The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-09-22


She had no excuse, and then Ralph's
GOODNESS Of the morning came forcibly to
her mind. So in desperation she donned
her prettiest costume, and called up all her
gayety to hide her aching heart.
But. to her astonishment, they had not
gone far before Mrs. Elton picked up Mr..
A., the gentleman with whose name her own
was SO disagreeably connected, who accom-
panied them during the whole drive. They
met many of their friends. and Roses cheek
flushed as ehc noted their cool greetings
and thought of the rumors atloat. A week
ago she would have thought nothing of it;
but, in the light of her husbands words,
this chance meeting with Mr.. A. looked
like studied appointment.
''Ralph is right, she decided mentally,
''and will tell him so tonight"
The pretty tea table was awaiting Ralph
coming, and 50 WAS thu sweet little wife.
all smiles and happiness once more. She
intended to meet him with the old, fond
kiss, and confess that she had been wrong.
How pleased Ralph would bel Instead Of
Ralph, however, came brief note:
"Rose, shall not be home to. night. 1
saw you driving with that precious pair who
are this evening the talk of tho whole town.
And to think my wife's name is mixed up
with it! feel too hurt and angry
to meet You just yet. RALPH"
There was only one thing in which a
woman like Rose could do in such case.
Sho tainted. When at last she recovered
consciousness she saw plainly in the face
of the servant who had come to her as
sistance that she had read the note and was
acquainted with her disgrace: Diminishing
her, Rose left the untouched supper to its
fAto TO ho~
room, threw herself upon the bed, and be-
tween her sobs, tried to form some plan of
action. Oh, how bitterly she now thought
Of both friend and husband!
Only three months married and it had
already come to this.
Proud and sensitive, she determined
that she would no longer remain beneath
his roof to bring discredit upon it: SO when
morning dawned, and Ralph, already re-
pentant and remorseful for his cruelty, re-
turned, he found no wife to give him well
come. Only few words 10 tell him that
she had gone forever.
Oh, the agony of that hour! How freely
would he have forgiven thousand offenses,
only to hold that dear form in his arms
once more!
He sat down and thought of the sweet
face. the dear blue eyes, and golden hair,
until thinking almost drove him wild. But
it was too late.
Why tell of the fruitless search, the lone
ly days, the final settling down into an al
| most utter despair? He could only family
try to keep up his hopes by thinking that
she loved him too we'll to stay away from
him forever.
But two years passed, and Rose May
nard had never visited their home.
Night in Chicago! Lights are blazing
everywhere in the heart of the brilliant
western city, and crowds are jostling each
other in their haste to reach their various
destinations.
A young man, tail and fine looking, has
just stopped ut the busiest corner of State
street, uudecidedly which way to turn next.
He is handsome, but his face looks sad,
and ne has way Of g]ancing shnr lily into
womens faces which seemed strangely out
of keeping with his quiet, gentlemanly
bearing.
AS one of these gay groups passes him,
he hears the name of Lolita" mentioned
as playing at McVicker's
"Lotta! he repeated 10 himself, slight
expression of interest flashing into his pale
face. 1T is q long time since have seen
her, and it will serve to brighten an hour or
SO of life at least. It is but STEP" glanc-
ing at the blazing theater so near him.
Eyes, he added, II may as we'll be in the
theater as in the street. I shall never end
her,
sigh escaped him rs he turned down
Madison and followed in the wake of the
pleasure-seekers. He was just about to
enter the theater, standing IN full radiance
streaming from its open portals, when 4
low cry beside him made him quickly turn.
A woman had fallen, fainting, almost at
his feet.
He lifted her in his arms, but the first
glance into her white, still face almost
caused him to drop his burden and sink
down beside it.
Rose! Rose! My God! is she dead?" be
mnttered excitedly, under his breath, for
the crowd was pressing around them.
He offered assistance, aud carried he
into the nesregt place he could find, where
she soon revived. Both being proud and
sensitive, however, they succeeded in re-
pressing their emotions until they were
alone together in the carriage which Ralph
had called.
Then the scene which followed can bst-
ter be imagined than described.
Rose, with her golden head upon bis
shoulder. told how she had awaited his
coming with blissful thoughts of reconcilia-
her feel that he though: that his wife had
disgraced him, and how, wild with shame
and anger at the thought she had flown to
Chicago, where she supposed she had an
uncle living.
Going to his old address, she found that
he had removed, nor could she find any
trace of him. Therefore, too proud to re-
turn to the home which she had deserted.
she obtained employment as seamstress,
and was just returning late from her work
when she caught sight of his face in the
brilliant glare from the theater. The sud-
den vision was too much, and she fell. DIV.
ing, as she thought, at his feet.
Would you never have come hore if
had not found you, Rose?"
II believe never should; J. thought N.Y.
self disgraced, and the more SO after had
reflected upon what people might say of
my flight"
"They all knew that was nearly heart
broken at your loss," said Ralph, with
grave tenderness; then after a little pause
he added: Have you never heard of Maude
Elton since you left?"
Never" with q slight shudder; "what
became of her?"
She eloped with A. only a week after
you eloped with yourself" said Ralph with
q little attempt at playfullness. Their
doubtful relations were on every tongue
that very day You were out with them, and
that why"
YES said Rose, putting her hand over
his lips, but don't say it; I want to forget
that day forever"
And 80 you shall, my darling"
And to think, Ralph, how firmly we
believed ourselves to be the only married
couple in the world who could live without
a first quarrel"
I think it was blessing in disguise,
though, darling, for it proved so terrible
it will certainly be our last"
And so it was.