Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-01
1ales aud Sketfhfs.
HATES HUSBAND.
Continue from yesterday.

the following week, anu the uiocheiy VI
our wedding festivities at Talbot Castle
was suspended at once in Difference to my
grief Then we came to London. and my
lord selected to his own use the lett wing
of this honse, and politely placed at my
disposal all the remaining appointments.
considered this an intimation that | was
not expected to intrude upon his quarters.
and scrupulously avoided every approach
to them. | knew from the first, that all
attempts to win him would be useless. and
| indeed, felt to Inundated to try. Dur
ing the few weeks that we remained
under the same roof we seldom met, and
am afraid that did not make those rare
intervals pleasant. | felt wronged and
miserable, and my wan face and heavy
eyes. were only reproach to him"
! "Oh. what monster, Kate !"
Not quite that. Selma. There were
many excuses for him. One day l saw
para graph in the Times saying that Lord
Richard Talbot intended to accompany a
scientific exploring expedition whose des-
tination was central Asia. | instantly
sent and asked my husband for an inter-
view. had intended dressing myself
with care for the meeting and making one
last effort to win the kindly regard, at
least, of one whom could not help loving.
But some unforeseen fatality always attend
ed our meetings, and | could never do
myself Justice in his presence. He an
swered my request at once. suppose he
did so out of respect and kindness, but
the consequence was he found me in an
unbecoming dishabille and with nv face
and eyes red and swollen with weeping
Il felt mortified at prompt attention
so malapropos, and my manner instead of
being willing and conciliating, was cold
unprepossesSing. | did not rise from the
sofa on which had been sobbing. and he
made no attempt to sit down beside me or
comfort me
II pointed to the paragraph and asked
! il it was true.
Yes, Lady Talbot he said, little
sadly and proudly shall relieve you of
my presence in a few days. | intended
Writwell to call on you today, with a
draft of the provisions | have made for
your comfort
II could make no answer. | had
thought of many good things to say, but
not in his presence. was almost fretful
and dumb He looked at me almost with
pity, and said in low voice: Kate, we
have been sacrificed to a necessity, involv-
| ing many besides ourselves. | am trying
to make what reparation is possible. |
shall leave You unrestricted use of three
| fourths of your time. | desire you to
make your life as gay and pleasant as you
possibly can. | have no fear for the honor
of our name in your hands: and trust
that and all else to you without doubt.
! If YOU would try and make some excuse
for my position | should be grateful. Per-
haps when you are not in constant tear
of meeting me this lesson may not be so
hard" And could not say a word in
reply; | just lay sobbing like child
among the cushions. Then he lifted my
hand and kissed it, and | knew he was
gone"
"And now. Kate, that you have become
the most brilliant woman in England,
what do you intend to do?''
"Who knows? | have such contrary
streak in my nature. | always do the
thing do not want to do"
Certainly it seems like it; for, in spite
of her confession, when Lord Talbot sent
the next morning to request an interview
Kate regretted she had made prior en-
gagement, but hoped to meet Lord Talbot
at the Duchess OF Clifford's that night.
My lord bit his lip angrily, but never
theless, had been so struck with his wife's
brilliant beauty that he determined to keep
the engagement.
She did not meet him with sobs this
time. The centre of an admiring throng,
she spoke to him with an ease and non
chalence that would have indicated to the
stranger the most usual and common
place acquaintanceship. He tried to draw
L., E.I ~ 4
smilingly:
MY lord. the world supposes us to
have already congratulated each other.
We need not undeceive it."
He was dreadfully piqued. and the
pique kept the cause of it continually in
his mind. Indeed, unless he left Lon
don, he could hardly avoid constant meet
ing, which were constant aggravatlons.
My lady went everywhere. Her beauty,
her wit. her splendid toilets, her fine man
ners, were the universal theme. He had
to endure eXtravagant comments upon
them. Friends told him that Lady Tai
bot had never been so brilliant and so be-
witching. He was congratulated on his
influence over her.
In the meantime she kept strictly at the
distance he himself had arranged four
years ago. 1t was evident that If he ap-
preached any nearer his beautiful but
long-neglected wife he must humble him.
self to do so. Why should he notP In Lord
Talbot's mind the reasons against it had
dwindled down to one; but that was a
formidable one. 1t was his valet. This
man had known all his matrimonial
trouble, and in his own way sympathized
with them. He was bitterly averse to
Lord Talbot's making any concessions to
my lady. One night, however. he recev-
ed profound shock.
Simmons, said Lord Talbot. very de-
cididedly. "go ask Lady Talbot if sl:e will
do me the honor to receive a visit from
me?'
My lady would be delighted. She was
in exquisite costume and condescended to
exhibit for his pleasure all her most be-
wildering moods. 1t was with great re-
luctance he left her after two hours
visit. The next night he stayed still long
er. My lady had no other engagement,
and he quite forgot the one he had made
to he present at the Marquis of Stairs
wine supper.
The following week my lady received
every morning a basket of wonderful flow
ers and little note with them containing
a hope that she was in good health.
One morninp she was aomnolIad m GOV