Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1884-08-22
THE CURSE OF GOLD.
BY ALFRED rouNGE.

Society opened her eyes and sniff
ed suspiciously when it became aware
that Lane Herbert had suddenly left
fair, young wife and gone out to the
far west.
After year had elapsed and Lane
Herbert did not return, the affair
resolved itself into positive mys-
terry, and no wonder. Here was as
beautiful woman as the sun ever
shone upon deserted by a man in
every respect her equal, handsome,
wealthy and accomplished. In start
ing out In life they had had every
thing that money and position could
afford them.
In point of fact there had been
too much money, for to the ample
fortune of young Herbert his wife
brought dowry in the eneighborhood
of million.
Therein resided the worm that de-
filed the heart of the rose.
The facts of the case were these;
Lane had his friends, Annette had
hers. Admiration was a certain
passport to the young wife's favor,
and all her husbands friends admir-
ed her, consequently Annette had no
fault to find with the set that dlned
at her table and thronged her draw
ing-room.
Unfortunately for the harmony of
their domestic relations, Lane enter
tained opposite views on the sub
iect, He was particular whom he
introduced In his home, and took oh
jections to certain persons whom An
nette cultivated.
Hints to this effect were thrown
out, both parties mounted high
iloEses, ana rupture was the result.
The final disaster occurred one au-
tumn morning at the breakfast
table.
:'Thank heaven, Annette OBJ
served Lane, ''for the first time in
many weeks we shall dine alone. to-
gether tonight.
''But we shall not, dear replied
pretty Mrs. Herbert, setting down
her coffee cup and looking at her
husband.
'sNo," exclaimed the latter, with
annoyed surprise,
"No."
Whom have you asked z"
MADAME Borowski and her friend,
Mademoiselle Placide.'
''Thosc women again."
s'Lane! Please remember that
you are speaking of ladies!"
'!:They are not ladies, and I have
as much as told you so before. They
are both adventuresses, and not fit
companions for"
Annett's fair face clouded with in
dignation. and she interrupted the
impetuous burst with an imperious
gesture.
''Stopi" she said, ''the ladies are
my friends, and entertain whom 1
choose
''In spite of my wish to the con-
trary?''
'In spite of your wish to the con-
trary.'
Lane Herbert crumpled up his
napkin, LAID it beside his plate, and
arose to his feet.
annette he said, sternly.
"WeIl?" with tantalizing eleva-
ton cf the arched eyebrows.
''If those women are coming, |
shall not dine at home this evening"
s'Then you will dine elsewhere, 1
suppose"
Silence for moment: the young
husband went to the window, select
ed jasmine from the jardiniere, and
gloomily pulled its snowy petals
apart, his wife watching him fur
lively from the corners of her eyes.
Suddenly he turned toward her
with beseeching gesture while she,
with quick assumption of indiffer
ence, raised her cup to her lips.
"Annette, though you may not be
aware of the fact, we have drifted
unconsciously to decided turning
point in our lives"
He paused.
Down went the dainty cup and
saucer with ring.
"Have you lecture in contempla-
tion?' she asked, cuttingly.
"No, no lecture; only remark to
make
s'Wellr'
'Either you give up your intimacy
with women who make themselves
the topic of light comment at the
clubs and upon the race course, or
-''
.Well, you need not hesitate.
Pray conclude"
s'Or you give me up
Annette Herbert rose from her
chair with proudly flashing eyes.
fortunately am my own mis-
tress and can do as j see fit. 1 do
not care one whit what your unmanly
gossips of the clubs and race course
say. Madame Borowski and Made
moiseIle PIacide are my friends, and