The Penn's Grove record., 1884-02-16
TWO PLAYERs' LOVES.

dearest feelings have received a death
blow can sob.
At his feet lies q crumpled letter,
where he had thrown it in the first
pang OF the agony it had inflicted on
him.
There Is no need to enter infinitely
into the details. 1t is the old, old
story Of mans love and Woman's incon-
stancy.
Hardly two years before Richard
Hamilton had stood before the altar by
the side of the woman he loved so wei,
and she had vowed before heaven to
Glove, honor and obey him, to be
faithful to him through good and
through evil report until death, and nov
she had broken those VOWS, and tempted
by money, had lett her husband, who
was only a struggling actor, and fled
with a rich man who Lad been attracted
by her pretty face.
For hours Hamilton sat there in his
great desoIation; then he arose and put
his sorrows from him by a mighty eff
fort. No matter how great his grief, the
public must be amused-his engagement
fulfilled. He was what is called utility
man in a touring company, and that
night he had to play a rather good low
comedy part. He remembered he had
been pleased when he first saw the cast,
feeling that ue was rising at last Ia his
profession; but now what Gid it matter?
Let HIM rise or fall. who would care?
He played that night as il he we're in
a dream. His seuses seemed dazed,
but the dark phantom of his grief
seemed to overshadow him. He had
studied the part well, however, and he
missed a enc, so the audience
were good humored, and remained silent
at what they certainly could not ap-
plaud.
The other members Of the company
had heard OF his trouble, and rallied
round him with that unselfsh kindness
found in the theatrical profession. lie
had only to play the first scene OF his
part, another gentleman insisted on
playing it for HIM, which he did fairly
well.
The "heavy man" e. e. the villain OF
all the pieces, who was, by-the-by, a
thoroughly good fellow, walked home
with Hamilton that night.
Don't grieve for her" he said.
''She's not worth it; no womap Is, -
Hamilton rested his aching head on
his arm as he leaned against the door
post. He was completely crushed, and
made no reply.
"Of course you'll get a DIVORCE
went on his friend, after a pause. ''Look
here, old fellow! Lawyers won't do the
thing for nothing, you know. Cheap
Justice is out of the question; and so
you see, we-the company, l mean
Will raise enough to begin with at any
rate, and Virgins. is going to let yon
have a benefit, and, OF course, what
little you owe US you can pay out OF
the damages you recover wherever you
like"
ono" said Hamiltcn, rousing him
self; 81 will get no divorce. Do you
think | know so little OF the world as
to believe he'd marry her If she were
free?"
"Perhaps not; but then, if divorced,
you would be free yourself"
Hamilton laughed bitterly.
81 would waste no mOneyon myself, .
he replied. II don't care whether | am
am free or not.
But still she bears your name the
name of your family. Don't let her
disgrace them further. Sever the legal
tie hat binds you, as she has sew red
all Others
you are right" said Hamilton,
eyes, / will try for a divorce"
Hamilton had no difficulty in obtain
ing a divorce; indeed the case was I'M
defended, and he might have been
awarded heavy damages, but he would
not accept the money, which seemed to
him the price of MS wife's guilt.
Ten years passed away, IN which
Richard Hamilton had raised high IL
his profession. He had studied noes
santly-more to drown his regret than
from love of his art, but fame end money
had rewarded his efforts; and when We
see him again be was touring with his
own company, and playing to large au'
dlences.
All this time lie had heard little OF
nothing Of his wife, and could only
look back upon his short married life as
upon some brief, bright dream that hao
ended in a hideous nightmare,
Lately, however, the gloom that had
~ -a.sL~I - .L;- - ,,or+,cu.
mea9uie Sanl'Lyu' M LIS va" va 10 soci.
larlS tle G1se Tneu nc was ta -
lady,
Muriel was a beauty, tall fair ano
graceful, with curling, bright brown
hair, a sweet firm mouth, and da'k.
violet blue eyes; and, better still, sh'
"as-as I"IIS g'le9 say u 1oLt;sPI
0oeS q - 81 - n'o+hor q some.
one l'Seo WIN iel IA lI IaIr = all ~.
"hat p"u teMpeio" oist ~ - ho,
counts ~eIG uut, out ~ n.ent hon
nome 'rVlol5S toneiSei, az LaiDina
Win a pLlsIV Sniie' gus
manu- ~ ~ W. uee,.0' ns.issb
S"ee.' 0"i"s0oVs 8 -~aniv a,