The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-06-10

4 yea,vus, auu luIs MSS tue reason:
His friend, Paul Mortimer, was ever
(at her side. More than once Charley
had found them ENJOYING a quiet tete.a.
te,e, and 60 engrossed iu each other thai
they scarcely observed his approach.
So the tiny spark grew into afiams
and Increased, and spread, and threaten
ed to devsstate the young mans lite.
i Paul Mortimer, dark.eyed, graceful
10 man OF the world aud possessed ol
considerable wealth, was q dangerous
companion for any wife whose heart wa.
not anchored safely in home and bel
husbands love. aEs5 8 -
He was fascinating and we'll read and
had Travelled extensively and knew books
and art - and halt the women, foolish
ereatures. were breaking their hearts
about him. - ae;fsFz
But he seemed TO prefer the society ol
the Stewards, and the young husband at
length began to complain bitterly, in bis
heart, that this man had come 10 monop-
oize the society OF his wife :,
Blu, only in bis heart did he utter the
complaint. aAh, there was his mistake.
Had be gonestraukly to bis wife aid in q
kind and ,enderly way told her the truth,
all his after suffering lnight have been
avoided. There should he no conceal
ment bet ween man and wife.
Mrs Dallas was to give reception
Mrs. Dallas was a leader in the aris.o-
Gratis society ia which the Stewards NOV.
ed and on the day. upon which the invi-
ta,ions were received Paul Mortimer
dropped in upon the married pair. *
They lived in perfect gem Of cot
|tage, all bay windows and balconies, In
the midst Of sloping, green, velvet.like
lawn, dotted with gay flower beds, and
here and there statute cleaning white
ly.
"SbalI you he up at the recep eption to-
night, Stewart I" queried Mortimer.
Charlie, lounging idly upon q sofa with
Q cigar in his mouth, elevated bis eye.
brows slightly.
"If my wife goes, OF course" be re-
sponded ersvely.
s.Msy make one OF your party ?"
continued Mortimer eagerly.
ITO be sure" chimed in Marguerite :.
1--WE shall be pleased shall We rot, Char
lie ?"
So what could Charlie Stewart do bit
echo bis wife's invi.ation3
When Mortimer arose to take bis de-
parture Mrs. Stewart Hu,tered from the
room for 4 moment, aud Just as he was
about to leave the hous. the jealous eyes
OF. her husband saw distinctly that she
slipped letter into Paul Mortimer's
hand. isSig r,-.l .sss -
He siifed q grosn and clenched bis
hands in silent agony, aud for an Instant
he almost hated his wife. a7s~~
She. sweet, cool, smiling, came to his
side. s,,s ssea s,.tp,sN
.Charlie,"s she began coaxingly, 'let
Us give reception7 I particularly de.
sire it, and would like to appoint the
night tollo wing tas affair ! ~ Mrs; Dal-
As you like,s De retdrned m rnoodily
closing his eyes wearily ss though he
had no more to say.
But the demon Of jealous mistrust was
in bis heart. and at that moment I think
Charley Stewart could have killed this
man who had hitherto been his dearest
friend. For be felt convincei that the
engagement bad been prearranged, and
all tended to one 70, sl denouement
Going TO Mrs Dallss reception only
added fuel to the fame Of Charles Stew.
arts jealousy, and furnished him some
more apparently tangible ground for it.
Entering the conservatory late 10 the
evening he came upon his wife standing
beside q iea,hery palm tree, and at her
aide, pale and anxious, Paul Mortimer.
He Was gazing into her face, his dark,
handsome eyes foil OF apparent concern ;
her face Was raised with look Of eager
interest. q rsetty, pink 6usa upon the
rounded cheeks, aud her soft eyes shin
| ing like stars. 80 -
You will consent p Paul was saying
in q hushed, earnest voice; sit shall be
Tomorrow night, then, after therecep-
lion is over. Remember, the happiness
of ell my future life rests upon your de.
cision."
Charlie Stewart caught bis breath in
sgony; q cold perspira,ion streamed
from his clsmmy brow; be clutched
wildly st his heat as though to tear it
from his breast; for he felt that his hon.
or--his life itself, hung upon her answer
And OF last that answer came, quiet,
grave, decided: ~fea '--s- sss-ss
81 WILL" 2. s-s7sT
Repressing the ansuished' cry upon
his lips the young husband left. He
knew the worst now. His wife Was false
10 him--false, false!
| A demon tongue seemed to whisper
the word over and over tc his tortured
heart; his last hope in life was gone.
It all seemed unreal and dream like. TO
him; perhaps it was irightful vision
from which be would soon awake, and,
thank God, It had been only o dream.
Alb! no! it was no vision, no dread
ful fancy conjured up from his imagina'
tion; for there she was now coming
from the conservatory wbithe. she had
gone TO meet her lover; she. Marquette
Stewart, whom be had believed as pure
as q pearl. = - s7EsFsss
4 He crouched in deserted corner OF
one Of the great rooms and his eyes fol
lowed her slight, graceful figure with 6
hungry stare. How very lovely she was
No wonder men thought her peerless.
4 Her trailing dress OF pale pink crepe
was iooped with creamy white roses