The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-07-31
MY HUSBANDS SECOND WIFE.
BY MRS. ANNA MARSHALL GLENN.

NV husband came tenderly to my side.
"Are you going out this evening, lover
"Of course L ami"
looked down complacently at my dress
Vt pink crepe. dew -dropped over with crys-
tai. and the trails of pink azaleas that caught
nm its folds here and there. A diamond brace
let encircled around one white arm, and little
cross blazed fitfully ut my throat. had never
looked better, and l felt sort of girlish
pride as my eye met the fairy reflection in
the mirror.
"Come. Gerald, make hastel Why you
haven't begun to dress YETI
Where were my wifely instincts, that l
did not see the haggard, drawn look in his
features-the fevered light in his eyes?
81 can't go to night, Madeline am Lot
well enough"
s.You are never well enough to oblige
me, Gerald. l am tired of being put OF
with such excuses"
He made no answer, but dropped his head
in his hands, on the table before him.
"Oh. come Gerald" l urged, petulantly;
lit is so awkward to go alone alwaysp
He shook his head listlessly.
Il thought, perhaps, you would be willing
to remain at home with me, Madeline"
"Men are so selfshl' l said, plaintively;
hour for my hair / dare say you will be
quieter without me-that is if you are de-
termined not to 60"
No answer again.
"Well. if YOU choose to be sullen 1 can't
help it," said, lightly, as turned and went
on. the room.
Was I heartless and cruel2 Had l ceased
to love my husband2 From the bottom OF
nv heart believed that l had loved him as
truly and as tenderly as ever wife did; but
had been spoiled and petted all my brief life,
40 that the better instincts we're, so to speak,
entombed alive.
went to the party and had my fill OF
adulation and homage as usual. The hours
seemed to glide away, shod with roses, and
winged with music and perfume; and it was
not until, weared with dancing, / sought a
momentary refuge in the half-lighted tea
room, that heard Weakening me, as it were,
from dream.
Gerald Glenn
I could not we'll be mistaken in the name
it was scarcely common place enough Tor
that. They were talking-two or three bus
iness-like looking gentlemen-in the hall
without and could catch now and then a
fugitive word or phrase.
"Fine enterprising young fellowi" "Great
pityl" Totally ruined; so Bees and Nc
Morken saw" Reckless extravaganza Of his
wife2"
All these fragments 1 heard, and then
some one said:
"And what is he going to do now?"
"What' can he do2 Poor fellow! am sor.
~; but he should have calculated his income
and his expenses better
.Or his wife should. Oh, these women
thew are at the bottom of all mans troubles
And they laughed. Oh, how could they
I had vet to learr how easy it is, in thi
world. to bear other peoples troubles. l ros'
hurriedly up, with my heart beating tumul
tuously beneath the pink azaleas, and wen
back to the lighted saloon. Mr.. Alban.
Moore was waiting to claim my hand for tn
next dance.
Are you i'll, Mrs. Glen' How pale yo'
lookI'
al am not very well. 1 wish yo
would have my carriage called, Mr.. Moore.
For now l felt that home was the prope
place for mel
Hurried by some unaccountable impulse
/ sprang out the moment the carriage whee
touched the curbstone, and rushed to m
husbands room. The door was locked, bU
/ could see a light shining family unde
the threshold. / knocked wildly and pei
sistently.
"Gerald, dear Gerald for Heavens SAX
let me in"
Something fell on the marble hearthston
within, making a metallic clink, and m
husband open the door a little way. l nev'
seen him look 50 pale before, or so rigid y
so determined.
"Who are your" he demanded, Wild
"Why can not you leave me in peace?'
ats l, Gerald-your Madeline-your ov
little wife,"
And L caught from his hand the pistol
was striving to conceal in his breast
mate lay on the marble hearth under 4
mantle-and flung it out of the window.
"Gersldl would you have lett mel"
sI would have escaped" he cried, sti
- half delirious, to all appearances. "Debt
disgrace-misery-he reproachesl l wou
have escaped them all!'
His head fell, like that Of a weary chi
on nv shoulder. 1 drew him gently to {
sofa, and soothed him with
thousand murmured words-a the
sand mute caressesl For, had 1t I
/. been nv fault2 And through all
long week of fear that followed, nursed h
with unwavering care and devotion. L b
but one thought, one desire-to redeem n
\ self in his estimation; to prove to him
L something more aud higher than the m