The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-05-17

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though in some way she expected to Aud
the contamination branded on its sof;
white surface. It was all unmarried d.
but She looked again, she rubbed
ber eyes and looked, the color meanwhile
fiuttering out of her cheeks, and her pale
lips quivering, as If her heart seemed to
stand still in sudden ngopy of fear, for
from the third finger was missing the
tulismanic ring.
When and whore had she lost it7 and
how could she fnd the courage to con.
Tess all to Gerald2 She rose and dressed,
revolving this problem in her mind.
At any hour her husband might re-
turn. For the first time she dreaded TO
meet him-dreaded to look into bis kind
ly, handsome eyes and read there all his
incredulous reproach, mingled, perhaps,
with scorn and anger.
The day worn on. Her friend, Mrs.
Martin, ran in to scold her for her de-
sertiop; but her pale face and trembling
tones made good her plea of sudden ILL
ness,
at nightfall Gerald arrived. She
threw herself into his arms in burst OF
nervous weeping; but when he wonder
ingly asked its cause, her courage failed
her.
Why was it she never imagined that be
might look stern uutil to-day?
A week passed, when one evening, sit
ting in the twilight, step sounded
close beside. She looked up to discover
the count.
"Pardonl' he began, in answer to her
indignant, questioning look, "Wpl
must you be so cruel? AIuy l MT now
see your"
"Sr, command you TO leave me. l
am now under the protection Of my own
roof"
He was about 10 answer when latcl.
key was heard inserted in the outside
door
In an instant he had sprung into some
place OF conceaiment, but the fact that
lie was near lent TO the young wife
sudden courage born OF the moments
desperation. Her husband, entering,
approached her, but she motiuned him
back.
Gerald" she said, Il have a bitter
confession to make. 1t is fitting you
should hear it now."
He listened, with arms folded across
his breast. while she told him all the
story of that fated hight.
"And is this all2" he questioned bit
terly, when she paused.
mo, not ALL" she continued, raising
her voice. My confession has another
witness, who has forced his hated pres
ence again upon me, The Count Bel
zoni is here again, Gerald.
AS she spoke she drew aside the cur
tain, bnt the form she expected to DIS
close was gone. the open window attest
ing to its flight.
Silently the husband drew a paper
from his pocket and showed her para
graph offering reward for the arrest of
thief and swindler known as the Count
Belzoni.
My darling" he said, "my little wife
has learned lesson she will never for
get. 1 have known this stony all the
time but have waited until you came to
tell it to me- / returned the night Of
the ball to take you with me, when l
fouhd you had gone, Imagine what l
suffered and my added suffering when,
arriving at the scene f ell Joyment, ,whe-e
had followed you. discovered who
was your companion. l stood near and
heard the words he addressed to YOU
heard with joyful heart your answer;
saw you wrench your hands from bis
hold, and also saw what you did not, tie
sparkle Of the ring he drew from your
finger. Poor little girl watched you
hasten through the crowd, and knew
that you had already met your bitterest
punishment. 1t has been through my
Efforts that the count has been traced
aud exposed. Only this morning I re-
ceived your ring from the man With
whom he had pledged it as security.
Ouce more l place it on your fingrr.
But remember, daillng. it is only the
outward charm. wile's true talisman
is her husbands houor."