The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-02-17
A WIFES CHARM.

A pout upon the red lips of Geralt
Sinclair's young ife-unmistakably /;
pout-for though a wife of almost two
years, her fond, indulgent husband baC
for the first time said nay to an openly
| expressed wish.
The fancy ball of the season, granC
and fashionable assemblage, was tc
| take place during his absence, and he
had said that he should prefer she did
| not attend.
She was only twenty. Let this mucl
be said in eXtenuation of the two great
| tears that rose to the brown eyes. anC
slowly trickled down the pretty face
| splashing on to the dainty morning
dress, which, clinging to the dainty
form, revealed so perfectly its graceful
outlines.
Certainly, Niobe had no reason to
| feel ashamed of this one of her children.
But Gerald Sinclair had only stopped,
and kissed away the glistening drops,
in n half-hurried manner, perhaps to
hide his awakening remorse.
Never mind, little wife. I'll make
| it up to you another time"
Then he was gone; but she sat still,
turning and returning her wedding
ring, with eyes bent upon it. 1t was
curious f1ng-a SOllu DdnQ, set with nVG
large diamonds.
1t had been her charm, her talisman,
not to be taken from her finger until
soul and body had parted; but this
morning it had lost its charm. If ii
failed to scatter the clouds, it failed to
bring back the sunshine.
Even when the hour came round for
Gerald's homecoming, he missed his
hr,f hn fhDr l,f
that he might trust his wife's heart, and
said nothing. The next day he started
ON his journey.
you're not going, my dear?' ex-
claimed Mrs. Martin, bursting in upon
her friend on the morning OF the ball.
'.And why not?n
''Gerald is away" replied Mrs. Sim
clair, with some little show of wifely
dignity, us though the fact were in Itself
sufficient explanation.
''And why need that make any differ
ence?" pursued HRS. Martin, Il bcwitcl:-
ing little widow some few years he,
friends senior. 81 will share my es-
cort with you-Count Belzonir'
Sophie Sinclair looked up amazed:
She knew that the man mentioned had
but lately gained ent,'ee into society,
and knew also that her husband dis
liked and distrusted him.
Once or twice she had seen his eye
fixed admiringly upon herself, and had
felt somewhat rs the bird might feel be-
meath the basilisk glare of the serpent.
''Well, Thy don't you answer?' con-
tinued Mrs. Martin. '.Will you go?''
..No, no." she replied, trying to speak
will: c,m decision. besides, do not
think that Gerald admires the count. -
'"rejudice, my dear-all prejudice.
The count is one of the most charming
and agreeable men l know. Indeed, l
think should be canonized for my will
lingness to share his attentions, espe-
cially as have heard him say all man
ner of pretty things about you.''
Nonsense, Ellenr' retorted Mrs. Sim
clair.
But she felt the ground slipping be-
meath her feet as she spoke.
After all, Gerald had not said posi-
tivelyno! Had he thought it necessary,
after he had openly expressed his dis
appreciation of her going?
He had not known that she would be
so sorely tempted. Besides, she would
wear mask. No one would know her;
and when she told Gerald, he would
forgive her A sudden thought came
to her.
81 will co. she said at last, after
continued urging, and looking at the
picture in all its brightest lights, .'on
one condition, and that is, no one is to
know me-not even the count. Say
that you have persuaded a friend to ac-
company you, who wishes to remain
unknown. L will come to your house,
where he will find me, and thus gain no
clue"
So it was decided; but, spite of her
exquisite costume of a fairy us she con-
cealed it and herself beneath Il large
chimed ten, il seemed to Sophie that
every stroke said. 'tStay! stayr'
She was almost tempted to obey it,
but she had promised Ellen; and, after
all, she had heard that it was well for
young wives to assert themselves.
An hour later, and, on the Count Bel
zoni's arm, she entered upon the bril-
liant scene. So far, lie had not even
seemed curious to ascertain her identi-
ty She experienced at this singular
sense of relief.
The ball was at its height as the clock
rang out the hour of midnight; but for
the first time in her life light and gay
ETY. were distastefSl. A hundred times
she wished herselfat home.
Il will tell Gerald. l have already
been punished, she whispered to her
self, as she stood for a moment alone in
a quiet corner.
s.You look more like a nun than a
fairy-rather like one who had fore
sworn the vanities of the world, than a
siren to tempt men to their destruction"
said voice close to her, ''thOugh to the
latter l know no one more fitted"
.'Sirr' she exclaimed, Indignantly,
recognizing, as she spoke, the count
standing at her elbow.
s.Ah, you thought did not know you.
I should penetrate any disguise you
wore. Besides. you have forgotten to
remove a badge of recognition.
She followed with her eyes his down
ward glance, and saw that it rested on
her hand, ungloved. as in better accord
with the exigencies of her costume.
Involuntarily she drew it away, with
the ring which had betrayed her.
Denial was useless.
''Since YOU know me, them" she said,
''we will not further play a part. 20
the others we are masks; to ourselves
we are ourselves"
"Ah, madame" he whispered, ..let
us rather say to the world we are our
selves, TO each other we are n mask.
Can men, think you, look coldly on
such beauty as you possess? Can"
Indignant and alarmed, she checked
his further speech by starting forward
to escape him. His hand closed on
hers as in vice. She wrenched it
from him, sprang among a crowd of
Inaskers, and so made her way to the
door,
''Call carriage for me-" she direct
ed
Ten minutes later she was within her
own home. Her first impulse WAS to
tear off the hated costume which had
caused her such trouble; her next TO
throw herself on the bed and sob out
her excitement and contrition. The
morning sun, streaming into her room,
awOke her.
With shudder, she remembered the
events of the past night. She looked
down Mt her hanI-thc hand which had
been polluted by another's touch-as