The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-11


 evening as calmly as if she had obeyed his every wish, feeling vesy thankful all the tirne that he vas staying at home in- stead of ofinf;cting his presence upon her. The carriage drove cif, and Humphrey Beverley re-entered the house with a strange feeling tha, a new phase in his life had begun.
 He ignored ,he truth to himself no longer he knew his vie not only did no; love him, but cared 10 more for his wishes of happiness than ahe thrush on the lawn cares for the worm ii devours He looked zf the prospect before him with an amazement of distre<s that lsft him mrte. Happiness then had failed him, nay, the very dearest hope and pur- pose of his life, and 10 thoroughfafe seemed open to him to continue On his way. A strongly loving nature vas thrown back upon itself: a proud and passionate man was'sea as naught by a hesstiess and beautiful soman, whom he loved dis ,racledl'. and m undisciplined heart had now DO guiding star.
 The episode of the ball went br. New visitors arrived At Boutwell, hall, and life went on in its accustomed channel, but all was changed for Humphrey Beverley All things, animate and inanimate, seem ed to have taken hideous turn
 Lady Griselda was enjoying the excite ment of a filtration with the geatlem an 10 whom ailusion has been made. Into the details there IS no need to enter That she was guilty at hear, has sufficiently been show, but she was too selfsnly awake to her own interests to risk her reputation seriously, although the neigh borhood indulged in whispered com men,s on the general leyity of her deport- ment. Humphreys popularity in the county, aud the high standing and char acter of L.dy Griselda's father, gave her an immunity from open disapproval, that her own beauty and charm might not have commanded. But the hour of her was not to last
 As the months rolled on, Humphrey realized 1t all, and SAW no outlet from his troubles Sometimes he became violently jealous, when stormy scenes would en- sue but oftener he was sunk in an in- tense inner despondency, of which the chief sign was scornful indifference to what went on. Though he were to dis miss the almost constant guests and re- fuse to allow his wife 10 visit. what then he knew her affections were not his. Every new vanity, every fresh adm.rer might chain her fancy for a time for him alone there never came sofening glance or lssing sFosd: and after l few mad or futile attempts to WOO her anew. Humphrey accepted his doom and rrnndad ha af ,e that useless peisistency which bodes trouble. He hunted Iecklessly, drank deeply. and was the one moody figure in he gay scenes into which he accom- panied his wife.
 Now and then he would watch her rom behind a newspaper or book, smil- ing with her admirers around, and would wonder m wearying circles of thought why every one seemed easily to please her, and only he, with a love that had outlived his respect for her, alone failed he would steal of alone to he dining room, where the portraits of his parents hung, as if seeking their ad- sise or sympathy. They were not mas erpieces of art. Mir. Beverley was in ,is red huntng-coat and other accoutre- nents of sport ostentatiously insisted on put the artist in happy moment of in- 'pira.ion had fixed on the canvas a real likeness of his wife's sweet, good face. knew now that in his own vie he had been duped by beauty un- by the graces and womanly wisdom that had sanctified that of his mother. That pictured face had in i, bought and sympathy and counsel for others: there had been harmony and happiness where that face dwelt, as he l yell knew; and best of all, she had been he priestess in her own home of that re- lgion, which now seemed banished from ,is all but pagan household. One day. | IS he gazed, his wife's heartless laugh ! 'ealed out from the drawing-room, anc 'oiees rose in testing dispute. Humphre,. eaned his forehead against the frame of | lis mothers picture and groaned, and 1 he butler who had come in, tray in hand, l 'eat nasty and noiseless retreat, sigh ng deeply over the i'll fate of the master. ! whom he had held in his arms as a baby. |
 Only one scene more.
 IL was winter and the floods were out. | sothwell hall was no. wholly shut out rom communication with the world. but he lanes that lay between it and the high oad were half under water, and travel | ng along them was neither pleasant nor | xpeditious. The Beverleys were en- aged for an evening party at house ome ten miles of, where the wedding ayeties of one of Humphreys especial fiends were being celebrated. They 'ere to stay a, this place for some days ut in the deep gloom that had settled n his spirits Humphrey could with dif- euluy rouse up to pay the visit, and but pr loyal frieraships sake would have de- lined it altogether.
 The last week had ;7een o..s 6. .s.ense reariness at the hall, the heavy rains aving kept its master and mistress close risoners, and thrown them entirely on ach others society. Who can wonder hat the storms within doors had fairly matched the raging elements without? Angry words, then sullen silence, then humphrey sitting long and late over the inc that befriended him only to be,ray. nd Lady Griselda fighting the meaerims