The National tribune., 1882-11-23
win come home to dinner with Lester, just to


the bay-wiudow behind the por'iers, and SHAH
( listen 70 every word tha- IS said
What scheners you are, Gladys-you
women" Teddy observed this as ne WIS going
away; but Mrs Floyd only laughed in great
! glee over the plot she had produced.
/ 1t was SIX o'clock when Lester came home 20
| dinner. Teddy returned with him. as ne had
I said ne would. Mrs. Floyd, having discovered
their approach, few to the bsy-wiudow, con-
cealing herself behind the heavy Persian draP-
cry that shut of the alcove from the bedroom.
/ Teddy fingered in the library. as was proper.
But Lester, after calling his wife in vain, came
upstairs TO look for her.
/ Mrs. Floyd had arranged the p0rfiorc so ss TO
alIow herself q little peep-hole, and through
this she watched him nteutIy.
He entered the room with 80 unsuspicious
air, and called her name several times. In
passing the bureau, the note caught his eye,
and he picked it up.
1t so happened that as he stood there read
ing it, his back was turned toward the window,
and Mrs. Floyd could not see his face.
But she saw him reel as though someone had
struck him deadly blow; she saw him crush
the note in his fingers and she heard low eK-
cIamation that burst unconsciously from his
lips. Theu-0h, heavens!
She never knew how it was done. 1t seemed
that this discovery of her supposed elopement,
made at time when he was already deeply
depressed had driven him to desperation. But
before she had dreamed of such a thing, he
drew pistol from his pocket, placed it di-
rectiy over his heart and fired
There was a loud report, gurgling cry from
Testers lips, and he fell to the floor.
The next instant Teddy was in the room He
had come up stairs three steps at time, and
found Gladys standing like one paralyzed; her
face as pale IS death, and her eyes wildly di-
lated.
Testers pistol had fallen beside him, and at
glance Teddy grasped the horrible truth
He sank on mis- knees at his brothers side,
and lifted his head.
Miserable woman" he cried, in q voice Of
/ horror. You have murdered your husband"
His words seemed to breal, the spell that
| bound Gladys. Her hands sank nerveIess at her
sides; moan escaped her pallid lips; aud with
the bitter cry: "Oh, my God!" sne sank in
sensible at Teddy's feet.
When she opened her eyes again, she was
lying on the bed. There was q dim light in the
room and standing by the window the figure
Of man.
AIrs. Floyd raised herself, with heart on
which the weight of the whole world seemed
resting The horrible truth flashed upon her
| recollection, and pierced her like thousand
arrows.
Then, in tho dim light, she saw tho figure
turn toward her. 1t was not Teddy, as sho had
supposed; bUt-oh, merciful heaveu-it was
Lesterl
cry of agony burst from her lips.
"Oh, my God." she cried "Alrsady-Al-
ready he has come back to haunt me-"
In passion of grief and horror, she buried
her face in the pillows; and for few moments
she was wholly inssnsible to the light touch
that fell upon her shoulder.
But at the words that were whispered in her
ear, she started up wildly.
Lester was standing beside her; and the
next moment he seated himself on the edge of
the bed.
Gladys my darling" he murmured, - am
not dead, Lock at me-"
:" You are dead" she cried, passionately. az
killed you-God pity me- But did not mean
to- did not mean to-"
Little wife," he whispered, gently "touch
me-feol my hands-let me kiss you. I am
here-real, palpable, in the flesh. You hear
my voice, and tell you, Gladys, I am alive"
You are dead" she answered, wildly. "I
know it. killed you-you, my husband whom
I loved better than my own life-oh, my God :"
Darling" he said, gathering her up in his
arms, do you feel my embrace? Do You feel
nay kisses? Do you hear me say love your"
"Yes," she answered, in dazed way, at last,
putting her hand to her head, % yes, doo
Listen to me, Gladys" he continued, turn
ing up the gas brightly. "This tragedy was
all a farce. l did not shoot myself, dear See!
! am not even wounded; for, Gladys the pistol
contained nothing but powder. was paying
you in your own coin, you see. knew all the
time that the note was deception. Teddy
told me all about it."
Slowly the facts presented themselves to her
understanding, and with cry of hysterical
Joy she flung her arms about Lester, her hus-
band, alive and unhurt, and sobbed wildly.
Darling" she murmured, brokenly, "for-
give me, forgive me-"
I'VE will mutually forgive, little wife" he
answered, tenderly. Henceforth, will try
ami not be so jealous, aud yOu--
81 wiz hold your feelings sacred, Lester"
she said, solemnly. "If at any time you should
be jealous, it will be without reason; but, even
then, the mere fact that you are so shall govern
my conduct"
"That is more than enough" he said, sealing
the compact with kiss. - / am wholly salts
fed, now and forever"
And I, too" she answered. "Oh Lester,
thought I had lost you"
Her arms We're about his neck, and she clung
to him pgssionNtely. Looking into her sweet
devoted face, Lester Floyd thought and swore
that he would never doubt her again.
lie kept his oath right faithfully, too; for
his "never" was more than Il hardly ever"
But, after ALL what q scamp Teddy was for
telling. His excuse now is that it cured
Gladys of even the suspicion Of flirting
shes as charming as ever" he says to HIM
self, only not quite so coquettish in manner"
And then ne huns to himself:
Beware, beware. ."-Peters0n'5
New York Graphol
i O'DoEo'an Eo>saS opinion.