Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-10-26
THE EL0PEMENT.


THE EL0PEMENT,
A lady. fair pale and lovely, leant
sadly over the balnstrade Of Nne'
wfeathed balcony. Within tho room
whence she had come were sounds Of
music, chat aud laughter, There her
| husband sat, quite iorgetful Of her cS'
istcnce. with his eyes fiyeted on the
beautiful face Of u dark'eyed foreign
woman. Her dress was splendid her
mien regal her mouth seemed formed
only for smiles and kisses, She was an
adventures, who was In debt for every
garment she wore, aud whose jewelry
we're gifts which she should have blush
cd to look at But the man never
drcamt Of this. In his eyes she utterly
eclipscd his pure, sweet loving wife, Us
wen On all other women, To win her he
was willing TO loso tho respect OF his
friends, the love Of his wife, to become
an cxilo and spend the rest OF his days
in somo foreign land, amongst people
whose language hc could not compre.
hcnd, and whose habits were distasteiul
to him, Already he had said this to
her. Already their plans had been
formed for an elopement. Tho man
had had conscience enough 10 arrange his
money matters, no that his wife should
still live in the comfort and luxury to
which she was accustomed; so that his
son and daughter should DO provided
for but he had given his future years
10 this siren who had wiled him from
his first lovc-irom the mother Of his
children-from II woman still charming
enough TO make many u man envy her
husband,
Tho woman, worse than he was-for
when woman is bad, she has no con-
science Thought of this act Of his with
anger. II made her rich lover less
worth having by half. Still, in the
country whence she came, the fortune
that remained would be princoly. She
could contrive that he should settle n
large sum upon her-make his will in
her favor-and then
"Well, thsn," the signorina said to
herself with little slnug of her shonl
ders-" "then if irpleases God to take
him, I shall sti1l be young and hand
omo."
She looked ut her conquest over the
glass of wine in which she pledged him
He was pale with that yellow paleness
that comes to the city man who has
spent his youth and early middle age IN
making money. lie was high liver,
who grew lean instead Of plump on hi'
high living.
"Not n man." she thought, "to live tc
be very DID," and she smiled bright.
as she pledged him.
Meanwhile the wife upon the balcony
clasped her hands in silent prayer, ant
these words were in her heart:
"Oh, God have pity on me. Restore
my husbands love to me. Do not LEI
that wicked woman take him from my
little ones and me. Do not leave INT
desolate."
Then she went back to her guests
and played the part of hostess, as she
must. There were those there who
loved her. As they took their leave
one, an elderly woman, drew her aside
"Lottie," she said, II do not like that
singer-that italian woman. We're
you, would drop her acquaintance.
think she is not person for you tc
know"
"She is almost q stranger, dear Mrs
Barnet" said Lottie. my husband
who adores music, wanted me to ask
ask her, and I did This visit over, i,
will be the last time. We cannot dis
miss her, you know"
"No," replied the lady. "One is often
so placed And men cannot see fault
in the manners of that sort of person.
and think envy prompts any criticism on
our part; but such people hurt one
Don't have her again, dear"
Lottie shook her head, smiled-ah
how hard it was to smile and said:
Goodnight"
The quests departed, each with a
pleasant word. The lights were put
ont, one by one. The italian declared
herself "dreadfully sleepy" and went
up to her room, with charming adieus
70 her hostess, who returned them cold
ly.
The master of the house, for the first
time that evening, addressed his wife.
II am going to my study, Charlotte, "
said. he. "'There are letters I must
write. / shall not disturb you by com
ing up stairs. 1 shall take my rest on
the lounge. It is so warm, one can
sleep anywhere"
",Then goodnight, DEAR" Charlotte
answered and suddenly, with penitence
in his eyes, and quaver on his lips, he
took her in his arms and kissed her.
The kiss sent her upstairs happy,
after ALL, j..
"He loves me, she said to herself
"He loves me. What need l care
Men are all like that when these sirens
are near them. Once gone, he will for
get her,"
Then she fell asleep, with her little
daughter in her arms.
Two hours after this, when all was
/ SiicHt III tue iuiSc houoc, but uooIo vi
the front door opened widely. The
master of the house had opened them
with his own hands. Two men crossed
the hall softly and took from the
Italians room her great trunk, ready
packed and strapped, and carried it over
the thickly carpeted hall without a
sound.
Out in The avenue beyond the gates
stood hired carriage; behind this they
placed the trunk, while the woman
glided out OF her chamber dressed for q
journey, and with her face closely veiled.
The master of the house gave her his
hand, and led her out, and drew the
doors behind him. Over the well-rolled
path they trod softly, and reached the
avenue. p. g