The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-10-12
John Merrivale's Wife.
CHAPTER I.

ChAI LEX l..
1t was o'clock in the morning, ant
John Mcrrivale still sat before the Ii
brary fire, alert and anxious. Who T.
ever the sound of approaching whe Is
was heard he held his breath till they
passed, and then almost breathlessly
waited for others to draw near. Most
men would have eased their anxiety by
pacing the floor or looking out of the
window; but John Merrivale was
too much ashamed Of his nervousness
to even admit it to himself. He had
entered his house at II o'clock to find
his wife away. She had not spoken to
hlm OF any engagement or intention of
spending the evening from home. Mr..
Merrivale did not ignore the fact of
hard words the morning previous. He
had told his wife that he should not be
home till late that night. She had
Wept and he had called her baby and
a simpleton,
1t seemed to him, as he looked over
the two years of his life as a husband.
that his wife had wept every day since
they were married. OF course She had
no cause for tears. A ghost of a smile
played around his stern but handsome
mouth as he thought of her over
weenlng fondness for himself and of
her jealousy OF every person and pur-
sun that Kept him away from her.
Now she had undoubtedly planned to
make him jealous by going to some ball
or party without his knowledge.
The sound of wheels grew less and
less frequent, and now the little clock
on the mantel struck three. This was
horrible! Ten minutes past three. and
the soft click of a latch-key was heard.
Very slowly and deliberately Mr.. Mer-
riyale rose from his chair and opened
The door leading into the hall. lie was
deadly pale, but his face was iron in its
rigidity.
A gentleman in full evening dress
had entered the house and was re-
moving his overcoat when the library
door opened
"Hallo! Jack is that you?" thenew-
conner inquired, in an off-hand manner.
Yes, it is l." Mr.. Merrivale re-
piled; "but where have you been so
late?"
"To one of the Darlington crushes,"
the young man responded, following
his companion into the library, land |
didn't know as L should ever get
back"
"It wasn't so far" Mr.. Merrivale
remarked.
"You see had two ladies to take
home, living in totally opposite direc-
tions, and out of regard for horse-flesh
l walked the last mile"
Clarke Denning was an old friend
and chum of John Merrivale's, and
had been his guest for several weeks.
A very natural pride, natural at least |
to John Merrivale, restrained him from |
Immediately speaking Of his wife's alb
sence. Then, too, there was something |
else. How strange that Clarke had !
not remarked upon his being up so
late. He did not usually find him in
the library at o'clock in the
Mildred had doubtless made
a confidant of Clarke and he had felt
1T his duty to respect her communica-
tion. This was of course disloyalty to
him.
For a moment there was silence be-
tween the men, when Clarke said, sud-
denly:
"I'm going to bed, Jack"
eyes, presently" Mr.. Merrivale re-
piled, in curious tone, "but first L
should like to ask you if you know any
hing of Mildred?"
"Mildredr
There was surprise enough in Mr.
)enning's tone, but his face was Grim
on and his eyes did not readily meet ,
lis friends.
Eyes, Mildred" Mr.. MerrivaIe re- '
ponded. "She has not been home TO-
light" {
"When did she go out ?"
This was practical question that {
lad not occurred to Mr.. Merrivale. He S
lad been so sure of his wife's motive in S
'oing away that he had not thought I
f inquiring into details. S
81 don't know when she left the
ouse; only know that she is not here a
ow, and that is quite enough" he re- b
lied. t
Haven't you spoken to the SER
ants ?"
fThat is the last thing l should do,
Pa she tell you that we had quarreled p
lis morning, Clarke?" b
"She didn't need to tell me that. n
me look at her face was sufficient" il
Did she say anything about leav- "
lg or furnishing me, Clarke, or any II
ling of that sort ?" II
Why don't you ask me if 1 have el
IN away with your wife?" h
Clarke Denning's eyes flashed fire, as "
instinctively drew step nearer his b
)mpanion. m
4" i beg your pardon, Clarke. only Il
fought she might have poured out st
Or woes, and, perhaps, given you a tc
mt of what she intended to do.'
Jack, your wife could no more plot OF
'ainst you than she could poison you, di