Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-09-07

himself on a chair, "ypn boo liiht ! Aih
almost insane, | cannot bear this sls-
pehse any iOnger-L viii mol bear ",
A. your husband, I demand an explain
atiOn, saw that man leaving the house
again few minutes ago, and he has
been here Tor hours Violet, want to
know what Il meansr
hhe bent over her work, but made no
answer
"yiolet," hs went on, his agitation
increasing at a fearful rate, ~ cannot
live with you II you persist In keeping
this secret from me, My wife must
have no skeletons Ia her closet, have,
borne II ~ long ~ ean-as long an j
will, command you nov to toll me
ALTO make every thing clear, or hence
forth our lives arc divided"
Violet was very pale, and her fingers
tfembled neryously ~ hhe stitched away
at her embroidery still, that little,
dancing, misci,ievOus sparkle III her
eyes
"yiolet, will you esplainY" urged her
excited husband,
"No, sir l have no explanation to
make"
lilo rose to his feet white and stern.
"'lhen You arc no wife Of mine, !
cast You oi-wash my hands OF you
You can 90 back to your father, and tell
him that you have blighted my lie and
broken my heartF
She rose. also. and took up her babe.
~ will 40, Guy" sho replied. quietly.
He stood atill whore she left him,
listening 10 hor light footsteps ascend
Ing the stairs. Was he awake-in his
senses wah II u realityp Was she leav'
ing him-his Violet the mother OF his
babe-thc only woman he had ever
loyedY Ho was on tho point OF rushing
after her and imploring her forgiyenosu
but that stinging pain came back to his
heart, aud held him back. She was
false to him-let her go, At that IN
slant ho heard her voice calling softly
from tho head Of the stairs -
"Guy-Guy, will you come up here,
plcascp want you moment"
Ho went up. She met him on tho
passage.
"Bear with mo, Guy" she aid, hum
bly, ~ will 90 directly; but ] have
something TO show you first"
She lod tho way TO small room Just
beyond their chamber, tho same little
sparkle burning in her eyes. Guy fol-
lowed with fierce, impatient strides,
She threw open tho door, and there,
supported against the wall, was a por-
trait OF herself, with tho babe in her
arms as large M life. Her golden hair
fell back from her smooth brow in shin
ing ringlets, and her azure robe, sweep.
ing of from tho shoulders in clouds OF
misty lace, fell TO tho floor in gorgeous
ields Never was anything 10 perfect
or 80 lovely. And tho babe, mass OF
white embroidery, with n round, dim.
pied, laughing facc, and chubby hands
peeping out Guy started at the bcauti-
iul creation in utter astonishment; then
forgetting his jealousy, he exclaimed -
30, Violet; where did you get itp 1t
IL yourself over again, and the loveiiest
ti,iun I s-or COW" .
"Io.day is your birthday, Guy" she
replied, softly, "and that is my present;
| heard you say once that You would
ooner have portrait Of mo and baby
than anything else in tho world 80
coaxed tho money out OF father, and
engaged IN artist to paint it secretly,
that | might give you n surprise. But
he had to work hard to get it done
against to-day" :.
Poor Guy! the truth flashed on him
like lightning That was the secret
he had seen the artist going and com
ing, and had doubted his wife while she
was working to please and crafty him:
His face turned all colors, and he stood
in silence looking ashamed OF HIM
self.
81 am done now, Guy" Violet said,
the mischievous dimples deepening
about her pretty mouth 81 will CO.
go, Violet he burst out, "forgive
me-forgive me; have been a great
fool, I know-but forgive me, Violet.
Holding her babe with one arm, she
nut the other around his broad shoul-
ders and drew him close to her side. He
bent his head to kiss her.
eyes, Guy" she said, 81 forgive you
but YOU must never doubt me again"
"Never again, Violet" he answered.
tenderly. "You have cured me com
pletely; we shall never have another
skeleton"