Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-24

elusive property.
Eddie was wrotchcd. Those women
are perhaps to be envied who, in similar
situations, cultivate gayety which, If
forced. ut least serves as nm esCape-v valve.
Eddie not only was wretched but looked
so. And George became irritated lie
actually was Mt last in the condition of
believing himself to be the aggricycd
party.
One evening, when Eddie hung over
the children until they were asleep,
grooming soft airs to them which always
lulled them to rest soonest, she wandered
down stairs with the vague intention of
finding George and trying to dispel the
miserable cloud which had hung between
them now for SO long. a wish to do so
had come into her heart ms she kissed her
babies goodnight. She drifted. down
the great sounding stairway, looking like
pale ghost with her sad eyes and her
flowing white dress. She glanced out
on the different piazzas on her way; the
boarders were apt to walk and sit about
on these during the long evenings. But
! she did not see her husband. She drifted
through the parlors, where there were
ard-playing, dancing, music.
Look mt Mrs. IL Roy. How bcauti-
| ftii she isl" one person remarked.
And how intensely unhappy! Poor
thing! What n pity that any one with II
heart should have married George Le
Roy!'
/ She stood in the open doorway and
I looked up and down the piazza on which
opened the parlors. All. at last George
| was seated with his back toward her, In
lounging, negligent attitude. Facing
| him. in an attitude equally negligent.
| was Minna Storey, her dimplcd Bac-
| chante face upturncd to his; her white
arms cleaning out of the falling rose
| colorcd sleeves Other dress, and wrcathed
with Roman pearls. Perhaps she was
| posing for Lalla Rookh or some other
| Oriental character. To whom strands of
| pearls are appropriated in 1blsduz
/ rlrdistS; nj all events ther graceful head
/ WAS adorned to correspond with her
arms. She made n slight movement at
| the moment that Eddie appeared in the
| doorway, with which her little whitehand
| fell against Dr. le Roy's knee. and lay
there carelessly. Eddie's face contracted
as in pain. She came forward. Minna
| slightly changed her attitude. but with
no visible show Of embarrassment.
George glanced up. "Will you join us2'
he asked. in an unsympathctic. super
| fetal tone.
Eddie paused moment. looking down
| upon Minna. Then she said. icily, " No.
| thank you, and moved away.
She was combing at the long hair
| presently. when George knocked nj the
/ door. Still that rigid look on her face.
| that hurt look in her cycs. lie closed
;he door. and stood leaning with his
/ back against it. Il wish, Edna" he
| began, directly, that you would be n
| little more like other people. II j. con-
/ foundc6iy unpleasant to have YOU going
/ about looking like mute at a funeral. :"
! cannot look moro unhappy than
| feel. she burst out. with gathering sobs.
Why did | ever marry you2 | wish
| had died instead. Why did SOU not
/ marry this Storey girl. whom you make
| love 10 now before my facc2 If sou have
no feeling for me n n woman. should
| think you might show nj least common
respect for me ~ your wife
Her tone. her words. stung George H.
Roy To the point Of fury. "My WIFI"
he said. Heavens! | wish you had not
that claim upon my tolerance i man
reaps q fearful harvest from n youthful
mistake" Then he turned ON hi. heel
and closed tho door sharply behind him
Eddie was only a triie more miserable
than she had been before
The next day was SUNDAY. Parties
for church were made up. Eddie found
/ herself liStlcssiy included In ono. II
might at least be more tolerab.c than
wandering aimiessly about tho hotel
As she was handed into tho stage She
noticed her husband gathering in
Miuna Siorcy's draperies within tho
compass Of q light wagon, in which he
was going to drive her. She was talking
and laughing Is usual. There Wa not a
cloud on Georges face. The sight cut
Eddie 10 the heart. She avcrtcd her face
hastily. Her fellow passengers saw
what she saw they pitied her. II i
hard 10 young proud nature to be
piticd.
Tho stage clatlercd of amid gay
Babel of voices. 4 mile down the road
there was hill. At the top Of this hin
the horses took fright. ono becoming
perfectly unControllable. Plunging and
rearing, they dragged tl" stage 10 the
edge of the mountain fhc utxt mo-
ment the great numbering vehicle was
overturned and pitched down the noun
tain side Then the horses. having done
their worst. stood still The driver
picked himself up and surveyed tho
scene of the disaster The first object
that met his eyes was Mrs Il Roy. who
had been thrown against a heap Of
stones. 4 messenger was dispatched tn
the hotel. who met Dr. IL Roy first Of
all In his no-top wagon
Hurry! hurryt" he cried "The
stage has gone over the side of the noun
tain. Mrs. IL Roy is dead"
George was off like the wind: but not
before Miss Storey had cntreatcd. With
white lips. to be let out He was alone
when he was confronted by Eddic's pitt
ful pale face.
They gathered her up and carried her
10 the hotel for dead. The rest Of the
party escaped unhurt. except for trifing
cuts and bruises; but when they laid
her ON her bed they thought that life
was extinct.
| might quote pages in support Of the
assertion that the worth Of n treasure Is
emphasized by the dread Of losing 1t.
Harshness, Indifference, neglect. doggcd
George II Roy's steps like stern accuscrs.
now that Eddie lay speeehless, uncon-
scious, for hopeless hours. II seemed 10
him that ho had LiijnJ hav Tfho had