Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-06-04


mingled with the glad sound of laughter.
rang out blithely on the frosty air: since
the night Of Aun; Liza's visit Clara had |
been supremely happy, her husband had
been spending his evenings regularly in her
company, and had once even taken her to
the very theatre spoken of by her aunt
True, ste had noticed the lovely Mile,
and had imagined her attentions were rather
plainly addressed To her husband, but she
had determined to Danish suspicion forever.
1t was an easy task, for frankness was one
Of the chief virtues in her lovely character.
Absorbed in her pleasant revere, she
had not noticed the approach of maid who
handed her letter. A vague presentiment
Of evil came over her as she opened 1t. 1t
was from Eliza. and ran as follows: 4
ny Dear Niece regret exceedingly the
positi ann placed IN, but feel bound, under
the circumstsnces, to expose your'husband's
dupliclty. saw him ur obsel we'd. TINS forenoon
con,erslpg IN the lobby OF the Varieties with
Mile. / overheard enc ugh to convince
me that he is golng to attend the ernDrmance
tonight He is cruelty deceiving you. and
| strongly advise you to unmask his villainy
and SCI arate from him Affectionately yours,
AUNT Liza
Clara crushed the letter in her iIands, and
sat there looking al the fast falling snow.
1t vas growing darker and he would soon
he here. And tEen2 Would she show him
the letter and demand an explanations
, No. 1t would be met by eq,nvocal replies
He was a master in the art of deception,
but that night would end it forever.
AS she thought thus she felt dull pain
at her heart-and the evening grew deeper.
| why, little wife, are you sitting alone
IN the gloamlng r.
1t was Herbert S CHEEKY; voice he bad en-
! tered unperceived.
/ Herbert, the tone was forced and
hoflo~-''are you going out to night?"
why, yes, my dear, might have told
! you this morning. | have an important
engagement. 1t will not be long now, pet
wife.
What did he mean2 He could not see
the weird beauty Of that pale face as she
bade him farewell.
1t was gala night at the varieties. The
! benefit of Mlle.-, the fame Of whose
beauty and talent it was whispered, had
drawn crowded audience: and boxes,
orchestra and gallery presented an anima-
tel scene.
There was one there, however, whose
heart was aching with pain. Yes, Mile.
--was beautiful; and there was no
mlstaklng the fervent admiration with
which she was regarded by a /, but more
especially by the solitary occupant of one
of the boxes; and this person Clara re.
cognized as her husband The entert ,in-
ment progressed, and mid the cheers anG
applause, the floral tributes and the ia
| of oil 2Aa
the shrine OF the favorite actress, this
timid, half-velled woman had eye
Only for the man she loved. How changed
he looked! The contamination of thai
woman's presence seemed to infect hin
with fever; there was an unnatural brillIan
cy IN bis splendid eyes, notwithstandln.
which his face Looked worn and haggard
He was never so at home.
The curtain fell at last, and tumultuou
applause brought Mile before it
She was greeted with flowers and cheers
which were treated by the pampered beaut
with proud Indifference, ill at last q bou
quet more elegant than the rest fell at he
feet. She gave q glance at one of th
boxes, kissed her handto the occupant, an,
withdrew Clara felt the building swln
: round before her, but by strong effor
she controlled herself, and reached the en-
trance in safety
Shutting herself in her carriage, sh
waited patiently, much to the astonlshmen
of her coachrnan, an unusual stoid indi vi
dual, quite averse to adventures. Half a
hour afterward he received the welcom
order TO drive home.
Clarahad seen her husband emerge fror
the stage entrance with Mile -.
deadly pallor oveIspread her countensnce
and she tainted.
On arriving at home Clara proceeded t
: the drawing room, AS she opened til
door cry of astonishmeut broke from he
:, lips. Mr.. De JoinviIe was seated in a
easy chair, reading.
. lie looked up good -humoredly and said
:, Turn shout is fair play where has II
= pet wife been2'
Clara sat down weariy
Herbert, you can deceive me no longe
!, | was at the theatre tonight. | saw yo
:. and know all"
: II was not al the theatre 10 o-alght Clar;
| DO not like Aunt Liza--she has been he1
again
:. Herbert, am mad !: saw you, al
: and that woman.
Mr.. De Joinviile advanced and took u
wife's hand in his
n ''Aly pet wife" he said quietly, ST
person you saw tonight at the theatre
o my twin brother. Years ago he was cor
PEELED TO leave the county On account
d his participation in forgery. He hal
inFeteraie enemy TO whom he was deep
indebted, and who held the knowledge
4 his crime. Notwithstanding long care
of protigacy, loved this erring brother
! mine. l accumulated money by addition
II labor without lmpairlng that fortune whic
4. in tie event OF my demise, of rights belon
e TO you haye hraliy paid his debts, ar
y summoned hun back 10 his native land,
er his enemy IS now no more. He has IL
proved but little, am sorry TO say, b
r his destiny IS IN his OWE hands, and he c
a fmake or mar it as he chooses. And no
or my dear, are YOU sa.isiedE'
oh Herbert, darling can you forgi
:. me, wretch tha, have been 60
''On one condition, Clara, said Mr..
" Joinville. smillng-'Tha, you Will nes
: / listen 10 Aunt Liza AGAIN. -