The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-09-26
SELECT STORY.
A WIFE's REVENGE.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND

ana pretty Ua'keJ pnaclOn SIOOu De-
fore the Rausford cottage, the spirited
little bay paving the ground restless
ly, as though impatient to be gone.
Within, Ms. Ransford stood drawing
on her driving gloves, wistful ex-
preston on her proud, dark face that
seemed quite unusual to it.
4 would 80 much like to have you
go, Norman" she was saying. "The
day is just perfect, and Redwing was
never in better spirits, as you can see,'
with glance through the window at
the impatient pony. "But | shall not
enjoy the drive alone"
sect one of your friends to 90 with
you, then," replied the gentleman, in
tone so absent and preoccupied as to
seem almost cold. "If it was not for
that imperative engagement down
street this afternoon | should 60, of
course. But business before pleasure,
you know and he bit off the End of q
fresh cigar as he consulted his watch.
"Can't you find some one else to keep
you company in your drive, Louise :"
II shall not try she answered,
bravely uppressing the piteous quiver
of her lips. '1f my husband refuses
to accompany me, l shall not ask else
where"
And, without waiting for his reply,
she hastily swept out to the waiting
phaeton.
Norman Ransford Immediately fol-
lowed to assist her into it, but when he
reached the gate she had already seat
ed herself and gathered up the reins.
The next instant, with little half nod
of goodbye to her husband, she had
driven off
"She is angry" he thought, watch
ing the airy little phaeton bowl
smoothly down the pleasant street,
"and hurt" There were tears in her
eyes just now, and Louise doesn't often
shed them. BY Jove, it Is a mean bus
mess to play the traitor to wife like
that !"
And he stood leaning over the gate,
actually forgetting to resume the cigar
whose red spark was dying out as he
held it in his hand, looking after the
wife who loved him so well, and al.
most tempted to call her back and join
her in her drive,
But it was too late now. She was
already beyond hearing. So the half
repentant husband turned back to the
house, not ill-pleased to have it so, for
the appointment that he had mentioned
was one very dear to his heart, and a
few minutes later saw him on his way
to keep it.
ooh, Norman, really thought you
were never coming!'
This was the greeting that met him
as he familiarly entered an elegant lit
tie boudoir within a stones throw of
one of the popular theatres. And the
speaker, a dark, foreign-l looking girl,
with rich red lips and great black eyes
of liquid beauty, rose from her languid
position on the sofa and threw herself
into his arms as though perfectly GER
tain of his love.
"Ah, Carita, Carita !" he murmured
passionately, folding his arms closely
about the girls little form, and press
ing his lips again and again to those
beautiful red ones held up so tempting.
ly.
Where now was that Indifference
which had chilled the heart of his low
ing and lovely wife only short half
hour ago? Gone, as it always was at
a look or touch from this enchant.
ress And what was she? Merely
dancer belonging to the theatre near
by, whose name was already smirched
with dishonor.
Yet, while Louise Ransford drove in
solitude along the beautiful country
roads, her heart swelling with the
loneliness thus forced upon her, her
husband was pleasantly passing the
time in this woman's society, smiling
at her rapid, impassioned speeches
which he often fondly checked by
closing the red lips with kiss
"Ah Norman, why should we wait
at all 2"
The dark, bewitching face was hid
den on his shoulder, and his arms
clasped the 1.-THE, yielding form, as
those seductive lips put the sudden
question.
"Will it be any easier to leave
month or a year hence than now?
And if not, why-to-day is ours. To-
morrow-ah J we know not what may
arise to separate us then"
To-day is ours !!
Norman started. Yes, Louise was
out of the way until dark, be was sure
In that time he could make what few
arrangements he cared to, and they
could easily get away on the late after
noon train.
He had not dreamed of taking this
decisive step so soon, but since be had
dreamed of it at all, as well go now as
any other time. Yes, they would go.
The early dusk had fallen over Nor
man Ransford's home. A bright fire
glowed in the open CRATE, and the
pretty little parlor, lit by that alone,
had never looked more homelike or in
viting, Mrs. Ransford entered it,
looking flushed from her drive in the
cool, crisp air, but with that wistful,
troubled expression not yet gone from
her charming face.
Almost the first thing upon which
her glance fell was a white envelope
lying upon the table. She took it up,
carelessly at first, walking over to the
CRATE to read it by the freight, but
low, smothered cry escaped her lips as
she read on to the end. 1t was a note
from her husband, cruelty brief and
business-like, informing her that he
had left home forever, and urging her
to forget him, as he was unworthy of
her love.
Mrs. Ransford sank down into
large armchair that stood before the
crate, utterly faint, and white as
snow drift, and there the servant found
her when she came in to light the
lamps.
"Don't, Mary! she exclaimed,
shudderingly, lifting her hand with
swift, shrinking gesture, as though
dreading the light. "The freight is
all | care for Don't disturb me again
this EVENING""
The Girl Wonderinply obeved. and