The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-06
CHAPTER TX.

While virtuous actions are but born TO die.
Mr.. Eyre found Madcap stretched on
sofa, looking so pale and wan that he
could only consider the consequences to
herself of her mad prank, without
troubling himself at all as to what peo-
pie might think Of the prank itself.
He thought she received him little
cOldly; but being conscious of some Of
Tense toward her of late, he did not let
this trouble him, and had more than
half won her back, when next morning
hours that he might make her apologies,
and his own excuses, to the Duchess.
Meanwhile, he said, Frank and the
children would keep her company in
the drawing-room WHITTIER he himself
had carried her, she being now much
rested, if only wrath of her usual
self, and to this Madcap eagerly as
sented; for the momentary wrong she
had done Hester lay heavily on her
soul, and she passionately desired to
send some word that would show her.
self in less mean c0lors.
"You shall 60, on one condition, she
said, as he stopped his head to her-and
half unconsciously she noticed how
gray he had lately grOwn-"that when
you come back you will grant me any
single request 1 may ask. Is that
He promised her lightly, much as
once she had promised him something,
and till now kept her word; then rode
away, and she could not even pretend
to feeling Of jealousy at his departure,
she was so sure of her undivided empire
over his heart. .e
But Frank did not come that after
noon, though Mr.. Eyre had written to
bid him, and, indeed, produced sensa-
ton in the Duchess's circle when he
said, having made his wife's apologies
and his own
lord Lowell would have ridden over
with me, but he is keeping my wife
company till I go back. You'll see him,
no doubt, by evening""
Mrs. Transome gasped, as she looked
at this so-called man of the world, who
when the Duchess had accidentally
drawn him to the conservatory, an idea,
worthy Of the brain that originated 1t,
occurred to her. " y va W 2 2
"Collusion," she said to herself; land
we are to be conveniently blind" And
a third edition of the scandal was PEN
ned and posted that very afternoon to
her gossips.
When Mr.. Eyre returned to his wife,
she reminded him of his promise. N
"What is it?" he said, his hold on her
relaxing, as somehow Hester required
to his mind. tltJltsJ '
''I want to go to her." she said, with
her arms close round his neck; "I've
forgiven Frank, but Iwant her to for
give nae!'
He started up as though an adder had
stung him, and the devils temporarily
H. 1T 1,,-ao ~ rafr
fold. So not only was he to be Hester's
slave, but Madcap must be dependent
on her good will likewise; for a moment
his courage quailed at the miserable
situation, the next he turned to his
wife, and said
ut is not fit that you should associate
with such woman-you owe some re-
spect to yourself and me-"
But Madcap, weak and unstrung,
with something of the sick chilk' S long
ing after forbidden toy, only hid her
face, crying, "You promised me; and
if see her, L must speak to her."
And so L am not sufficient to you"
he said, pausing before he, land you
long for change; even your children
don't content you, and my wishes count
for nothing"
"Have you studied miner" exclaimed
Madcap, 1eellng more anger toward him
than she had ever done before. Chester
is far nobler, better, more fit companion
for me than your friend the Duchess,
whom you forced me to VISIT
II am the best judge on that point"
said Mr.. Eyre; then abruptly changed
the conversation, and though more de-
voted to her than ever, would not suffer
her to even approach the subject with
him again. -
And, meanwhile, the county looked
upon Mr.. Eyre as a man who deliber-
ately connived at his own dishonor, and
who, for sufficient reasons, encouraged
his wife's companionship with Lord
Lowell on every possible occasion.
He had never troubled himself to ex-
plain his wife's untimely ride to Lowell,
explanations of all kinds he cordially
abhorred; and so long as he was salts
fed, it did not occur to him to think
that any one else could be otherwise.
Franks account of 1t in the nature
of things) was not believed, while Mad
cap was not even aware of the grave
misdemeanor she had committed, and IL
she had been called on to blame any