Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-12
monster! Terrible misfortune! And when you
left him, Mr.. Tilbury. how was he1 win he sur

ieit HUI MT. iHoufy. row was net Will he sur
vive?" ss.f.. 1870
A new light seemed to break in upon Mr.. Bill
bury. Did his wife want him to survivor He
felt by no means sure oft.
at is impossible to say with certainty he
said; s'but you must hope for the best. Let me
beg of you, my dear Mrs Bilbury, to keep up
your spirits" -. :. =.
"Oh, Mr.. Tilbury, I don't see why should be
miserable. There is very pleasant society down
here at Richm0nd and you know, there are as
good fish In the sea as ever came out OF TT,
Toms worst suspicious were by this time
more than confirmed. 1.-THE heartless wonian!.
he thought "This is how she receives the
news OF my being mangled and disfgured."
But still, unwilling to give mp hope, he con-
tinued aloud: "Poor fellow! l assure you that
IN his dellrium your name was very often on his
lips"
"!ndeed! Then he had not quite forgotten
me-"
Forgotten your" repeated Tom, his feel
"Oh, no! think that it is the lot Of but few
women to have husband 80 utterly devoted to
her."
"And of but few men to have wife''-
$50 charming" said Mr.. BilburY, finishingthe
"Oh, Mr.. FIlbury! But excuse me- OF course
YOU will stay to luncheon. Do; to please me!
You know that q woman hates solitude little
less than smallpox. One moment. l will Just
60 9,s and give the necessary orders" And Mrs.
Swell. this is awful" reflected her husband
as soon as he was left alone. 81 She doesn't
recognize me, and apparently she doesn't seem
to care TOR me much. She reminds me that there
are as good fish in the sea as ever came out Of
it. That, / suppose, means that If would only
die and liberate her. she would promptly marry
some one else. A nice instance of the faithless-
ness Of women! Perhaps should do well to
leave her at once, and never let her know the
truth; but can't do that. love her still; IN
deed. I'm afraid love her more than ever did
| No; will see this affair to the end II she's
unfathful will find her out, and then" S
His meditatiOns were cut short by the return
OF his wife, who informed him that she had or
dered some luncheon, and that he must mean
while do his best to amuse her. as there was no
one else In the house except the servants. This
style Of conversation made Tom more and more
reckless; and at once he launched out into an
account OF an imaginary moonlight picnic at
Alden, where-so let 1t appear-he had broken
| the hearts of several charming girls, and upon
| the whole had behaved In highly reprehensible
manner.
Mrs Bilbury. ~ wish had been therei Some
times we have very pleasant evenings here OF
course. know every ono in the neighb0rhood !;
and, as married woman, ask whom like to
my house. You must come one night, Mr.. TIL
bury and sup with US afterward."
By this time Tom was perfectly frantic ssTm
afraid shan't be here for long" he said Bit
terly. II am going abroad. Icannot rest any
Wher0."
You are worried, ! see" said Mrs. Bilbury.
II can sympathize with YOU"
Eyes, family matters and disappointments,
you know"
"Disappointmentsl But you are young; and,
II you Win excuse me, not bad looking. Per-
the young ladies at Aden."
"Oh, no." he replied. "And. to tell the truth.
am doubtful whether any woman would be
worth worrying about"
Iso
SMILE perhaps you expect too much from
women"
81 expect sympathy, fidelity and considera-
tion, answered Mr.. Bilbury gravely.
:. But, let me ask you, do you yourself indulge
fear. However. I hope that you do not believe
that women are bad as q rule"
"Well, know to my cost that some ere bad.
Yes, some even betray their husbands"
And In such cases I'm afraid that the hns-
Il don't think So" said Tom, CURLY. aalis@
but you are worrying yourself. see al
though you try to affect indifference. What is
worrying myself Not bit!" cried Mr.. Bill
II am glad to hear you say So" returned
his wife, 81 don't worry myself. Cory suppers
.. the probable death Of your husband"
"Oh, | am philosophical We only lived To-
gether for two days; we only knew each other
for q few weeks. What am to him? What Is
he to me? Life Is still before me-"
THAT Is rather plain speaking" thought
Tom. 81 wonder whether she would like to get
little"
-.Ah!" he said aloud, s.you have happiness
within your grasp and you can make another
happy It is not every man who is 90 fortunate
as to meet with woman like you. Now, / con-
Tess that have been unfortunate fn my expert
ence. But If thought that ttmight hope for
your sympathy"-
'snrely, Mr. Tilbury. 1t would be unwomanly
Of me to refuse It."
Tom drew his chair nearer to that OF his wife,
and continued: "Oh, If might hope for your
sympathy. and look for yonr regard and pity,
my dear Mrs. Bilbary, life, assure you would
soon assume new complexion to my eyes. Let
US be plain. Can you not make me happy, and
bestow your sympathy, your love, and your pity
upon one who will value such gifts at their true
WORTH" qss,.t'l Ie,l'aal.
Mrs Bilbury, evidently agitated. rose.
Really" she exclaimed, 81 was not prepared
for all this. feel the need OF. love, love such
as yours; but" And she buried her face in
her hands.
"This," thought Mr.. Bnbury to himself. "is
| my faithful and devoted wife!" yet he was una
BILE to refrain from seating himself beside Lydia
and putting his arm round her waist. "Dear
Mrs. Bilbnry," he said, 81 love you! Do you,
can you, love mo 2"
on0 Soso @ sVohCciy pcIcCltiUlo gesture Oh as
sent, and Tom, now thoroughly convinced Of
his wife's untrustworthiness. sprang up and
confronted her. s -3..sI,,s. : ssss.,.,
mrs. Bilbury," he said, what would your
hint" -. -
She looked up and held out her hands implor-
ingly.
"You are vicious woman!" he continued, un-
relentingly.
"rhen why, just now, did you ask for my
love7" she demanded
Because wanted to assure myself that you
were Is vicious and worthless as now know
you to be. As for loving you4 despise yonI
Ali fyOu were only good womani" And he
approached her and took her by the hand For
an instant he stood thus; then he raised the
hand and kissed it, and finally he kissed his wife
on the cheek.
"Are you going, Mr. Tilbury2" she asked
Eyes; had better go it is for the best. We
could not be happy. Go0d-bye" He kissed her
again, and then moved slowly away to the door,
where he stood, painfully regarding her.
"Good-bye!" she echoed. sBut," she con-
tinued, in another voice, s'Tom!"
.'Tom!" repeated Mr.. Bilbury, starting and
coloring. who told you my name was TOMB"
lyon did, you foolish fellow, about two years
ago."