The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-10-08
DIR. ANSLEIGH'S PERIL.

II was q lovers quarrel, no doubt
nbout that. Sky threatening-a regular
storm brewing--one could see at q
glance.
She stood, all flushed and excited, IN
the curtained bay-window, her fair face
clouded, her blue eyes flashing, her
breath coming quick and fast.
He stood at her side, stern and pale,
his hands clenched excitedly, bis dark
eyes full of mingled sorrow and pas
,ion.
allie ~
John Ansleigh's voice was low and
intense with feeling.
"It is all your fault, remember" he
went on with an effort at calmness. 81
have only requested you, kindly and
gently--and as your betrothed husband,
/ surely have some right-to desist
from these foolish firtations. Why,
Allie, you were flirting last night with
that Mr.. Mayne, whom public opinion
pronounces a--a-I can't tell you only
that he is not proper company for you,
my darling" Johns voice lost its angry
tone, and grew very gentle and tender.
"You know th at this would not trouble
me so if you were not dearer to me
than my own life. Say you are not
angry with me, sweetheart ?"
DR.. John Ansleigh bent his handsome
head, and his dark eyes gazed into
Allies blue ones.
But the little lady was in a contrary
mood. that morning. She felt like any
thing but meek submission to the will
of her lover, even though she knew
that all that he had said was true, and
prompted by his love and care for her
Allie Ray was nm orphan, an heiress
too, Just released from the restrictions
of boarding-schoo life. She had lost
both her parents in her infancy,an had
passed the eighteen years of her life
under the care of hirelings, and later, at
a fashionable school. And, pure as a
flower, she had grown up amidst weeds.
She had been betrothed 10 DR.. Ans
leigh for nearly year, and was now
under his mothers care, passing a few
weeks at a watering-place.
Society pronounced Allie heartless
flirt; but she was merely thoughtless,
careless girl, plunging headlong into the
unaccustomed gaieties about her with
all her heart. Surrounded by scores of
admirers, no wonder her head was
nearly turned with adulation and fiat
terry.
John Ansleigh's words had touched
her pride. Did he then imagine that,
because she was careless and happy,
that she was shallow and silly, and
needed a guiding handP
She mentally resolved to cut Mr..
Mayne's acquaintance that very day;
but then John should not have the sat
faction of thinking that his words had
instigated the step. John had no cont-
dence in her love, she told herself. Well,
let him think as he pleased.
All the girls defiant spirit was in
arms, and when John, ut last, fearing
that he had wounded her sensitive ma
ture, attempted to set matters right be-
tween them, he was stricken dumb with
amazement as she turned upon him a
face that was white and angry, her blue
eyes fairly scintillating.
"You've said enough, John Ansleigh|
she cried, passionately. lean see now
the--the mistake | have made. We
were never intended for each other; we
are not suited. You want a wife that
will obey you like puppet-a woman
with no will or mind OF her own-a per-
feet Griselda. And can never submit
to tyranny in any form. The man |
love must trust me; and since you have
ceased to do that, we arc best apart. |
r;yo YOU back your freedom"
"Allie, stopl
DIR. Anslegh was white rs statue.
"Do you mean what you sayP You
do not love me, then, Allie"
The girl was thoroughly aroused now,
and regardless Of consequences,
"Nor' she cried, madly, Il do not
love you any moro'
She dashed aside the heavy curtains
that draped the bay-window. and was
cone. And just then n man arose from
,ho lounQing chair beside the window
where he had been ostensibly reading,
and sauntered slowly away