The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-11

make the old hall again the hapSx. or derly home Of hin boyhood. AId row that he vas well over thirty he would probably have soon made choice not far smiss among the pretty daughters of his fellow-squires, t Fate had not brought Lad4 Griselda across his path.
 ft was all quick work thea. Good-by to other maicens forevemore. The pretty girl who had known him since childhood, and on whom he had spent great many smiles eze Lady Gfiselda's advent, had caic-ly time to realize the situation and take up her disappointment ere she heard he was fairly engaged She was a good, true-hearted giIl, al- though she has nothing 10 do with the further history of Beverley. and nursed memosy of fev bright scenes Of
 which he was the hero to the end of her days and so. missing a wife who would
 yell have filled his mothers place, and
 had already learned to love him, to her cost, Humphrey welded woman who
 was incapable of any deep affection, and
 was, moreover, destined to bring ill.f for. tune and grim disaster to his hearth. i The first few months of their married
 lite passed well enough. No woman could be wholly insensible to such de-
 vot;on as Humphrey showed his bride
 and the novelty of her surroundings had
 q charm.
 Bu. Lady Griselda was one who must tyrann ze over affection she loved 10 tease
 Humphrey even in these early days al though she knew from report, though no, ssyet from sxperience,that his temper was one dangerous to rouse. Also, if visitors were not plenty, and no diversion called them from home, she very soon began to shIug her shoulders al vt day, or even quiet one, to bury herselfin French novels, or oftener still retire with her maid to the study of French toilettes, and her own fine figure and face when adorned with the same. The cares of housekeep- lns she delegated to the housekeeper, and referred every enc who troubled her 10 Mir. Beverley; and thus studiously avoiding the responsibilities of her lot, while she maintained firm hs.c on it's privileges, she starred on her career as Sife.
 There was no lack of company at the hall that winter. The wedding festivities were prolonged; and Humphrey, profuse at all times in his hospitality, felt proud that his beautiful wife should be ad- mired by his neighbors, and was glad to welcome her friends.
 Then came the London season Lady Griselda's attendance at which lasted much longer than Humphrey had under stood her to intend, and his impatieEce tor her return was great He had stayed Tn town himself for a few weeks, for his ideas were strong on the subject of married life. with it's duties and pleasures . but like many who have taken free lati- tude of enjoyment in younger days, he was now extremely anxious to lead an exemplary life and attend we'll to hls outies as country gentleman. Season able pleasures should not be forgotten, and m all me lsures, domestic and other- wise, he would be aided by his wife. So he hoped not knowing as yet that he had taken counterfeit for coin, and that It would not pass ID the market, and bring him those goods that he required.
 Lady CT selda returned overdone with gayety, yet disgusted with her home and inclined 10 think her marriage an ignom- nous mistake. Humphreys warm wei come, his caresses ana devotion, all bored her heartily, aud though she made little outward opposition to his domestic views and plans, she was secretly determined they should not be carried out. She had asked sufficient number of people to visit her 10 prevent much possibility of quiet for some tune to come, and she traded on Humphreys hospitality to keep him from giving his guests tGe cold shoulder.
 Az hot put to the proof ID no small measure, especially as by degrees the tact dawncd l on Mir. Beverley that the visitors Lady l Grlselda most delighted to honor were i those least suited to his taste, end who l amalgamatt but i'll with his own straight 1 forward, hones,-intentioned,t though ill., | regulated nature. The times were out i of jolnt, but he would scarcely allow 1t. ! even to his own heart, st,ll less admit | doubt of his wife's affection to himself, ] even though the proofs given nim of II | grew fewer and fewer, and the time she l spent in his companionship, or rather Tn | that dual solitude that he desired, was ever less and less.
 He tried to w}n her to quie,er ways in | vain then he huug himself headlong into the dissipation of the hour, and ,rieo | to believe that he was happy. All de- fusion would have been over IT uch sooner with most men than 1t was with Hum phrey, but he had bull. too largely on the hope of An ideal marriage 10 believe quickly that the foundations were base less.
 Another autumn and win.er came and | went; another London season, and still i Humphrey nursed the hope that his mis- management and ancient over-fondness foi pleasure had somehow been to blame, and that it was not Griselda's fault al- together. Other eyes were clearer and indeed Lady Griselda from being heartless filrt, was rapidly degenerating into worse, and becoming more depend ent on excitement and conquest. No children came to bless this union and with their little unconscious hands draw tighter the welded bonds that had begun to slacken.
 The servants vith whom Huunhrev