The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-07


had not noticed the approach Of maid who
handed her letter. A vague presentinlent
of evil came over her as ahe opened 1t. 1t
was from Eliza. and ran as follows:
'My Dear Niece regret exceedingly tho
positi, H. am placed in. but feol bound, undor
tho circumstances, to expose your husbands
dupclty. SAN him unobsei ven, this forenoon
conversing in tho lobby OF the Varieties with
NJ To-. l overheard enough to convince
mo that ho il gong to attend tho performance
tonight. lie is cruolly decoiving you, and
| strongly advise you to unmask his villainy
and separate from him. Atfoctlonatoly yours,
AUNT LIzA.'
Clara crushed the letter in her hands, and
sat there looking Ut the fast falling snow.
1t was growing darker and he would soon
bc here And tken2 Would she show HIM
the letter and demand an eXplanation2
No. 1t would be met by cquivocal replies.
lie was a master in the art Of deception,
but that night would end it forever.
As she thought this she felt dull pain
at her hcart-and the evening grew deeper.
"Why, little wife, are you sitting alone
1t was Herbert's chccry; voice he had cn-
tered unperceivcd.
sHHcrbert, ,"-the tone was forced and
hollow-"are you going out TO night?"
"Why, yes, my dear, might have told
you this morning. | have an important
engagement. 1t will not be long now, pet
! wife" i
What did lie mean7 lie could not =
the weird beauty Of that pale face as
bade HIM farewell.
1t was gala night ut the varletY he
benefit Of Mlle.--, the famea lose
beauty and talent it was whiS't E, had
drawn crowded audience: lep boxes,
osinesrs t"S scsns and gallery pre'e"'efS "n'm"-
There was one there, howeSS whose
heart was aching with pain. Y, .SIlle.
-was beautiful and there u no
nlstaklng the fervent admiration - S h
which she was regarded by a |, but ms Ss
especially by the solitary occupant of 90
OF the boxes and this person Clara r6t
cognizcd as her husband. The entert in
mcnt progressed, and md the cheers and
applause, the floral tributes and the in-
cense of glanccs which were offered up at
the shrine OF the favorite actress, this,
timd, half-vellcd woman had eyes
only for the man she loved. How changed
he lookedi The contamination of that
woman's presence seemed to infect him
with fever; there was an unnatural DrillIan-
cy IN his splendid eyes, Notwithstanding
which his face Looked worn and haggard.
lie was never 80 at home.
The curtain fell at last, and tumultuous
applause brought Mile --bcforc it.
She was greeted with flowers and cheers
which were treated by tho pampered beauty
with proud Indifference, till at lust s. bou
quet more elegant than the rest fell at lie
feet. She gave a glance at one OF tilt
boxes, kissed her handto the occupant, ant
withdrew. Clara felt the building SWIM
round before her, but by strong effor
she controlled herself, and reached the eli
trance i'll safety.
Shutting herself in her carriage, sh
waited patiently, much to the astonishmen
OF her coachmAn, an unusual stolid indlvi
dual, quite avcrse to adventures. Half al
hour afterward he received the wclcom
order to drive home.
Clara had seen her husband emerge fror
; the stage entrance with Mllc.-.
: deadly pallor ovcrsprcad her countcnanct
, and she tainted.
On arriving at home Clara proceeded t
: the drawing-room, AS she opened tn
} door cry of astonishmcut broke from he
lips. MIR. Dc Joinvlle was seated in a
easy chair, reading.
lie looked mp good d-humorcdly and said
"Iurn about is fair play; where has III
pet wife bccn2"
Clara sat down wcarily.
u "Hcrbcrt, you can deceive me no longc
| was ut the theatre tonight. saw yC
and know all"
T. 81 was moi at the theatre tonight. Glars
: | do not like Aunt LiZa--shc has been he
!. again."
4 'IIcrbcrt, am mad 1 saw you, al
y and that woman"
u j, Mr.. De Jonvillc advanced and took Il
!, :, wifc's hand in his.
~ "My pct Wife" he said quietly, "tl
II person you saw tonight Mt the theatre
:" " my twin brother. Years ago he was COZ
PEELED to leave the country on account
.r his participation in forgery. lie had 1
u, in, clcratc enemy to whom he was deep
vt vt indebted, and who held the knowledge
Az AZ his crime. Notwithstanding Il long care
" of profigacy, loved this erring brother
10 mine. l accumulated money by addition
20 % labor without impairlng that fortune whlc
10 10 in the event of my demise, of right, 8 belon
!" WV TO you. have finally paid his debts, al
~ summoned him back to his native land,
-, his enemy is now no more. lie has Il
:" proved but little, an sorry to say, /
In his destiny is in his own bands and he
Nv make or mar it as he chooses. And no
cd my dear, arc you satislicd2"
ooh, Herbert, darling can you forg
me, wretch that have becp9"
cd Con one condition., Clara. " said MIR.
Joinville. smiling-"that You Will nc
In listen to Aunt Liza again."
Oh