Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-10-08

himself, he had perceived q gentle
man, escorting lady thickly yelled
aud clOaked, come through the
break in the hedge, hurriedly cross
the intervening field, enter the cab,
and drive of, after giving the di,
Tcction.
Had he put his hand out, he could
have stayed them. But that was
not his plan. Let us 60 beyond re-
call and forgiveness, that was what
he thought.
Hurrying straight to his dressing.
room, the Colonel secured his pis.
tolls.
81 have never used them against
fellow being before" he exclaimed,
very stern and determined, shut q
bullet shall reach his heart or mine.
One shall not leave the field"
"Why, goodness gracious, my
love, how early you are back! l
hope nothing is wrong.n exclaimed
II pleasant voice.
Both gentlemen swung round on
their heels, with an ejaculation of
surprise, tor there in the doorway,
looking charming in her evening
dress, was standing Mrs. Harding.
"You here, Constance!'
"Heie! Why, where should be
my deari"
The Colonel looked at the Cap.
tain, and rice rersa.
"Whatever il the matteIw asked
the lady; "and-gracious, Edmund,
love!-what are you going to do
with those pistOlsy"
W-I was gong blurted out the
Colonel. half angrily, "to take with
them the life of your lover, Con.
stance!"
my lover! Surely. darling, you
never contemplated suicidef"
suicide! Constance, can you
look me in the face and say you
have no other one than IT
"Yes-there, sir! But can you
look in mine, and say you ever were
cruel enough to suspect me Of such
a siniT
The Coloners dropped instantly.
you have" she went on. "Pray,
on what groundsr
"That of man having been seen
to enter your room, admitted by
YOU, and-in-in-yOur supposed
flight this night in fly with him.
Mrs. Harding burst into peal of
laughter.
"Why, Edmund, that was Hates
lover!- she cried.
"Katc's!7 both gentlemen repeat.
ed.
mo less. Do not blame the poor
girl, for you yourself have driven
her to this step,-asking Captain
Heweit's pardon for speaking out"
said the lady with malicious
twinkle. because you loved bis
father, YOU ordered your daughter
to accept the Generals son. She
her heart secretly bestowed
else where-said 'Nay;' you said
AYE When became your wife
Kate made me her contidante.
planned-yes, it was Wicked
planned her rlopement with Robert
Krnway, the man she loves. | see
how all this has happened; this gen
tlrman watched here while you
went to dine. Charming! He wait
ed and spird to see his own proper.
" stolen! Captain Hewett, CON.
pliment you! Now, gentlemen, l
will leave You to yourselves"
Clo x,;ttnl tha r~D,,, . che mol
very haughtily, and retired to her
own apparently the most injured
party.
A brief space after, the Colonel
came in.
"Constance," said he, 'you have
done very wrong"
"Slr, how have you acted, in sus
pcctine "a wife who was foolish
enough to love youi" she answered
proudly.
, "Do YOU love me, Constancer
"Brtter than-than --all-the-
w0rld!- was the answer, given be
, tween a sudden burst of sobs.
A wOman's tears were the only
enemies which had ever beaten the
Colonel. He caught his pretty wife
in his arms. and cried, "COnstance
forgive me, and let us say no more
about it,
"Aud KateSr she sobbed.
= an pardon her, for your sake"
You dear, dear. Edmund! There
That kiss is for a reward!n
And that is how Captain Hewet'
was checkmated by Colonel Hard
in's SECOND wife.