Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-18
Gales alro Skfttbes.
FRANK REDGRAyE'S WIFE.
BIZ GEORGE r. SIMS.
lCont,nucn from Yesterday. }

thought. Poor Frank, She went to the
window and watched him leave the h -ei.
Then she sat down and thought over all
that had happened. and wondered what
she could do.
There was knock at the door, and the
English waiter came in.
Il beg pardon. madam but lady de-
sires To know if she can see YOU for mo-
ment.''
Nellie guessed in 4 moment who it was.
She said. YES. she would see the lady.
At least Franks mother should hear her
story.
The waiter returned in few moments.
and ushcrei in handsome. grey haired
lady. Nellie knew it was Frank moth
err directly she looked at .Ier face.
1t was cruel interview for Nellie.
Lady Redgraye WAS polite. but mprci-
less. In sharp. cutting words. every one
OF which pierced the poor young bride 5
heart Franks mother told her II, plainly
40 she could what misery this mesalli nee
had caused.
You are cruel,' sobbed Nellie. break
ing down. Indeed, indeed. did not know
you would all hate me So"
But at last the girls prond spirit re-
cusations of Franks mother.
MADAM she cried, II am your son :
wife you have no right to speak TO me
like this-vOu shall moi , This is my room
leave it.''
Lady Redgraye stared haughtily at the
daring girl moment, then bowed, and
walked TO the door.
''You are insolent.' she said. turning in
the doorway. II might have expected it,
You have played your cards well. You
have won a rich prize, and what does it
matte. to you that YOU have married your
dupe's whole future life, and separated
him from those who loved him? Ny son
will see his folly soon enough, and then
he will hate YOU as dot
The proud woman, .merciless in the
passion which had blinded her to every
thing else, almost Kissed the last words
as she closed the door.
Nellie hid not cry any more. She he
gan to think that it must be true that she
had blighted Franks life. made his father
and mother wrctched, and that in time he
would come to hate her
Lady Redgrave idoized her son. and
was not at heart cruel woman. But she
so fully believed that her boy had been
the dupe of a designing girl, that she
never paused to think what cruel nius-
tice she might be doing in thus upbraid-
ing Frank 5 innocent wife.
Frank came in from his walk later on
His manner, Nellie thought, was strange
ly cold. Was he already repenting the
rash step he had taken? The thought
never crossed his mind that his mother
had seen his wife He believed that she
no. l.n b,. h. -,
him, and would 90 back to London at
once.
Nellie kept her secret and Frank kept
his. Both We're silent and absorbed at
dinner; but Frank was glad to be quiet,
and took no notice of Nellic's sudden Sc
robustness.
That evening they had secured seats for
a gala performance at one of the theatres.
They went. but Frank was i'll Mt ease and
could not fix his mind on the stage At
ter the first act he got up and took his
hat. II shall 90 and smoke cigarette
outside" he sail; If shan't be long"
He strolled away from the theatre,
hardly knowing whittier he went. He
was worried. and it did him good To saun-
ter along and smoke.
Presently he remembered what he was
doing.
by Jove must 90 back. - he thought.
Nellie will be getting nervous
He had been sauntering some twenty
minutes, and had got some distance from
the theatre. As he went back some peo-
pie passed him running. and men. women
and BOYS began To pour out of the streets,
all hurrving and shouting.
He wondered what could be the matter.
10 L
speak in English.
What is ?" he asked.
The theatres on fire. was the an
swer.
Great God, His wife was in the theatre
alone-unprotected
He ran like a mailman. Hundreds were
running with him. and the streets were
choked with people He fought his way
nearer and nearer; he could see the flames
shooting up into the sky; he could hear
the hoarse roar of the multitude. the
screams of women. and the shouts of the
soldiers and the police. The great build
ing was a mass of flame. The cry ran
round that hundreds were in the building
unable TO escape.
My wife, he cried Let me through,
My wife is there. -
nut lHt tftNu itIctu Nun OtCk. lie
gave one mad, wild plunge to break down
the human wall. and then his strength
failed him. There was surge back
wards as the mounted soldiers drove the
people out of the way of the officials who
were shrieking and gesticulating and raw
ing. and doing very little else; and in
that surge Frank Redgrave was swept
down.
He felt dozen heavy heels striking and
bruising his PROSTATE body, and then he
felt no more.
Now. then. move on there ~
The big policeman who bent over some
thing dark huddled up in corner of one
of the resources OF Waterloo Bridge.
spoke firmly but not unkindlv.
1t was Christmas night. and the guar
dian of the peace, who had only come on
duty at ten. passed a remarkably pleasant
day in the bosom of his family. The spirit
of the season of good will and good cheer
was upon him.
Come. missus." he said. giving the
bundle another shake; Its getting late.
you; come. get away home
The bundle moved. A white, haccard
face-the face, of a woman still Young.
and with the traces of hasutv NO, al,l;.ar