The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-03-15
A WIFE'S CHARM.

N pout upon the req Ups OF herald
Sinc!a;rs young wife-unmis,skahly
4 pout-ior though a wife Of almost
two years, her fond, iHduIsen, hue.
band had for The first time sa;d nav
20 an openly expressed wish.
The fancy ball O. the season, a
grand and fashionable assemblage, was
TO take place during his absence. and
ne lad said that he should prefer she
lid 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 slowly tricklsd down the
pretty face. spisshing on the dainty
morning dress. which, ciinging to the
dainty form, revealed SO perfectly it=
graceful, wil!owy outlines.
Certainly Niobe had no reason to
I've ashamed of this one of her children.
But Gerald Sinclair had only STONED
and kissed away the glistening drops,
in n haif-hurried manner, perhaps 10
hide his awakening remorse
Never mind, little wife. TIL make
il up TO you some other time"
Then he Was gone hut she sat still,
turning and returning her wedding
ring. with her eyes bent upon it. Ii
VA. curious ring-a solid band, set
with five large diamonds.
Ii had been her charm. her tails
man. not TO be taken from he. finger
ill soul and body had lost il. charm.
If it failed to scatter the clouds, it
failed to bring back the sunshine.
Even when the hour came round
for Geraid's homecoming, me missed
his usual warm welcome but thought
that he might trust his wi:e's heart.
and said nothing. The next day he
started on his journey.
"You're not going, my dear?' ex-
claimed Mrs. Martin, bursting in up
on her friend on the morning of The
ball. "And why not?"
Gerald il away" replied Mrs. Sin
clair, with some little show Of wifely
dignity, as though the fact was in
itself sufficient explanation.
"And Why need that make any diff.
ference ?" pursued Mrs. Martin.
bewitching little widow some few
years her friends senior. Il will share
nv escort with you-Count Belzoui !"
Sophie Sinclair looked up amazed.
She knew that the man mentioned
had but lately gained entree into good
society. and knew also that her hus.
hard disliked and disirusted him.
Once or twice she had seen his eye
fixed aGmiringly upon herself, and
had felt somewhat rs bird might feel
beneath the basi.isk glare Of the ser
pen..
swell. Why don't you answer"
Mrs. Martin, "Will you
goy.
"Nc. 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 the most agreeable
men / know. Indeed, think / would
be canonized for my willingness to
hare his attentions, especially As Il
have heard him say all manner of
nice things about you.
Nonsense, Ellen :" retorted Mrs.
Sinclair.
But she felt the ground slipping |
beneath her feet as she spoke.
After all. Gerald had not eaid posi-.
lively no! Had he thought it necces-
airy, after he had openly expressed
lis disarprobation of Fer going?
He had not known that she would
,e 90 eorely tempted. Besides, she
vould wear a mask. No one would
now her; and when she told Gerald.
'e would forgive her. A sudden
bought came TO her.
Il will CO." che said at last, after
ontinued urging. and looking at the
icture in all its brightest lights, "on
ne condition. and that Is, no one is to
now me-not even the count. Say
hat you have pursuaded q friend to
you, who wishes to remain
nknown. / will come to your house ,
here be will End me, and thus gain
o clew." n
So it was decided; but. spite of {
er exquisite costume Of . fairy - she