Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-03-26


impersonation OF Longfellow. she
gives a side glance and looks down.
III were not your brother-in law, L
should say to myself: Beware as
Longiellow did. The fact is, you are
natural born airt.'
Mrs. Floyd pouted. and almost chang
ed her mind about telling Teddy but
was Modified when be added:
OF course l know there is nothing In
1t; it's only your way, it comes from
your sympathetic nature. You and
Lester are too fond of each other Tor
YOU to fllrt seriously. But sometimes
people are made very miserable by
what is really and substantially nothing
at ALL
Lester is too terribly jealous Mrs.
Floyd said, by way of apology. But
[ have made up my MUD TO cure him.
| think if l allowed him 10 suppose
there was really occasion for jealousy,
and be were to get pretty we'll worked
up over something tina. would prove
lrife after all, he would see the folly of
such indulgence
Very likely Teddy ans wered.
1T occurred to me that today would
be particular opportunity for carry
ing out such a plan. Lester is quite
angry with me, and will be ready to
crsdt anything, so l am going to make
him believe that there is something
very serious between Kenneth Gray
and myself. In fact, I shall have a
note on the bureau where he can fed
it W hen be comes home. 1t will tell
him that have eloped with my lover.
l have written one already. Here /!
is.
Mrs. Floyd handed him the note,
which was gotten up TO give the i'm
preston of precipitsncy and men tai
distraction. read:
when your eyes fall upon these
lines Lester, I shall be beyond your
bitter reproaches. 1 would not have
left you had you not pursued me with
your Jealous doubts; but you have made
my life intolerable, and l seek my
happiness in the love of man who
will not torture me with constant up
braidlng. GLADYS FLOYD
4 tried not to tell story she OBJ
served, as be was readiug this. Il made
my statement eqnivocal you see. 1 am
sure 1 am seeking my happiness in the
love of such man as l have described
aud as l hope Lester will be after he
has learned bis lesson
Teddy laughed uproarou,ly.
so you are going to leave this on
the bureau? p be inquired. BY Jove !
[ believe 1 will come home to dlnuer
with Lester, just to see the denuoue-
ment.
Do Mrs. Floyd urged. L shal
hide in the bay-wlndow behind the por-
liere, and shall listen to every word
is said.'
'What schemers you are, Glades-
you women Teddy observed this as
he was going away ; but Mrs. Floyd
only laughed in great glee over the plot
she had produced,
1t was six O'Clock when Lester came
home to dinner. Teddy returned with
tim, as he had said he would. Mrs.
Floyd having discovered their approach b
flew 10 the bay window conceallng her.
self behind the drapery that shut oil
the alcove from tho bed room.
Teddy fingered 10 the library as was
proper. But Lester, afier calling his
Mife IN vain, came upstairs to look for
her.
Mrs. Floyd had arranged the por-
,iere. 50 as to allow herself a little
peep.hole, aud through this she watch
him ntcnuy.
He entered with an unsuspicious air,
and called her name several times.
In passing the bureau. the note
caught bis eye and he picked it up.
II so happened that as he stood there
reading it, his back was turned to vari
the window, aud Mrs. Floyd could not
zee his face.
But she saw him reel as though
something had struck him a deadly
blow; she saw him crush the note in
his linger, and she heard a low excla-
nation that burst uhconsciously from
his lips. Then-oh, heavens !
She never knew how it was done. 1t
seemed that this discovery OF her sup
posed elopement. made at time when
he was already Oppressed, had driyen
him to desperation. Bat before she
had dreamed of such a thing, he DIRE W
pistol from his pocket, placed it dir
ectly over his head and fired.
There was loud report, a gurgIlng
cry from Le3ter's lips, aud he fell TO
the floor.
The next instant Teddy was in the
room. He had come upstairs three
steps al time, and ionnd Gladys stand
Ing like one parallzed, her face pale as
death and her eyes wildly dilated'
Lester'8 pistol had fallen beside him.
and at a glance Teddy graspsd the hor-
rid truth.
lie sank on his knees at his bro.her's
side. aud lifted his head.
Miserable woman,' he cried, in a
voice of horror. You have murdered;
your husband
His word seemed TO break the spell
that bound Gladys. Her hands sank
neryously at her sides; nom escaped
her pallid lips; and with bitter c'y
| sOh INV Cod = she fell insenalble at