The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-27
A wIFEs CHARM.

A pout upon the red lips of Ger
aid Sinclair's young wife-unmis
takably pout-for though wife al
most two years, her fond, indulgen
husband had for the first time salt
nay to an openly expressed wish.
The fancy ball of the season, .
grand and fashionable assemblage
was to take place during his alb
sence-and he said that he should
prefer she would not attend.
She was only twenty. Let thil
much be said in extenuation of th,
two great tears that rose to tn,
brown eyes and slowly tricl:let
down the pretty face, splashing or
the dainty morning dress, which
clinging to the edainty form, reveal &c
so perfectly its graceful outlines.
Certainly Niobe had no reason to
feel ashamed of this one of her chill
dren. But Gerald Sinclair had only
stopped and kissed away the glisten-
ing drops in a half-hurried manner,
perhaps to hide his awakening re-
morse.
"Never mind, little wife. I'll
make it up to you another time"
Then he was gone; but she sat
still, turning and returning her we'd
ding ring, with ewes bent upon it.
1t was a curious ring-a solid band,
set with five large diamonds.
1t had been her charm, her tails
man, not to be taken from her fin
ger until soul and body had parted
but this morning it had lost its
charm. If it failed to scatter the
clouds, it failed to bring back the
sunshine.
Even when the hour came round
for Gerald's homecoming, he miss
ed his usual warm welcome but he
thought that he might trust his
wife's heart and said nothing. The
next day he started on his Journey.
Your not going, my dear?" ex-
claimed Mrs. Martin, bursting in up
on her friend on the morning of the
ball. "And why not ?"
Gerald is away" replied Mrs.
Sinclair, with some little show of
wifelv dignity, as though the fact
were in itself sufficient explanation.
"And why need that make any
difference?" pursued Mrs. Martin,
bewitching little widow some few
years her friends senior. 81 viii
share my escort with you-Count
Belzoni y
Sophie Sinclair looked up amazed.
She knew that the man mentioned
had but lately gained entree into So
ciety, and knew also that her hus-
band disliked and distrusted him.
Once or twice she had seen his eye
fixed admiringly upon herself. and
had felt somewhat as the bird might
feel beneath the basilisk glare of the
serpent.
aWell, why don't you answer p
continued Mrs. Martin. '1Will you
GO"
"No, no. she replied, trying to
speak with firm decision. Besides,
l do not think that Gerald admires
the count"
prejudice. my dear. all prejudice.
The count is one of the most charm
ing and agreeable men l know. In
deed | think / should be canonized
for my willingness to share his at
tentions, especially as / have heard
him say all manner of pretty things
about you
Nonsense. Elem retorted Mrs.
Sinclair.
But she felt the ground slipping
beneath her feet as she spoke.
After all, Gerald had not said pos
itively no. Had he thought it nee
essary after he had openly expressed
his disapprobation Of her going?
He had not known that she would
be so sorely tempted. Besides, she
would wear a mask. No one would
know her; and when she told Ger
aid he would forgive her. A sudden
thought came to her.
Il viii 60" she said at last, after
continued urging, aud locking at the
picture in all its brightest lights, son
one condition, and that is tha, no
one is to know me-not even the
count. Say that you have persuaded
a friend to accompany you who
wishes to remain unknown. / will
come to your house, where he will
find me, and thus gain no clue"
So it was decided; but, in spite of
her exquisite costume of a fairy as
she concealed it and herself beneath
a large domino, as :he clock on her
mantel chimed ten, it seemed to So
phie that every stroke said, 'stayl
STAY p
She was almost tempted to obey
it, but she had promised Ellen and
after all, she had heard that it was
well for young wives to assert them
selves.
An hour later and, on Count Bel
zoni's arm, she entered upon the
brilliant scene. So far he had not
even seemed curious to ascertain her
She experienced at this
singular sense of relief.
The ball was at its height as the
clock rang out the hour of midnight
but for the first time in her life ligh.'
and gayety were distasteful. A hum