Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-03-17
THE CURSE OF GOLD.
BY ALFRED YOUNGE.


Society opened her eyes and sniffe
suspioi0usly when 1t became q ware ths
Lane Herbert had suddenly left hi
fair, young wife and gone out /
the far West-how far, Heaven Onl
knew.
OF course there were plenty of wise
acres to say, 81 told you so!" and al
the rest OF the exasperatiug things tina
busyl'0dies are wont to indulge In whe
anything irrevocable has occurred, IL
matter how unexpected. But, thougl
they obtained no satisfaction concern
ing the actual facts OF the case, the,
pretended to know all about 1t and Cos
siped among themselves until the min
days wonder died a natural death.
1t may positively be affirmed, how
ever, that young Mrs. Herbert neve
divulged her secret though she wa
questioned and cross.questioned will
that adrOit impertnence so common
among the better classes.
She continued to live on in the sam
openhanded, luxurious fashion, which
the men admired but the women char
acterized as y little shot Of scandalous
After year had elapsed and Lam
Herbert did not return, the affair re
solved itself into n mystery, and M
wonder. Here was as beautiful wo'
man As the sun ever shOne upon describes
by a man in every respect her equal
handsome, wealthy and accomplished
In starting out in life early they haC
everything that money and position
could afford them.
In point of fact there had been to0
much money, for to the ample forum,
of young Herbert, his wife brought q
dowry in the neighborhood of a mil
lion.
Therein resided the worm that defled
the heart of the rose.
The facts of the case we're these : Lane
had his friends, Annette had hers. Ad'
miration was n certain passport to the
young wife's favor, and all her hus.
bands friends admired her, consequent
ly Annette had no fault to find with the
set that dined at her table and thronged
her drawing-roOm.
Unfortunately for the harmony OF
their domestic relations, Lane enter.
tanned opposite views on the subject.
He WAS particular whom he introduced
in his home, and took objection to
certain persons whom Annette cultiva-
ted.
Hints to this effect were thrown out,
both parties mounted high horses, and
. rupture was the result.
n nj az
tumn morning at the break fast-table.
"Thank Heaven, Annette, observed
Lane, "fGr the first time in many
weeks We shall dine alone together To-
night''
But we shall not, DEAR" replied
pretty Mrs. Herbert, setting down her
coffee-cup and looking at her husband.
"No!" exclaimed the latter with
surprise.
ono"
Whom have you asked 2"
Madame Borowski and her friend,
Madamoiselle PIacide"
"ThOse women again -
Lane Please remember that you
ire speaking of ladies !"
They are not ladies', and | have as
much AZ told you 80 before. They are
10th adventuresses and no fit compan-
Ons for"
Annette's fair face cl0uded with in
lignation, and she interrupted the i'm
'etuous burst with an imperiOus ges-
ure.
Stop |" she said "the ladies are
ny friends, and | entertain whom l
hOOse.
SIN spite of my wish TO the contrary.
In spite of your wish to the con-
rary."
Lane Herbert crumpled up his nap
lin, laid 1t beside his plate and rose to
is feet.
Annette !" he said sterny.
"Well ?" with a tantalizing elevation
+ the arched eyebrows.
"If those women are coming, l shall
OF dine at home this evening"
"Then you will dine elsewhere,
oppose"
Silence for moment; the young
usband went to the window, selected
jasmine from the jardiniere and
loomily pulled its snowy petals apart,
Is wife watching him furtively from
le corners of her eyes.
Suddenly he turned toward her with
beseeching gesture, while she, with a
uick assumption of Indifference, raised
er cup to her lips.
" Annette"' he said, with almost tragic
'rvor, " Annette, though you may not
8 aware of the fact, we have drifted
nconsciously to a decided turning
oint in our lives
He paused.
Down went the dainty cup into its
Iucer with ring.
" Have you a lecture in contsmpla
on 2" she asked cuttingly.
l." No, no lecture only remark to
AXE"
" Well?"
" Either you give up your intimacy!
18th women who make themselves the
pic Of light comment at the clubs and
pom the race course, Or"
:" Well, you need not hesitate. Pray
cor you give me up"
Annette Herbert rose from her chair
18th proudly flashing eyes.
EoTtuuately all NY oWH HlntIoob
nd can do as l see At. dol
Of care one whit what your unmAnly
)ssips of the club and race-course say.
Iadame Browski and Madamoiselle
lacide are my friends, and l shall
them until see reason to do
,herwise."
"That is your ultimatum?"
"My ultimatum )" and she swept out
the room.
That was the cause, and the sole
.use, which led to the foolish estrange-
ent and fatal separation. Both were
the wrong, yet neither thought so
i'd mistaken sense of pride carried
lem from bad to worse.
In two years. Lane Herbert found
mself q ruined man. In his absence,
s bankers made luckless speculations;
lrd times set in, and the fortune which
I'd always smiled upon him, spread
II wings and scared away. What
uld he do ? How turn himself?
Annette had still her fortune. Should
. m ha oL tN hor Q