.
"Gerald! dear Gerald for heaven
sake, let me in J"
Something fell on the .narble hearth
stone within, making metallic click an
NV husband opened the door a littl
nc