The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-11-14
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Wednesday, Nov. IA, 1888.
A DOUBLE TREACHERY.
CHAPTER Xxx.
geosTISuED. !

1t was midnight. A fine snow was fall
ling fast, as Florence, buttoned up in his
overeoat, was on his way home from
club, where he had supped for the first
time for weeks. esss
His invention had been pronounced that
very day a great success, and the good
man was overjoyed that, with its aid, he
could hope to return to the firm some por-
ton of the obligations that his old MASTER
George Speeds uncle, had placed him I'M
der. His thoughts were happy, and his
step was light. He should exchange the
Richmond villa for a larger place further
away from London, for Sylvia was grow
ing tired of her toy. Then, Frank must
come home This wonderful invention Of
his would quadruple the profits of the
house, while diminishing the labors of the
operatives; and why should Frank re-
main in that unhealthy country when his
brother was living in luxury at home
remain, too, in the power of tyrannical
masters, who gave their employees a leave
of absence only to cut it short when they
pleased, without aftording any explanation
of their conduct7 For Florence had al
ways felt very sore over Franks sudden
departure, who, by his brief visit, had
revived all the affection of his elder BROTH
er. Yes, his invention once in working
OIuc4s ~ WOuiu aJt NC NIliCutt 10 iihl 5OinG
nominal employment for Frank in the
establishment.
As of yore, Florence thought only of the
happiness of those about him. Thus think
ing, he reached the corner of his own
street. A long line of carriages before
the house, the group OF coachmen shelter
ing themselves from the snow in the
neighboring porches, brought to his MEM
DRY the fact that Sylvia was giving
ball that night, from which she had gra-
ciously permitted her husband to absent
himself, on account of "that incessant
business" In the midst of his generous
plan for her happiness, the music ofthis
fete pleased him, and he felt CLEAN Of
gratifed vanity as he saw the second
story of the house blazing with light.
Shadows passed and re-passed; they
were dancing. For one moment Florence
watched the crowd through the lace cur
tains that only half shaded the windows,
and then, turning away, caught sight Of
Sylyias shadow in a small room off the
drawing-room. She was standing as if in
front OF mirror. Behind her was
smaller figure, evidently Madame Zola,
who was apparently busy repairing some
disarrangement of her dress. All this was
vague, but Florence recognized the grace
full outlines Of his wife's figure.
On the lower floor all was dark, with
the exception of the glimmer of night
light in bedroom. As the baby had not
been very well, Florence was startled,
and, immediately remembering Mrs.
Georges strange agitation, turned back at
once to find Tom, and discover from him
If anything was wrong
The gardeners lodge was full. for the
eoaehmen had crowded round Toms fire
to smoke and warm themselves. 3 ai
as the little girl i'll ~ asked Florence
mo, sir, il is not the child; ii is Mr..
George. lie was taken i'll when he came
home this evening. l fetched the Doctor
but he said there was nothing to be done,
and nothing needed, except rest and
quietn
Aud, as Florence went ont and closed
tile door behind him. Tom added with a
grimace: s5.zz*
"They arc not quite so merry DOWN
stairs as mp abover
When young Speed, ON returning home
that evening, saw his wife, he knew ut
once by her face that something had hap
pened. The idea that Annie had discov-
cred his faithlessness did not occur 10
him, so accustomed had he become TO his
successful treachery. Annie spoke only
of the Onklands. ff
II could do nothing with my grandfath-
en-" she said sadly. s
George grew frightfully pale.
Il am ruined--I am ruinedw she said
over and over again.
His sleeplcss nights, his anxiety OF
mind, and a terrible scene that he had had
with Sylvia, who persisted in giving this
ball at this time, this unexpected refusal
on the part of Mr.. Gray. all combined to
PROSTATE him. He had u fiightful nerv-
GUS attack, and Annie gently and compass
sionately persuaded him TO go to bed, and
installed herself at his side. She tried to
speak to him as usual, but her voice
lacked its wonted tenderness. The very
way in which she arranged his pillows.
and poured cut his medicine. betrayed .
change, a coldness, that her husband felt.
81 have ruined you," said George, more
than once, as if to disturb this GOODNESS,
which he felt keenly. She only replied by
gesture, which seemed to say, THAT is
trifle." Ne
At last he fell asleep, and she sat near.
watching him. at is my duty" she said
Her duty There she sat hour after hour,
by the side Of the being whom che had so
blindly worshipped.
The ball above had begun, and the cell
ing was shaken by the rapid steps Of the
dancers, and the half-sad, half-merry
the ears of the melancholy wife below.
Annie was buried in Thought. She knew
that the weary logic Of life was immuta-
BILE. She did not ask herself why this
man had so deceived her, nor yet why
for mere caprice he had thrown away
happiness and honor. Sufficient for her
was the fact that he had done 80. 1t was
not the past that occupied her thoughts;
1t was the future.
A new life, dark and severe, full Of pri-
walton and toll, slowly unrolled itself be-
fore her heavy eyesj but, strangely
enough, this future did not tcrrify her.
What a task would be hers, the care Of
three children; her mother. her child and
her husband; for both mother and hus-
band were children. The longer she
dwet on the responsibilities that would be
hers the less she thought of her own sor-
rows, and the better she understood the
full meaning Of the word sacrifice; word
so vague from indifferent lips, so full of
solemnity when it becomes the rule OF life.
These were poor Annie's reflections in
that dimly-lighted room, whose single
taper, like spark fallen from the bril-
liant chandelier above, had attracted Flor
cnce's attention. Reassured by Toms
words, he determined TO steal quietly into
the house, and avoiding his guests, go TO
bed and sleep, if possible. TO do this he
was obliged to enter by his office, to make
use of private staircase. He passed
through two or three of the large rooms.
The pale moon, now occasionally emerg-
ing from the clouds, shone titfnlly through
the unsha,ied windows. A strong smell
of oil and varnish fingered there, and the
huge rolls of paper cleaned white like
shrouded ghosts. VIZ kf4 IN
Suddenly he caught sight of ray OF
light under the door of the cashiers office.
Could old Job be still at work at one
o'clock in the morningY II was very ex-
traordinary. Could burglar have eject
ed an entrance3 at this last idea Flor
ence moving with great caution, softly
opened the door, and was inclined to re-
treat as softly. A &A
Since Florence's inexplicable break with
Job, he had carefully avoided being alone
with him. His wounded pride prevented
him from asking an explanation Of the sin
gular GOODNESS that had so deeply wound
ed him. But this evening Florence was
80 har,s,v and 81 horpfnI that ha faIt lie