Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23

her door, and in bewitching dinner dresi
she was driven to the house her husband
had forbidden her 10 enter.
But the dinner drsgged-not but that Mrs
Armstrong; chef had done himself infinite
credit, or that her guests failed in their part
The trouble lay only with Mrs Hargrave,
self. In vain she strove to rally; compli
ments palled on her the lights tired her
One thought weighed on heart and brain
suppose Jack should be seriously displeasedi
We'll, what il he were. Mrs. Armstrong
told her how she had managed her husbands
first dispeasure.
Never yield |" she advised. "Nevei
show that you're sorry, and you'll soon learn
not to feel sorry"
So, when at ten o'clock she babe her
hostess goodnight, she determined not To
show that she felt any regret
| A light in the library told her that her
husband was at home. She hesitated an in.
slant at the door, then went boldly in.
Jack stood with his back TO the fire, his
eyes fixed upon her, but not her Jack. The
sternness had gone from his eyes, but no
smile was on his lips. Over all his face was
an expression of whitening contempt.
"You have enjoyed your evening, ma
dam p he said "you had for it the relish of
your falsehood this morning"
Oh, how wrong she had been She was
tempted to crawl up to him, and creep into
his arms and beg him to forgive her, but
she remembered Mrs. Armstrong; advice
eyes, she said, al had charming even
ing; but l am quite sleepy now. Good
night l am going to bed"
She turned to leave the room, but in one
stride he was beside her and held her arm in
a grip of steel.
"Coward, you hurt me" she said, in sud-
den anger. He dropped her arm then as
though she had stung him.
"You meant that word-you have ceased
to love me2 Why did you disobey me, May?"
"Because do not propose to be slave
to your caprice-because have had my way
all my life, and intend to have it,"
"And | say you shall not have it Choose
between Mrs. Armstrong and me-between
your unworthy friend and your husband
between your own will and our future hap
piness-on this Instant, choose !"
al have made my choice | abide by it..
When you are more reasonable, will listen
further. Now, goodnight !"
He made her no answer. She fingered a
moment at the head of the stairs hoping he
would speak again, but all was silent.
Oh, how unhappy she was as she shut and
barred her door Strange as it may seem,
she had never loved her husband 30 we'll as
now. His pale, handsome face haunted her.
4" How hateful was !" she said to her.
self. Gas if would not give up fifty Mrs.
Armstrong; for one Jack. will give her
up, too, but I'll do it in my own way"
Once she unlocked the door TO go down.
But not would undo all that her firmness
haA aooprppliobal tha al, 30
her sleepless one.
In the early morning servant brought
her note. 1t was from her husband, and
ran thus:
"At nine o'clock sail for Europe, to be absent
three months. During that time my lawyer will
consult you In regard to our separation, and make
1t as easy as possible have known for long
time that our tastes were Numerically opposed,
that all my sweet hopes of home were wrecked,
but not that you could defy and outrage the love
which so freely gave you. Do not think me
harsh in leaving you without goodbye, but
thought it would be less painful to us both"
With tear-blinded eyes she glanced up at
the clock. 1t was just eight She had one
hour in which to act. 1t was but the work
of ten minutes to order the carriage, make a
hasty toilet, swallow cup of coffee, then
issue her commands to the coachman to
drive at any speed, but reach the pier before
the clock struck nine. One hour to undo
what might be lfe's fatal work.
But time waits for no man. 1t was ten
minutes past the hour when the pier was
reached, and already far out in the bay stood
the gallant ship.
With low cry of agony May realized the
whole; then the strain relaxed, and the fair
young head fell back upon its silken cushions
in dead faint.
GA lady tainted |" was the cry which
reached gentleman giving some directions
about the baggage which he had counter
manded being put upon the vessel which had
Just set sail.
He turned quickly. There stood his own
horses, his own carriage, and within it the
lovely face of his unconscious wife.
1t was the work of an instant to spring
beside her and lift it on his breast, trying to
revive her with his passionate kisses. At
last the beautiful eyes opened with wild, in
credulous recognition.
"Oh, am dreaming" she murmured.
"Jack, Jack don't leaver'
"No, darling-nol At the last moment
my heart relented. | thought perhaps l had
misjudged you, or that i had been too Sc
we're, and ordered my baggage taken off
the steamer and let it sail without me. My
wife, thought you did not love me-that
you had chosen the world; because, my
darling, no true woman finds it hard to
yield to the man whom she can respect and
love; and surely, May, you did not find me
tyrant."
But she can only sob out her plea for for
giveness-a plea all too easy to grant and
even tears are sweet when kissed away by
loves lips.
But May never forgot her lesson. Each
year home grows sweeter, more precious,
and some of the jostling, outside world is
shut away, but May misses nothing. She
has found her world within Jacks heart,
and knows that he is well content that she
should nestle there.-Seiected.