Middletown transcript., 1883-01-19

;
DER her face, then the old scorn bla-
zoned there.
AT least, he understands me now, :"
she murmured !" but, for a plebeian,
he did it WE'LL"
Rank for money. 1t had been a fair
exchange, the world decreed and many
a house, hitherto an unknown land to
the young inheritor Of his fathers for
tune and the great workshops which
covered acres of space in the very heart
of the great city, now welcomed him
to its fetes and its tables. Fair women
smiled upon him and men who once
would have turned their backs, listened
to his opinions with attention which
grew into respect.
If the young countess had expected
to be ashamed Of her husband, the ex-
pectation was destined to disappoint-
ment. On every side she heard the
praise, and the frown vanished from
her brow and the scorn from her lip.
Never did he fail in courtesy toward
her never did he express a wish left
unfulflled. A check-book, with blank
checks signed by his signature, to be
filled up as she wished, lay upon her
toilet-table. Hitherto her life had been
one of almost penury, spite of her ex-
alted rank. A marriage de convenance
had been the sole resort left her, and
she had unhesitatingly availed herself
of it. Her beauty, unrivaled even with
it's old shabby setting, was now en-
hanced by exquisite toilets and price
less jewels. She had all that her fond
est dreams had pictured, yet day by
day restless, unsatisfed longing was
gnawing at her heart, and she looked
about in vain for the unknown some
thing which should satisfy it. Once,
as she and her husband were driving
home together from some brilliant fete,
remembering some remarks concerning
him which had reached her ear, she
glanced toward him.
"A wonderfully handsome man,"
woman in high rank had said, and his
wife was compelled to confirm the ver-
dict.
Wonderfully handsome, indeed, but |
how white he looked, and a wan, weary
expression was in his eyes and about |
his mouth.
"Carl, are you not well 20 she said,
and laid her gloved hand on his arm.
He shivered at her touch, and drew
himself hastily away. At that moment
the carriage stopped, and the footman
threw open the door, For the first
time he pefmitted the man to assist his
wife to alight, he following her up the
stairs and disappearing in his rooms.
She mounted the steps slowly, and
when within her own apartments she
stood still.
"He has learned to hate me-" she
said to herself" to hate me, and I''-
The rest of the sentence was left un-
finished
There was great excitement in the
town. The men belonging to Carl
Sigmund's factories had struck for
higher wages, and he had refused their
demands. 1t was principle of right
with him. He was both just and gen.
erous in the prices paid them, and he
determined not to be coerced into a
step his judgment told him was but the
first toward proving his workmen, not
himself, might hold the mastery.
The immense buildings were closed
the heavy looms were still the drink
ing places throughout the city were
constantly filled with sullen men, who
had already lost what the advance
would gain them in a year. Days
merged into weeks, and sullenness
found voice, and voice merged into
threats, and the threats directed them
selves against one man, the master of
the works.
Its all very well for him to ride in
his carriage while we starve," they
said. "Let him look to himself Hun
CRY men are desperate" /"
At last these threats reached his ear.
For the first time since that memorable
day, almost a year before, he presented
himself at his wife's apartments. AS
voice, in answer to his knock, bade him
enter, he opened the door. By strange
coincidence, she was standing in the
same spot, but a deep crimson flush
mounted to her forehead and betrayed
her surprise at this most unlooked-for
visit. She stepped forward to meet
him, but paused. He was the calm,
possessed one of the two.
" would apologize for my intru-
sion,' he said, I" but that when make
known its object you will understand
its necessity. l hear this morning that |
the men are banding themselves into
rioters. My house will be the first |
point of attack. | deem it best that |
you should send your jewels and valu-
ables to the bank. and seek some place
of safety with any Of your friends
whom you may prefer"
And you 2''
3" 1 shall remain here"
But there is danger"
"True; but no man hitherto, |
think, has suspected me of cowardice,
and as my post is here, here will re-
main. 1 shall take all measures for
my safety, then meet whatever comes.
In case of the worst-and doubtless at
this iuncture my life is threatened-I
have left all my affairs in shape, and
need only assure you, madame, that my
wife's future has been my first con-
Germ ~