Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-17

this time" she said to herself, 1--WE can
go out for an hour
She went lightly up the stairs till she
came to the door of the sitting-room.
She stepped outside. astOnished
She could hear her husbands voice; it
was raised angrily. With whom could he
be talking?
"You wrong her." he said; ''she is NO
adventures She is my wife, and for
bid you to say word against her,
A woman's voice answered him.
Frank, this will break your father
heart, as II has broken mine. We hoped
i: was at the worst some boyish escapade;
but 10 have married this governess-girl-
to have given her title which the best
born woman in the land might have been
proud TO wear-Frank. it is lorriblet'
Nellie knew then that it was Franks
mother speaking. She would have gone
in and pleaded for Frank, too. but her
courage forsook her. This naughty
mother frightened her. She began to feel
she had done something very dreadful.
She would not 90 into the room: but she
could not 90 away. Something fascinated
her, and she stood where she was and
heard passionate quarrel between moth
er and son about herself.
LADY Redgrave alter writing the letter
TO her son. had followed it. She had
some idea that at least the scandal might
be spared the family Of having this young
person publicly acknowledged. She had
some vague, wild notion that even now
matters might be arranged, and. when
she found that her last hope was gone.her
pent-up passion and modification found
vent in torrent of reproaches.
Poor, trembling Nellie heard it all. She
heard herself painted in the worst form OF
colors she heard powerful picture drawn
of Franks aged father at home broken
hearted at his sons conduct; she heard
mother and son quarrel fercely. and the
son VOW that he would see his mothers
face no more-and all through her-all
through her.
II was then that, with violent effort,
Nellie tore herself from the spot, and
rushing up stairs to her room. flung her.
self on her knees by the bedside and sob
bed as though her heart would break.
This, then, was the end of her short
dream of happiness She had brought
misery to her husband s family. His fathers
heart was breaking, he had forfeited his
mothers love-and all for her. She
wished she was back at Miss Morton's.
She was only drudge there-a some
thing kept, ont of charity, and looked
down upon-but she didn't make any one
miserable. She had never wrecked any,
bodv's life there. Gradually she grew
calmer. Hes husband should not see she
had been crying. nor should his mother.
She bathed her eyes and smoothed her
hair. She would go down. and tell this
lady who thought her so wicked that she
was not the heartless. designing girl she
imagined. She would offer to 90 away.
No one should ever know she was Franks
wife
She removed the traces of her agitation.
and when she was i1ite calm she went
down stairs, but her heart beat, oh, how
quickly, and something would c,me in
her throat. that nearly choked her.
She opened the sitting-room door and
went in.
Frank was alone.
He was sitting on the sofa, his face buried
in his hands.
He looked up at the sound of her foot
steps. and spoke with an evident effort.
you've been a long time. Nellie he
said, .'where have you been"
She hesitated. Should she tell himP
No; she would wait till he said something
to her.
He said good deal. He talked at ran
dom. but he never mentioned his mothers
visit.
Presently he got up and looked out of
the window.
I'm bit upset over writing this letter
Nellie" he said. an 90 out and have
cigar. and think what shall say
lie stopped down and kissed her, and
went out.
Continued Tomorrow