Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-11

- She looked again-she looked away
and back-she rubbed her eyes and look
ed-the color meanwhile futtering out Of
her cheeks, and her pale lips quivering las
if heart seemed to stand still in sudden
agony Of fear; for from the third finger
was missing the talismanic ring.
When and where had she lost il, and
how could she now find the courage 70
confess all to Gerald? She rose and dress
ed, revolving and re-revolving this prob
lem in her mind.
At any hour her husband might return.
For the first time she dreaded to meet him
dreaded to look into the kindly, hand
some ewes, and read there all his incredu-
lous reproach, mingled perhaps with scorn
and anger.
The day wore on. Her friend, Mrs.
Martin. ran in to scold her for her deser
ton but her pale face and trembling tones
made good her plea for sudden illness.
At nightfall Gerald arrived. She threw
herself in his arms in a burst OF nervous
weeping; but when he wonderingly asked
its cause, her courage failed her.
Why was it she had never imagined he
might look stern until to-day?
4 week passed. when one evening. sit
ting in the twilight, step sounded close
beside her. She looked up to discover
the Count.
Pardon ~ he began, in answer to her
indignant, questioning look; why must
you be so cruel May now see you?'
"Sir, l command you to leave me.
am now under the protection of my own
root"
He was about to answer, when a latch
key was heard inserted in the outside
door.
In an instant he had sprung into some
place OF concealment, but the fact that he
was near lent to the young wife sudden
courage. born of the moments despera-
ton. Her husband. entering. approached
her, but she motioned him back.
Gerald" she said, IL have bitter
confession to make. 1t is fitting you
should hear it now
He listened with arms folded across his
breast, while she told him all the story of
that fated night.
And is this all ~ he questioned bit
terly. when she had paused.
mo. not ALL" she continued, raising
her voice. my confession has another
witness, who has forced his hated presence
again upon Inc. The Count Belzoni is
here again, Gerald"
As she spoke she drew aside the cur
tain; bat the form she expected to dis
close was gone, the open window attest
ing to its flight.
Silently the husband drew a paper from
his pocket. and showed her Il paragraph.
offering a reward for the arrest of a thief
and swindler known as Count Belzoni.
"My darling" he said. my little wife
has learned a good lesson she will never
forget. have known this story all the
time. but have waited until you came to
tell it to me. returned the night of the
ball to take you with me, when found
you had gone. Imagine what suffered,
and my added suffering when, arriving at
the scene of enjoyment where had fol-
lowed you, | discovered who was your
companion. | stood near you and heard
the words he addressed to you,-heard
with joyful heart your answer; saw you
wrench your hand from his hold. and also
saw what you did not, the sparkle of the
ring he drew from your finger. Poor lit
tie girl, watched you hasten through
the crowd. and knew that you had already
met bitterest punishment. 1t has been
through my efforts that the Count has
been traced and exposed Only this morn
ing recovered your ring from the man
with whom he pledged it as security
Once more place it on your finger. But
remember. darling, it is only the outward
charm. 4 wiie's true taisman is heI
husbands honor, which no thief may steal
unless he adds assassination to his crime,
and buys it with her hearts blood"