Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-09-01
blithely away to dress.

/
about her in shimmering folds, pearls
braided low in her brown hair, and a
snowy opera cloak drawn carelessly
about her shoulders-the gentleman
stately, nonchalant, wearing the air of
polish attained by foreign travel, and
devoted to his companion, whom he
seated with careful tenderness.
"Gray," said Davis, giving his COM
panion nudge, "who is that last party
that is making such a sensation?"
Gray turned carelessly and looked,
the look deepened to stare, and he
gazed blankly at the lady, who Auttered
her spangled white fan with the faintest
suggestion of smile as she turned to
her companion with remark, which
he bent his handsome head low to hear.
Fred turned scarlet, then pale, and
clutched Davis fercely by the arm.
"Why," he gasped, "it's Rosal And
who has she with herr"
II don't know" returned Davis in
differently. "Some friend, probably
sit down, Gray; don't make a fool Of
yourself"
81 will not sit down !" retorted Fred
irascibly. "Friend My wife here
with another man." And with an i'm
precation he strobe from the house
"lll go home," he muttered angrily
land see what it all means. Serves
me right for leaving her How lovely
she was! / didn't know she was hal
so beautiful. But my proud darling
at the opera with another. canno
understand it !"
A few minutes rapid walking brough
him to his home.
} Kate" he inquired, summoning tina
worthy, "where is your mistress ?"
"Sure, she went out wild foine gin
tleman soon after yez lift, and was tina
glad to see her / thought he'd neve
stop kissing her." volubly explained
the girl.
THAT will do; you can CO." sternl,
commanded Fred, and he slowly mad,
his way into the little room he had lef
an hour before, with such differen
feelings.
The light was burning brig htly, tn
papers scattered about the open book
even the lace.trimmed handkerchie
that in her haste she had dropped o
the floor, all spoke eloquently Of tn
dear little wife, and Fred groaned a
ne picked up with nervous fingers
card from the table on which writer
"Gone with handsOmer man." an
on the other side "George Curtiss."
Fred laid it down as quickly 9
though the innocent pasteboard scorcf
g ed his fingers, not noticing in his hast
] that the name was the maiden nam
of his Rosa, and falling upon the sof
!, buried his face in the pillow and moal
ed
my little love--given to another
lost to me !"
= Soon the sound of carriage whee
reached him. There was soft rust
4 across the carpetand two hands touche
him while a sweet, familiar volt
J cried,-
Poor Fred are you sick Broth,
. Geo. has come" she completed, breatI
. less, and he sat up, looking very pa
and haggard. "He took me to IL
opera; was so lonely
4 Seeing the outstretchod hand al
. twinkling eyes, Fred extended his ow
u saying
welcome home, brother Georg,
IN | must thank you for your care ov
=, Rosa in my absence"
=, "Not at all Not at all !" respond
y, George as they heartily shook hanC
81 am delighted to meet the happy f
- low who won my pet sister," and
- further allusion was made to the affa
Erred" said Rosa demurely, as tn
= entered their own apartments, sis tt
20 friend of Davis better? And"-ve
~ gravely-"how came you to attend t
W. opera ?" "a a. ''
u. Rosa !" cried Fred impulsively, a
.. catching her in his arms, "don't tel
mo How oould Won friphton mo