Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-02-01

pound under the cIrcums' 'ances to expos
your husbands duplicity. | saw him
unobserved. This forenoon, conversing il
tn. lobby of the theatre with Mademois
ellie Vera. | overheard enough to con
vince me that he is going to attend tn,
performance tonight He is cruelty de
celving you, and strongly advise you t,
unmask his villany and separate frou
hlm. Aifectionately yours,
AUNT LIZA"
Clara crushed the letter in hel
hands, and sat there looking at tn,
fast falling snow. 1t was growing
darker, and he would soon be here
And then: Would she show him the
F. tier and demand an explanation No
1t would be met by equivocal replies
lie was il master in the art of decep
ton, but that night would end it fol
ever
As she thought this, she felt dul
pain at her heart-and the evening
grew deeper.
why, little wife, are YOU sitting
alone in the cleaning
1t was Herbert's cherry voice h,
lad entered unperceived.
Herbert the tone was forced anC
Iollow-'are you going out tonight i:
Why, yes, my dear-l might hav,
toll you this morning. | have an i'm
portant engagement. 1t will not bt
long now, pet wife
I. What did he mean, He could nor
see the weird beauty Of that deadl,
pale face as she babe him farewell.
1t Was gala night at the theatre
The benefit of Mademoiselle Vera, the
fame of whose beauty and talent wa,
whispered, had drawn IA crowded audi
ence; and boxes, orchestra and CALLER,
presented an animated scene.
There Was one there, however
whose heart was aching with pain
Yes. Mademoiselle Vera was bsauti
rul; and there WAS no mistaking fht
frrvent admiration with which she
vas regarded by al, but more especi
ally By the solitary occupant Of one oI
the boxes; aud this person Clara re-
coguIzed as her husband How chang
"a he looked, The contamination o
that womans presence seemed to IN.
feet him with fever: there Was an un.
natural brIlllaucy in his splendid eyes
notwithstanding which his face looked
worn and haggard. He Was never Sc
at home
The curtain fell at last. and tumul
tuous applause brought MademoiselIt
Vera before IT. She was created with
>Iu~.,s and Cn>crs, which were treated
by the pampered beauty with proud
indifference, till at last boquet Nor,
elegant than the rest fell at her feet
She gave "a glance at one OF the boxes
Kissed her hand to the occupant, and
withdrew. Clara felt the building
SWIM around before her, but by /
strong effort she controlled herself, and
reached the entrance in safety.
Shutting herself IN her carriage
she waited patieutly. much TO the Us
constituent Of her coachman, an un
usually stolid individual, quite averst
To adventures Half an hour after
wards he received the welcome order
to drive home.
Clara has seen her husband emerg,
from the stage entrance with Made
moisellt Vera. \ deadly pallor pass
ed over her countenance, and sh,
tainted.
On arriving lone Clara proceede,
10 the drawing room. As she opene,
the door cry Of astonishment burs
from her lips. Mr.. johnson va
seated in an easy chair. reading.
tie looked up good-humoredly. an,
said, Turn about is fair play: wher
has my pet wife been,
Clara sat down wearily.
Herb bert, YOU can deceive me n,
longer. | was at the theatre to- -nigh ht
| saw YOU, and know ALL
i was not at the theatre tonight
Clara. do not like Aunt Liza sh
has been here again
Herbert, am mad saw ynn, an,
and that woman
Mr.. Johnson advanced, and took hi
wife's hand in his.
My pet wife, he said, quietly, 'th
person You saw tonight at the theatr
is my twin brother Years ago h,
was obliged to leave the country OF
account Of his participation in a ma,
escapade. Notwithstanding IL lon:
career of prohigacy, loved this erin,
brother Of mine. | accumulate,
money by additional labor without i'm
pairing that fortune which, in tn
event of my demise, of right belong
to you. | have finally paid his debt.
and summoned him back to his nativ
land. lie has improved but lite,
am sorry to say, but his destiny is II
his own bands, and he can make 0
mar as it he chooses. And now, m
dear, are you satisiicd?'
oh, Herbert, darling can yor
forgive me, wretch that | have been
On one condition. Clara, said Nj
johnson, smiling; that you will nese
listened to Aunt Liza again