The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-05


So, five minutes later, she walks out behind the
shelter of Dicks broad shoulders, looking neither
to the right or left, and unconscious OF the in
qusitive glances of the Life Guardsmen and the
| lady in the harico robe.
| At the theatre she laughs and talks gaily,
though her mirth, it is true, is somewhat forced.
Dick does not second her very well, though his
manner is tender and respectful: but when man
feels thoroughly uncomfortable he is seldom art
full enough to conceal it. Poor Mrs. Boyne does
not even know what the play is about-divorces,
Judicial separations, are running riot IN her BRAIN
and mad longing for revenge. The play is not
over when she suggests to her companion that it
is time they were going. He jumps up at once.
She will not allow him to see her home, so he
puts her into hanson, shuts the doors, and,
with sympathetic pressure OF the hand, bids her
goodnight. He has not even the heart to ask
when he shall see her again.
When Mrs. BOyne arrives at her own door her
heart throbs painfully. Will her husband have
arrived before her? No; there is no sign of him.
and her fury redoubles. She controls herself
until her maid has left her, and then she bursts
into tornado of passion. If any one had told
her twelve hours ago that her husband was capa-
BILE of inspiring such feelings in her breast, she
would have laughed him to scorn. The night
she passes is indeed an agOnizing one. She sees
only one course open to her. When woman
has been publicly outraged her only remedy is in
a court of law. And yet none knows better than
herself the hateful position Of separated wife.
Before she is up next morning telegram is
brought to her She tears it open; it is from
Captain BOyne: "Have just arrived. Shall be
home almost as soon as you get this Her heart
almost stands still at the magnitude of his treach
cry and effrontery. She literally grinds her teeth.
Wait until she covers him with confusion! A
quarter of an hour later the monster marches
smiling into her room. She draws back from his
proffered salute with icy GOODNESS, but he does
not seem to notice the strangeness of her manner.
$50 you crossed over last night?" she asks,
looking fixedly at him.
Yes he replies briskly; ait was lovely
night. We had capital crossing.
At this Mrs. Boyne can no longer contain her
self
"O!" she cries, growing scarlet, ''you were not
dining at the-last night perhaps with
painted creature in an orange-colored gown"
What do you mean?" he says, looking her full
in the face perfectly unabashed.
Il mean what l say" cries Mrs Boyne with
flashing eyes; and she repeats her statement with
great emphasis.
Captain Boyne simply smiles.
Whoever saw me- or thought he saw me, made
mistake" he says, since at that moment was
in a railway carriage" ~-.-,
For instant Mrs Boyne feels like one pet
rified. Could her eyes have deceived her? She
had only cast one hurried glance at him. But
no, impossible; it was he! This is only the most
shameful effrontery ON his part
at is needless to tell any more lies" she saws
icily. Il saw you myself"
With this Captain BOyne's look and manner
change at once He frowns as his wife has very
seldom seen him frown before and looks posi-
lively awful.
90, very WE'LL he says. l thought perhaps
you might have the good sense to be discreet, and
say nothing, and ] was prepared to second you
But since you have not, You must take the con-
sequences. You pretend to me that you are
going on a visit in Wales | come home unex-
pectedly, and find you dining in public restau-
rant alone with man in the presence of two
other men who know you, and going off with him
in a hanson afterwards. I shall leave the house
in half an hour and 90 straight to my lawyer
You had better consult yours
This is turning the tables with a vengeance
Mrs BOyne is dreadfllly frightened and uncom-
Portable
Il wrote you to AK to tell you Mrs Blank had
scarlet fever" she cries. GAS for Dick BRYAN. T
met him by the merest chance in the park yes
terday; and as were both dull, he proposed
that we should dine and do play
"Of course" sneers Captain Boyne you can
tell your own story. But facts are stubborn
things, and the facts as | choose to interpret them
viii be quite enough for me-"
And what about your facts and youy compan-
ion?" cries poor Mrs Boyne, white to the lips.
Nothing could be simpler. The lady with
me was Mrs. Cyrus Y. Pepper, of New York;
whom Lady Dash asked me to see safely across
the channel. l believed you to be out of town.
the servants away, and the house upside down;
so l put up at the same hotel, and took her to
dine, and to play afterwards Now severely,
Il wish you goodbye. We shall only meet again
as strangers" And he turns to 90.
"Stay!" cries Mrs. BOyne, bursting into tears.
His hand is on the door. "Fred-Fred. STAY and
listen to met" cries his wife imploringly.
Captain Boyne turns. To her establishment he
is smiling.
Don't be a goose, Connie!" he SAYS. And
another time remember that little saving about
II. -