Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-11
Gales ano Skettbes.
fnE fALIsNAx.
A STORY FOR YOUNG WIVES WITH ABSENT
HUSBANDS.

clair's young wife-unmistakably a pout
for though wife of almost two wears,
the fond, indulgent husband had for the
first time said nay to an openly expressed
wish.
The fancy ball of the season, grand
and fashionable assemblage, was to take
place during his absence, and he had said
that he should prefer she did not attend.
She was only twenty. Let this much
be said in extenuation of the two great
tears that rose to the brown eyes and
owlytrickled down the pretty face, splash
ing on to the dainty morning dress, which
clinging to the dainty form, revealed so
perfectly its graceful outlines.
Certainly. Niobe had no reason to feel
ashamed Of this one OF her children. But
Gerald Sinclair had only stopped to kiss
away the glistening drops, in a half-hur-
ried manner, perhaps TO hide his awaken
ing remOrse.
s.Neyer mind, little wife. I'll make il
up to you another time
Then he was gone; but she sat still,
turning and returning her wedding ring,
with eyes bent upon it. 1t was curious
ring-a solid band. set with five large
diamonds.
1t had been her charm, her talisman,
not to be taken from her finger until soul
and body parted; but this morning it had
lost its charm. If it failed to scatter the
clouds, it failed to bring back the sun
shine.
Even when the hour came round for
Gerald's homecoming he missed his usu-
al warm welcome but he thought that he
might trust his wife S heart and said nothing
The next day he started on his journey.
You're not going. my dear?" exclaimed
Mrs. Martin. bursting in upon her friend
on the morning of the ball. "And why
not?''
Gerald is away" replied Mrs. Sin
clair, with some little show of wifely dig
nifty. as though the fact were in itself sui
ficient explanation.
..And why need that make any differ
ence P' pursued Mrs. Martin, a bewitch-
ing little widow some few years her
friends senior. IL will share my escort
with you-Count Belzoni."
Sophie Sinclair looked amazed. She
knew that the man mentioned had but
lately gained entree into society, and
knew also that her husband disliked and
distrusted him.
Once or twice she had seen his eye fixed
admringly upon herself. and had felt
somewhat as the bird might feel beneath
the basilisk glare of the serpent.
well. why don't you answer? '' con
tinued Mrs. Martin. ''Will you go?"
mo, no." she replied trying to speak
with firm decision Besides. | do not
think that Gerald admires the Count
Prejudice, my dear-all prejudice
The Count is one of the most charming
and agreeable men | know. Indeed.
think | should be cannonized for my will
lingness to share his attentions, especially
rs l have heard him say all manner Of
pretty things about you"
Nonsense, Ellen" retorted Mrs Sin
clair.
But she felt the ground slipping beneath
her feet as she spoke.
After all. Gerald had not said positively
no! Had he thought it necessary after he
openly expressed his disapprobation Of
her going9
He had not known that she would be SC
sorely tempted. Besides, she would
wear mask. No one would know hel
and if she told Gerald. he would forgive
her. A sudden thought came to her.
II will go.' she said ut last. after con,
tinued urging. and looking at the picture
in all its brightest lights. ION one condi
ton, and that is. no one is to know me
not even the Count. Say that you have
persuaded a friend to accompany you
who wishes to remain unknown. will
come to your house. where you will find
me. and thus gain no clue
So it was decided. but spite OF her ex-
quiste costume of fairy as she concealed
it and herself beneath large domino. as
the clock on the mantle struck ten. il
seemed to Sophie that every stroke said,
Stay stay" ~
She was almost prompted to obey it.
but she had promised Ellen and. after all
she had heard that it it was best for young
wives to assert themselves.
An hour later. and. on the Count Bel
zoni's arm. she entered upon the brilliant
scene. So far. he had not even seemed
curious to ascertain her identity She ex-
perienccd at this singular sense of re-
lief
The ball was at its height as the
clock rang out the hour of mdnight but
for the first time in her lite light and gaiety
were distasteful. 4 hundred times she
wished herself at home.
II will tell Gerald. have already
been punished. she whispered to herself
rs she stood for Il moment alone in a quiet
corner.
"You look more like a nun than fairy
rather like one who had foresworn the
vanities of the world. than siren TO tempt
men to their destruction said u voice
close to her. Though to the latter know
no one more fitted
''Sir!" she exclaimed. Indignantly
recognizing. rs she spoke. the Count stand
ing at her elbow.
"Ah. you thought did not know you
l should penetrate any disguise You wore
Besides, You have forgotten to remove s
badge of recognition.
She followed with her eyes his down
ward glance. and saw that it rested on hel
hand, ungloved. rs in better accord with
the exigencies of her costume.
lnvoluntarily she drew it away. with
the ring which had betrayed her.
Denial was useless.
''Since you know me. them she said
1--WE will not further play a part. II
others we are masks; to ourselves. We
are ourselves"
"Ah, madame" he whispered, ..let u,
rather say to the world we are ourselves
to each other we are mask. Can men
think you. look coldly on such beauty a.
you possess? Can