The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-10

4
when the young wife sat down an
told her of her recent introduction
to Mr.. Chesterfield. and of Sir Ed
gar's intention to invite him to tn
house, the mothers countenanc
also changed, and for moment sh
confessed herself unable to offer an,
advice in the matter.
II cannot leave suddenly, Ida,
she said, ''or make any excuse tha
Minnie is i'll, as it was only las
evening ! was telling Edgar hov
much she was enjoying herself will
her friends in the country, and hi
suspicious would be dangerousl,
aroused. No, the best and wises
plan is to let things take their owl
course, and to trust in the mere,
and goodness of Him who was pleas
ed to send us this great and bitter
trial so many years ago. The chan
ces are, dear Ida" (for the young
wife was trembling in her mothers
embrace) that George Chesterfield
will never recognize me. | was but
a few years older than you when he
saw me last; and now my hair is
white and"
"0h dear mother, / was wrong
not to tell Edgar before we were
married." interrupted Ida. "What
would he say if he were to learn the
truth now, the mistress of his home
and the mother of his child"
Hush hush compose yourself,
my Ida," said Mrs. Sinclair sooth-
ingly. "Go to your husband, do
nothing to excite his suspicion,
neither for one moment conjecture
up evils that may never exist. Even
if this be the George Chesterfield
whom your father"
Mother, don't" almost shrieked
Ida, ''the very walls have ears"
"But even if he be, DEAR" added
Mrs. Sinclair, "the same George
Chesterfield, surely he would never
publish it abroad to the world"
They returned to the dining-room
where Ida had left her husband,
and no further allusion was made
to the dinner party. On the follow
ing morning, however, as Lady
Westbrooke sat in her boudoir
alone, with her boy on her knee,
Sir Edgar joined her, and she then
told him that she was perfectly will
ling to invite any guest that the
husband might choose to select.
She looked SO pretty, so utterly
guiltless, as she sat there with the
sunlight turning her bright
brown hair into gold, that he bent
and kissed her with more than usu-
al affection.
"My little wife shall ask whom
she pleases, and then she will please
me-" he said, with much tender
ness. "Only / don't like her taking
prejudice without reason"
Ida colored deeply, and longed,
Is he stood there by her side, play
ng with his boy, to make full
confession OF everything, and trust
o his love and affection for the rest.
rs he turned to leave her the words
we're on her lips, Edgar come back
have something to tell you," and
hen she looked at her babe, and
Ter courage failed her--her tongue
vas mute; and Sir Edgar left her.
How miserable she felt all through
he day! All! and many more in
accession and how many tears she
he'd in secret; Her mother had
Idvised her to invite Mr.. Chester
ield to dinner, in accordance with !
Ter husbands wishes, and Ida had |
lone so, though her fingers trembled
IS she penned the words, and she |
ived in continued dread of what the
of it all might be. She
,egan to think that it was impossi-
lie to live like this much longer
hat, come what may, she must tell
Ter husband.
The evening of the dinner party
rrived, and, although Ida had been
and hysterical all the day,
he stood by her proud husbands
ide in the drawing room, calmly
Ding the honors of hostess. Her
nother sat on an ottoman near her,
boxing pale and lovely, with her
ands placidly folded, and the light
rom candelabra throwing its faint
thinner upon the silver tresses of
er hair.
"Mr. Chesterfield"
Lady Westbrooke went forward
D meet him, and uttered the words
{ introduction to her mother with
ps that never faltered. The con-
ciousness that this night would de-
srmine everything, either one way
r the other, made her feel wonder
llly brave.
She saw her mothers cheek turn
, the hue of death, and the blood
ush like a torrent to George Ches-
face. The recognition was
without the shadow of
oubt; and Ida, with sickening
,eling possessing her, went back to
er husbands side, fearful as to what
light happen next.
Later on, almost toward the end
the evening, shell heard her mother
with him in asmall ante
pom which adjolned the drawing
pom on the top of the staircase.
She was sitting a little way apart
'om the others. Her husband was
OF with them-she believed that
e was in the card room below
hen Mrs. Sinclair walked toward
er, and STOPPING down, whispered
iat Mr.. Chesterfield wished to speak
, her alone.
For a moment she hesitated-
hat if Sir Edgar should return
nd find her in the ante-room with
le man she had shown such dis
Ike to?
"Do go-he won't detain you
whispered Mrs. Sinclair
urriedly. "You will be back be.
ire any one has time to miss YOU"
And Ida went her heart beating
idly.
The gas burned low in that little
,om where George Chesterfield