The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-02-20

that she scarce knows herself there
/ in. Death lays his had upon her
and on the other side the awful
mystery of life presses close. One
moment she is filled with absurd
little delights and tremors at the
touch of laces and soft hannels, and
the next she feels herself alone, in
the presence of God, the first woman
whom he had hidden to become the
mother of a living soul. This un
known land was an utter blank to
Lesley. There was certain vycuity
in her face, which limited that she
needed an object in life.
With all his equable cheerfulness
her husband had shrewd eyes: but
he was anxious to know if Others
saw deeper than he could do:
Lesley locks pale and languid,
he once said to his sister. "DO you
thlak she needs a tenic?'
No. But even the grand Lama
would be bored by perpetual wor
ship" shortly replied Mrs. Jordan
"WeH, Sylvia, what is the rene
dy ?7 he asked after pause. with
un awkward laugh. ''Shall I-?'
There is nothing for you to do
Allan. She might try worshipping
as a change"
Il am quite satisfied with my
wife's affection for me, = hesaid cold
| ", and for some days avoided his
stout, affectionate adviser. What
right had she to look into the place
where their two souls dwelt alone
He was perfectly satisfied with Les
lies love for him.
And yet?
Other fashionable young wive
[ flirted, found their confidential
, friends in beardless boys or grizzled
leaders of society but Lesley held
herself a stranger to the men who
ifrequented her receptions or her
husbands dinner table. She never
suffered herself to forget for an in
slant that she was a married woman.
Z She had a stern. almost business-lke
sense of duty. 1t made her in action
loYal to her husband, just as it drove
her TO church in all weatbers. But
in church, while others prayed, she
| knelt and dreamed of the last novel
, sine had read and even in her hus-
bands arms she dreamed of-she
dared net tell herself what Lesley,
as we have said, was naturally a
pure woman. with little heat in her
blood. ifshe had been coarser, the
license Of her youth would have left
her as corrupt as it does so many
other women. As it was it had only
made her restless and dissatisfied
The belle of Ciapp City could hard
lv he content with the devotion of a
man like Allan Davidge. She felt
vaguely that there was a gap in her
life. and she filed it with the shad-
ow Of her old lover. 1t was but q
shadow. Where was the harm
She sat opposite her husband one
evening at dinner, and starting from
"a reverie. found that he was watch
ing her across the flowers and lights.
He had fallen into the habit of 81
lently watching her lately. She
reused herself and smiled back to
him, conscious that he really was
very estimable, this quiet, common
place Allan
That's good" he said heartily.
II was afraid your headache had
come back. What do you say to
going out this evening? Patti sings
at the Acade NY"
Il should have to change my
dress. 1t is not worth the trouble.
Shall we 60 down to Sylvia's,
then, for an hour? Jordan COM
plains that we are unsocial. "
Lesley hesitated. Il really don't
feel equal to it, Allan. The children
are so affectionats, and your sisters
shrewdness and Mr.. Jordan's com
mon sense are-iust little oppress-
i've. Ny nerves are not strong to-
day
YES. I understand" But his
countenance fell You will like
Sylvia better some time. She has
been like a mother to me. We will
stav at home, quietly, then, dear.
hi finish that paper OF Glad
stones. .
Lesley rose impatiently. Il don't
care TO hear any reading tonight. |
feel feverish and irritable. If We
could see a tragedy, now" she adj
ded with nervous laugh, her eyes
glittering, Lear or Othello. But
nothing short of a real storm and
real dagger would content me. | am
unreasonable, | suppose
Allan followed her into the libra
rv, wheeled her chair to the fire, ad-
iusted an Indian screen TO keep
away the draught, but took no no.
tice of her complaints. He knew
certainly now, that neither fire nor
screen nor anything which he could
offer would satisfy her. II the
knowledge hurt him he did not show
it bv look or GESTURE. The evening
mail bad been brought in. He sat
dawn TO look over his letters.
Here are some invitations for
YOU. Lesley, and a letter from home.
| think somebody has written who
did not know you were married. 1t
is directed to Lesley Pope, and your
mother has added the 'Davidge and
address"
Very odd" said Mrs. Dayidge,
indifferently holding out her hand
for the letter. She glanced at the
superscription, and then sprang up
and walked hastily across the room.
Where are YOU going, Lesley?
II don't know. To the piano"
The piano stood in a kind of alcove.
She sat down and played loud and
fast. The letter lay on her lap star
ing up at her. She did not look at
it. a moment ago she was yaWnlng
with weariness, wishing to leok at
Now the tragedy was real
here.
Sam Lippard alive Writing to
her as Lesley Pope?
Her husband was summoned TO
the drawing room. He came back,
told her he was going out on bust