Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-09-15

cuse, and, with n smothered pang at hel
heart, Daffodil had thought of Olive
Dodworth, the brilliant young actress
even then playing Mt one of the minor
city theaters.
"Does he care for her YETI" Daffodi
asked herself; and there came no salts
factory answer to the query.
And so it happened that tonight, IA
she stood among the geraniums, looking
out Mt the sunset, she was not quite
happy.
"In old times" said this bride of siA
months to herself, John was alwayt
home to take me for walk i'll the
twilight. He never thinks of it now.
Were Aunt Jocasta and Mrs. Mudg,
right, after all? Was man n delusion
and life a dreary series of disappoint
ments?
As these dispiriting reflections pass
ed through her mind, she was startled
by the unexpected sound of IA footsteE
on the tioor-a footstep too light anC
elastic to be that of her husband.
She turned, and was amazed TO see,
in the indistinct light, the tall figure OF
a beautiful young lady, richly dressed,
and wearing such Partisan bonnet as
poor Daffodil had never seen before.
Pardon me for intruding," said the
lady, with IA royal air, "but are these
Mr.. Grey's rooms?"
"They are" said Daffodil, summon
ing all the dignity at her control, and
secretly wondering if this might not be
the bete nOire of her thoughts and fan
cies-Miss Dodworth "But | did not
hear you knock"
81 did not knock" said the anony-
nous fair one, with hauteur
Datfodl colored:
Il am Mrs. Grey" said she quickly.
Pardon me-" said the lady, Il am
Mrs. Grey. 1 suspected something of
this petO order of things" with a con-
temptuous curl of her hp, "and have
came on from Chicago to counteract il. y
Madame" said Dafodl, standing
very erect, although she could feel her
self trembling all over, you must be
insane! was married to Mr.. Grey on
the first day of last January"
The Lady laughed-a hard, mirthless
laugh"
"Indeed" said she. And was mar
ried to him on the 9th of October, two
years ago. Poor childp' as the pallor
overspread Dafodil's countenance, II
don't suppose yOU are to blame, but IN
this hard world we have to suffer for one
another's crimes. Where is hep"
'I-don't know" family admitted
the bride.
"Humph!" said the lady compressing
her lips. ''He is at his old tricks, I see.
Well can wait Ynn don't ask me To
be seated, but I shall take that liberty
without your permission.
And she sat down, finging back the
folds of her rich India shawl, while DAT
fodil watched her with silent dismay.
Was this true? Had John Grey really
deceived her? He whom she had loved
so entirely, trusted SO infinitely? If this
was really so, there was no truth i'll all
the world!
The shadows gradually deepened; the
clock on the mantel ticked as busily as
if it were running n race against time
and still the two sat there, silent, speech
less, each dreading, yet longing, to hear
John Grey's footsteps on the stairs.
At last he came.
Sitting in the dark, pet?" he cried,
merrily, as he crossed to the mantel and
lighted the gas-jet. Il must see your
dear little face, for have something to
tell you which"
He checked himself abruptly, for at
that moment he caught sight of the pale
beautiful stranger III the Partisan hat
and glistening Indian shawl. He turned
to Daffodil.
"Who is this lady" he asked.
81 do not know her." she answered.
"Do not yOu?"
"Never saw her before in all my life"
said Grey, III unfeigned amazement.
The lady rose little nervously.
'Is-thiS gentleman your husband?'
she said, the color varying on her cheek.
"He is" Daffodil mechanically re-
piled.
"There is some mistake" said the
stranger, with visible embarrassment
"This is not the Mr.. Grey | mean. My
Mr.. Grey is short and dark, with heavy
beard-Richard Richardson Grey-and
The young husband struck his hand
on the table, as if an idea had suddenly
occurred to him.
"'With slight cast in one eye?" said
he. San artist, is he not?"
Exactly" cried the India-shawled
beauty.
"He occupies the suite of rooms di-
rectly above u.s." said he. HE moved
in last month"
"Then, said the lady, 81 have mis-
taken the fiat. Pray, pray"-to Datfo-
dil-"forgive mel"
But Daffodil could only laugh hysteri-
cally. and hide her head on her hus-
bands shoulder.
And not until the door had been closed
behind the stranger, did John Grey ex-
claim:
"Poor fellowl I have heard some
thing of this. She torments the life out
of him, with petty exactions and un-
founded jealousies. She follows him
around the world like Nemesis. I'm
glad YOU are not like her, my pretty
Daffodilr
And then he went on to tell his wife
how he had been working busily all this
time to earn enough, by extra labor al
his profession to buy a little one-storied
cottage, in the suburbs of the city, with
a tiny garden attached, where there was
an apple tree, thicket of moss-roses
all in bud, but little summer house al
braided over with glossy woodbine.
'I signed the papers to-day, Daffodil,
said he. "We can move IN next week.