Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-07

II was no uncommon thing for Erne'
to spend his evenings With his boob
and thoughts, while his beRutifnl youn
wife went out alone.
"Grace, wish you to give Mrs. Bleef
Iington up" he said to her one evening
as they sat ct dinner.
"Nonsense, Ernest, / cannot do it II
Wished II ever 90 much"
"But you must do it. will not hav
you 60 to that womRn's house again. !"
but Ernest, have already accepte
m invitation to dinner party there 70
Thursday evening"
"Then write and decline. I do NO
ask you this without cause, little girl
but things have recently come to m,
hearing regarding this lady, and do no
wish my Wife's name coupled Will
Ihers."
Grace made no reply, but in her owl
theart her decision was unaltered. Be
Igtn to yield to mans whims, and wher
would she end? or course she shoul,
60 She had been married more than
ear now, and, go far, had always hat
her own sweet will and way.
Il This time the latter was unexpectedly
nade easy to her; for as Ernest kisset
kher good bye on Thursday morning. b.
1said to her:
II shan't be home to dinner tonight
Grace. You had better dine ut mothers
By the way, this was Mrs. Blessington'
night You have declined that invita-
tiOn ?'
The first fear she had ever felt of Efn
est crept into her heart at o new sterE
look she saw in his eyes, and it drew hel
q rst faleebood to him from her lips.
Yes, she answered.
He stopped and kissed her more ten;
derly.
''I'll make it up to you, darling. Be
lieve me, did not ask it without good
cause"
| She stood quite still after he had left
her. She was half tempted yet to obey
him; but-pshaw! what nonsense il
was!
So, at 2 O'Clock, the carriage stood al
her door, and, In bewitching dinner
dress. she was driven to the house hel
husband bad forbidden her to enter.
But the dinner dragged-not but that
Mrs Blessington's chef had done him
self infinite credit, or that her guests
failed in their part. The trouble lay
only with Mrs. Redgrave'sself. In vain
she strove to rally; compliments palled
on her the lights tired her. One thought
weighed on her heart and BRAIN:
| Suppose Ernest should be seriously !
displeased? Well, what if he were.-
Mrs Blessington had told her how she
had managed her husbands first dis
pleasure.
"Never yield !" she advised. "Nevel
show that you're sorry. and you'll soon
learn not to feel sorry"
So when, at 10 o'clock, she bade heI
hostess goodnight, she determined not
to show that she felt any regret.
A light in the library told her that hel
instant at the floor, then went boldly
in.
Ernest stood with his back to the fire,
his eyes fixed upon her, but not heI
Ernest. The sternness had gone from
his eyes, but no smile was on his lips
Over all his face was an expression o1
withering contempt.
"You have enjoyed your evening,
madam" he said. "YOu had for it the
relish of your falsehood this morning"
Oh, how wrong she had been! She
was tempted to go to him, and creep in
to his arms, and beg him to forgive her
but she remembered Mrs. Blessingt0n's
advice.
"Yes," she said, II had q charming
evening; but I am quite sleepy now
Good night. am going to bed"
She turned to leave the room; but in
one stride he was beside her, and held
her arm in grip of steel.
"Coward. you hurt mel" she said In
sudden anger.
He dropped her arm then as though
she had stung him.
You meant that word-you have
ceased to love me! Why do you disobey
me, Grace?"
because do not choose to be q slave
to your caprice-because have had my
own way all my life, and intend to have
| it."
"And say you shall not have it,
Choose between Mrs Blessingion and
me-between your own will and our fu
ture happiness-on this instant, choose!' u
II have made my choice, abide by
it. When you are more reasonable
will listen further. Now, good night"
He made her no answer. She linger-
ed a moment at the head of the stairs,
hoping he would speak again, but all
was silent.
"How hateful I was 7" she said to her.
self. "As If would not give up fifty
Mrs. BlessiDgtons for one Ernest. will
give her up too, but I'll do it in my own
way"
| Once she unlocked the door to 70
down. But mott would undo all that
her f1rmness had accomplished so the
might passed, to ner sleepless one.
| In the early morning q servant
husband, and ran thus:
| CAT O nioI0ok ofort for India to hn
absent six months During that time
my lawyer will consult you in regard to
our separation, and make it as easy fol
you as possible. I have known for q
long time that our tastes were diametri-
cally opposed-that all my sweet hopes
of home were wrecked-but not that
you could defy and outrage the love
which SO freely gave you. Do not
think me harsh In leaving you without
q goodbye, but I thought it would be
less painful to US both"
With tear blinded eyes she glanced
up at the clock. Itwas justS. She had
one hour in which to act 1t was but
the work of ten minutes to order the
carriage, make q hasty toilet, swallow
q cup of Coffee, then issue her com
mands to the cOachman to drive at any
speed, but reach the terminus before the
clock struck 9. One hour to undo what
might be life's fatal work!
But time waits tor no man. It was
ten minutes past the hour when the
terminus was reached, and already the
train was speeding on its way.
With low cry of agony Grace realiz
ed the whole; then the strain relaxed
and the fair young head fell upon iti
stlken cushions In dead faint.
i "A lady tainted" !" was the cry which
reached gentleman giving some direc.
tions about the luggage which he haG
4 countermanded being put in the mai
train.
He turned quickly. There stood hi
own horses. his own carriage, and with
in it the lovely face Of his unconscioul
wife.
It was the work of an instant to sprins
beside her and lift it on his breast, try.
ing to revive her with his passionat,
kisses. At last the beautiful eyes open,
ed with wild, incredulous recognition
"Oh am dreamingv she murmur
ed. Ernest. don't leave me!n
mo darliDQ-uOi At the last mo.