Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-09-13

BY ALFRED YOUNGE.


did in the happy days before they be-
came man and wife
She had been a spoiled child, and ex-
pected at all times. and under all cir
the most unremitting at
tention.
She was extravagantly fond of
society and the admiration which
society affords ; unfortunately Ralph
Horton cared for neither. He loved
his frivolous little wife III a calm fair
way he enjoyed he peace and quiet
of his home, and he cared not a pin
for the designations of Mrs. Grundy and
her safe llities.
Nothing pleased him more than to
extend aprincely hospita ity to visitors,
but he rarely went into society, and
when he did 1t WAS invariably with ILL
concealed reluctance
In Ralph Horizons defense we must
say that he had reason Tor holding him
self alOof from the vortex into which
Belle longed to fling herself with that
fatal fascination which causes foolish
moth to flutter around the fame of a
candle.
He was a young man yet, and though
his prospects, were of the bent, he hal
not yet attained to SUCCESS.
He worked hard and had paid his
way thus far, but he had not the wealth
at his mmaDd necessary 10 return the
favOrs which his wife craved, and being
a proud man, he preferred to wait until
he could hold his head up among the
best OF them.
Perhaps he was foolish in not taking
his wife into his confidence; who shall
say that she would not have sympathiZ-
ed with him and bided her time for en-
joyment but he did not, and 30 she was
left in ignorance.
She thought him well off and making
plenty of money, and he had not the
heart to undeceive her.
Always anxious to put his best foot
forward Cor the sake of her pleasure,
Ralph Horton had rented pretty cot
tage on the shore Mt ElberOI for the
summer.
Here he left Belle with her servants
and an occasional friend during the
day, while he went to the city to attend
to his business.
On certain perfect morning in
August young Mrs. Horton tioated into
the pretty breakfast room just as her
husband, having finished his repast,
was rising from the table to hurry
away to catch his train.
Ka lph, DEAR" began the little lady.
in that " heedling tone which presi.ged
a favor.
"Well, Belle 2"
"There's to be grand hop at the
West End Mt Long Branch this even'
ing"
"Indeed ?"
ayes, and do wish we could 20
There will be crowds there that we
know"
A dark frown crossed Ralph Horton
face, and he glanced hurriedly at his
watch.
at is time for me to CO." he said
1--WE will talk about going when / come
home. Goodbye"
And he was gone like flash.
"IIl go-I declare III go |" cried
pretty Belle, and all day long she busted
herself looking over the ball dresses,
trying TO select one which she had worn
the least, and which would be the mosl
becoming.
Toward sunset she seated herself or
the breezy piazza, with bit Of en-
broidery, and waited for her husbands
train to arrive.
stead OF her husband, Belle saw hel
handsome cousin, Alfred Warner, com
ing toward the house.
To her surprise, he was the bearer OF 8
note from Ralph, stating that he shoulc
be detained in the city upon business
until late train, and might not return
that night.
"What a mean trick" mentally
calculated Belle he has only don't
that TO escape going to the hop with me
But I'll 60. I've said would, and
will.
And aloud she added
" All, you're going to pass the nigh
with MS, aren't You %
"Well, promised myself that plea
sure"
"Then you can escort me to the hol
at the West End"
but, my dear Belle, have no even
ing suit with me"
"Oh, you can wear Ralph's. 1t will
Il just fit you"
So it was decided.
i In delightful tremor of doubt an,
uncertainty, Belle robed herself for tn
festive occasion, and just as the fireftie
began to twinkle here and there In tn
!. sultry gloom, they entered their car
rage anu were Wulrleu away to"SH
Long Branch.
How the hours flew.
Belle, all animation, looked her YER
prettiest her card was filled with part
ners. and the night was far advances
ere she found herself seated alone by q
open window for an instant.
: Suddenly the excited voices Of som
gentlemen upon the piazza near he
! attracted her attention.
The midnight express from NeN
York wrecked |" exclaimed one.
Yes, have just come up from th
station. They report ten killed an
twice that number wounded"
Where did 1t occur?"
"Just outside of Long Branch,
u Anybody on board you knew ?"
eyes, several. Ralph Horton
Poor Belle waited to hear no more.
i With a desperate, sickening drea
upon her that seemed to petrify hi
: heart, she staggered through the crow
: to the dressing.room, caught up ht
lcloak, and fled like . mad creatul
= Through the silent streets to the station
FL Here all was hustle and confusion.
III A dense crowd was packed about til
-ldoors and windows which ever an
u anon the police beat back.
Fighting her way to the main 81
trance, she was met by sturdy my
. lmidon of the law with drawn club.
, "You cannot 90 in, lady, he said, +
specially, bat firmly.
2 my husband p she grasped.
,e He stepped aside and she flew in
20 the building where, under the electr
" lights, a CHASTITY sight met her eyes.
Il Beside the first silent form of dea
X stretched upon the floor, Belle utter
i, a piercing shrek and fell In a deaf
- like swoon.
N When she recovered consciousness,
d was morning all about her, and she II
i, b.,a In tho Iaraffu Gotta