Morris tribune., 1884-04-16

rrnesp, pe1ore IL can 90 neearul TO perform
INV promise. But you might let me see her.
If YOU find her in the gallery Tomorrow, you
might bring her here
Mrs, Lsmore's request met with no re-
fusal. Ernest was only at loss to know how
to grant it.
aYou tell me she is copyist OF pictures"
lis wife reminded him. "She will be inter-
ested in hearing Of the portfolio OF drawings
by the great French artists which bought
for YOU in Paris Ask her to come and see
them, and to tell you if she can make some
| copies. And say, if you like, that shall be
glad to become acquainted with her.
He felt her heart beating fast on his
| bosom. In the fear that she might lose all
control over herself he tried to relieve her by
| sneakine lightly. "What an invention yours
isln he said. "if my wife ever tries to de-
ceiye me l shall be a mere child in her
| hands"
She rose abruptly from the sofa-kissed
him on the forehead-and said wildly, u
shall be better in bed" Before he could
move or speak, she had left him.
The next morning he knocked at the door
Of his wife's ROOM and asked how she had
passed the night
- nave Slept pdulJ, ohio oiAS">NS
must beg YOU to excuse my absence at break
fast-time." She called him back as he was
about to withdraw. Remember" she said,
"when you return from the gallery to-day
expect that you will not return alone"
Three hours later he was at home again
The young lady's services rs a copyist were
at his disposal; she had returned with him to
look at the drawings.
The sitting-r room was empty when they en-
tered it. He rang for his wifes maitland
was informed that Mrs. Lismore had gone
out. Refusing to believe the woman, he went
to his wife,s apartments. She was not to be
found.
When he returned to the sitting-room, the
Young lady was not unnaturally offended.
He could make allowances for her being a
little out of temper at the slight that had
been put on her; but he was inexpresslbly
Disconnected by the manner-almost the
coarse manner-in which she expressed her,
self.
81 have been talking to your wife's maid
while you have been away" she said. u
find you have married an old lady for her
money. She is jealous of me, of courseT
"Let me beg you to alter your opinion, he
answered. "You are wronging my wife; she is
incapable of any such feeling you attribute
to her,"
The young lady laughed. "At any rate,
YOU are a good husband" she said, satir1-
cally. Suppose you own the truth
Wouldn't you like her better if she was
young and pretty like me?"
He was not merely surprised he was dis
gusted. Her beauty had SO completely fas'
cinated him when he first saw her that the
idea of associating any want of refinement
and good breeding with such charming
creature never entered his mind. The dis
enchantment of him was already SO COM
plete that he was even disagreeably al
fected by the tone of her voice; it was al
most as repellent to him as the exhibition OF
unrestrained bad temper which she seemed
perfectly careless to conceal.
II confess you surprise me-" he said,
coldly.
The reply produced no effect on her. On
the contrary, she became more lnSolenG than
ever.
IT have fertile fancy" she went on, "and
your absurd way of taking joke only en-
courages me. Suppose you could transform
this sour old wife of yours, who has insulted
me, into the sweetest young creature that
ever lived by only holding up your finger
wouldn't you do it,"
This passed the limits of his endurance. II
have no WISH" he said, ito forget the consid-
Grafton which is due to woman. have
but one alternatives; must leave the room.
She ran to the door as he spoke and placed
herself in the way of his going out.
He signed to her to let him pass.
She suddenly threw her arms around bis
neck, kissing him passionately, and whis-
| 1, how; ,,c To ErnaSt
forgive me! Could I have asked you to
marry me for my money, if had not taken
refuge in disguise~
When he had sufficiently recovered tc
think he put her back from him. "Is there
an end to the deception now!" he asked
sternly, Gam I to trust you in your new
character?e
"You are not to be harder on me than de-
serve," she answered gently. "Did you eve,
hear of an actress named Miss Max!"
He began to understand her. "Forgive me
if spoke harshly," he said. "You put me tt
severe trial"
: She burst into tears. "Love," she muir
INJURED, lis my only excuse"
} From that moment she had won her par
don. He took her hand and made her sit by
: him.
: EYES," he said, have heard of Miss Ma,
and of her wonderful powers of personatiol
5 and have always regretted not having
l seen her while she was on the stage"
, "Did you hear anything more Of her
! Ernestf%
r eyes, I heard that she was a pattern O
l modesty and good conduct, and that she CAV
! up her profession at the height of her success
7 to marry an old man."
evil you come with me to my room~ sh
asked II have something there which wis
to show you"
It was the copy Of her husbands will.
8 "Read the lines, Ernest, which begin at tn
top Of the page. Let my dead husband spea
! for me-"
Q The lines ran thus:
i "My motive in marrying Miss Max must b
stated in this place, in justice to her-and,
;; will venture to add, in justice to myself.
o felt the sincerest sympathy for her position
b She was without father, mother, or friends
q one of the poor, forsaken children whom th
s mercy of the Founding hospital provide
o with home. Her after life on the STAG
s was the life of a virtuous woman; persecute
n by profigates; insulted by some of the base
, creatures associated with her, to whom sh
was an object Of envy, offered her HON
q and the protection of a father-on the onl
Q terms which the world would recogniz
= as worthy of us. My experience of her sine
IS our marriage has been the exper
ence Of unvarying goodness, swee
i ness, and sound sense. She has behaved {
d nobly, in trying position, that wish hi
,, (even in this life to have her reward. 81
i treat her to make aseoond choice in marriag
which shall not be mere form. firmly b
a leye that she will choose well and wisely
il that she will make the happiness Of ma
r who is worthy of her-and that, as wife an
10 mother, she will set an example Of inest
mable value in the social sphere that she o
" cupies In proof of the heartfelt sincerit
l. with which pay my tribute to her virtue
E I add to this my will the clause that fo
IT lows"
d With the clause that followed Ernest W,
already acquainted.
p evil you now believe that I never love
till saw your face for the first timem sa
his wife. II had no experience to place n
,e on my guard against the fascination-tl
madness some people might call it-whit
a, possesseS q woman when all her heart