Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-02

applied himself to having good time, II
was with the same zeal which he had
brought to bear upon the study of his
profession.
The Storey girls were his warmest ad-
mirers. Minna Storey was as bewitch-
ingly beautiful as the typical eastern
houri-all rounded curves and dimples,
soft, tendrilly brown hair, and laughing,
mischievous hazel eyes She was girl
who never hesitated to follow the bent of
her pleasures, although these at times led
her into some devious ways. She gener-
ally had love affair on hand, although
this was apt to be not so much Irritation
as a romp. At least this was the dis
tinguishing characteristic of her present
encounter with DR.. lie Roy. 1t was
great fun, no doubt, but it could hardly
be said to be dignifed. As the week
slipped by the fact grew to be an estab-
lished one among the other girls that DR..
lie Roy was Minna Storey's exclusive
property.
Eddie was wretched. Those women
are perhaps to be envied who in similar
situations cultivate a gayety which, if
forced, at least serves as an eScape-valve.
Eddie not only was wretched, but looked
so. And George became irritated. He
actually was at last in the condition of
believing himself the aggrieved party.
One evening when Eddie had hung
over the children until they were asleep,
grooming soft airs to them which always
lullcd them 10 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. She driftcd
down the great sounding stairway, look
ing like pale ghost with her sad eyes
and her flowing white dress. She glanced
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
card playing, dancing, and music.
Look at Mrs. lie Roy. How beau
tiful she is!' one person remarked.
And how intensely unhappy. Poor
thing! What a pity that any one with
heart should have married George lie
Roy
She stood in an open door way, and
looked up and down the piazza on which
opened the parlors. All, at last! George
was seated with his back to her, in a
lounging, negligent attitude. Facing
him, in attitude equally negligent, was
Minna Storey her dimplcd Bacchante face
upturncd to his; her white arms glcam-
ing out of the falling rose-colorcd sleeves
Of her dress, and wreathcd with Roman
pearls. Perhaps she was posing for
Lalla Rookh or some other oriental char |
actcr, to whom strands of pearls are APP
propriated in tablcauX vivantS; at all
events, her graceful head was adorned
to correspond with her arms She made !
a slight movement at the moment that
Eddie appeared in the doorway, with
which her little white hand fell against
DR.. lie Roy's knee, and lay there care
lessy. Eddic'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 u.s." he asked, in
an unsympathetic, superficial tone.
Eddie paused moment, looking down
upon Minna. Then she said icily, "No,
thank you, and moved away.
She was combing out her long hair
presently, when George knocked at the
door.
Still that rigid look on her face, that
hurt look in her ewes. He closed the
door and stood leaning with his back
against it. Il wish, Edna, he began
directly, that you would be little like
other people. 1t is confoundedly un-
pleasant to have you going about looking
like a mute at funeral"
II cannot look more unhappy than l
feel" she burst out, with gathering sobs.
"Why did | ever marry you! wish |
had died instead. Why did you not
marry this Storey girl, whom you make
love to now before my face: If you have
no feeling for me as woman, should
think YOU might show at least common
respect for me as your wife"
Her tone, her words stung George Le-
Roy to the point of fury:
MY Wife" said he. Heavens l
wish you had not that claim upon my
tolerance. A man reaps a fearful harvest
from youthful mistake" Then he
turned on his heel, and closed the door
sharply behind him. Eddie was only
trifie more miserable than she had been
before
The next day was Sunday. Parties
for church were made up. Eddie found
herself listlessly included in one. 1t
might at least be more tolerable than
wandering aimlesSly about the hotel.
AS she was handed into the stage she
noticed her husband gathering in Minna
Storey's draPeries within the compass of
light wagon, in which he was going to
drive her. She was talking and laughing
as usual. There was not cloud on
Georges face. The sight cut Eddie to
the heart. She averted her face hastily.
Her fellow-passengers saw what she saw;
they pitied her. 1t is hard to a young,
proud nature to be pitied.
The stage clattered off amid a gay ba-
bel OF voices. A mile down the road