Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-04-13

StSQJly, anu dn angry uuSu rose 10 ner
cheeks when she overheard a remark
relating to Mrs. Shelton's old silk"
She slipped out of the gay, over
crowded parlOrs into the library, where
she found refuge in the hangings of the
bay window. She dropped into a low
seat and sat watching the streams of
gaslights hickering across the street,
now ankle deep with snow, wishing that
Mark would remember her orders and
send the carriage early. The heavy
sensuous Odors of the tropical plants
| filed the room with fragrance that al
most took her breath away, and in the
| distance the music of popular waltz
rose and fell, the soft, voluptuous ca
dence soothing her mind into calm
ness that was broken by the entrance
of two ladies, whose first words at once
chained her to her seat, and held her
in the unquestionable light of an caves
trooper.
'I was astonished to see Mrs. Mark
Shelton out tonight" said the elder of
the two ladies, whose diamonds flashed
in the gaslight.
"Why?"
"Have you not heard? Why, Mrs.
Lamar. Shelton is on the verge Of bank
ruptcy."
"Mark Shelton! Impossible He is
considered one of the staunchest mcr-
| chants in the city,"
"And was. But he has lost credit
somehow. He has been on the streets
for days trying to raise money to cancel
most of his urgent debts; and [ would
not be surprised if his wife had to give
up her stylish home before the winter
is over"
''She is nobody, anyhow. Her father
was only q soap chandler, and have
often wondered at MarkShelton's choice
in choosing her for wife," remarked
Mrs. Lamar, who had once a decided
fancy tor Mark herself.
"Soap chambers are as good as other
men, provided they are sober and re-
spectacle" returned the lady with dia-
mOnds. whose father had once been a
peanut vender, while Mrs. Lamar's
ancestors were famous for blue blood
and reckless dissipation.
81 don't pity Mrs. Shelton, though"
went on Mrs. Lamar, ignoring the elder
lady's home thrusts; 'for I expect she
is just like other women in the same sit
uation; Mark made oceans of money,
and she spent it."
Doubtless. Just give any woman
that never had anything some money to
splurge on, and see how fast she'll go
through with it," laughed the elder lady
as she glided out of the library, her rich
silks sweeping after her like purple bill
lows, while Mrs. Lamar followed her
like shadow, in her pale colored tarla-
tan robes.
Poor Alice Shelton had heard every
word, and sat perfectly still, with her
thin white fingers clasped tightly to-
gether. Every faculty Of her nature
seemed paralyzed by the intensity of her
emotions. Her honest conscientious
heart was shocked at the hypocrisy of
two other most intimate society friends,
and with the bitterness was mingled
feeling of intense pity for Mark, who
had kept all this from her ears, that she
might hear it from some uncharitable
lips. Verify, she thought, tbs world is
a vain show, and those who love it are
but moths futtering about its dazzling
pleasures, only to have their wings
singed by the cruel tongues of flame,
that leap up from envy, malice and
deceit.
"Mark shall not fall" she said, rising
up with white, determined face. Il
will show them that his wife is worthy
of him."
Needless of the gayety and warmth
around her, of the binding snow-storm
that was raging without, or the long
] l, L. L, l. l.
Austin mansion and her husbands
warehouse, she hurried UP to the dress
ing-room, and wrapping herself up in
cloak and furs went out into the storm
and bravely faced the binding sheets
Of snow that the wind dashed into her
face-a face almost as ghastly as the
snow that fell so swiftly and silently on
the half-deserted pavements. The gas
| f1ared out through murky gas lamps
with dull, sickly glare hacks and
carriages.went whirling by like sheeted
ghosts, and once in while some belated
pedestrians almost walked over her; but
Mrs. Shelton walked on, her heart too
hard and anxious to think of fear or
fatigue.
When she reached the warehouse
the clock on distant steeple was just
Ginning IL, and Mark was standing in
the dimly lighted Office, putting on his
overcoat. The porter dozed in a chair
before the stove in the outer room, and
Alice stole softly past him and stood
before her husband.
"AGcew
His eyes dilated in astonishment.
Alice dropped into a chair and looked
up at him with a glitter in her blue
eyes that held him spell-bound.
Mark, do you think Pm fool?"
Her voice had raspy ring that
startled him. He glanced at her snow
covered wraps and then made a dash
for the soaked boots peeping out from
under the edge of her bedragled silken
skirts.
sAlice !''-one boot came off with a
jerk-"what insane whim drove you
out into the street such night as this?'
He flung its mate to the furthest end OF
the room.
''Oh, Mark" Mrs. Shelton's tempora.
ry strength and courage was swiftly
vanishing, "are you going to fail ?"
Mark instantly eomprehended the