The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-01-19

torture me with constant upbraidings.
GLADYS FLOYD"
Il tried not to tell story" she oh
served, as he vas reading this. Il made
my statements equivocal, you see. ! am
sure | am seeking my happiness in the
love of such man as | have described,
and as | hope Lester will be after he has
learned this lesson.
Teddy laughed uproariously.
so you are going to leave this Oh the
bureau?' he inquired. "By Jove. be-
lieHe will come home to dinner with
Lester. just to see the den0uameat.'
DO" Mrs. Floyd urged. Il shall hide
| IN the bay window behind the portiere,
and shall listen to every word that is
said"
''What schemers you are, Gladys-you
women" Teddy observed this as he was
going away; but Mrs. Floyd only laughed
In great glee over the plot she had pro-
duced.
1t was six o'clock when Lester came
home to dinner. Teddy returned with
him,as he had said he would. Mrs Floyd,
having discovered their approach flew to
the bay-window, concealing herself be-
hind the heavy Persian drapery that shut
off the alcove from the bedroom.
Teddy fingered in the library, as was
proper But Lester, after calling his wife
IN vain, came upstairs to look for her.
Mrs. Floyd had arranged the portiere
so as to allow herself little peep-hole,
and through this she watched him in
tently.
He entered with an unsuspicious air.
and called her name several times.
In passing the bureau the rote caught
his eye and he picked it up.
1t SO happened that, SIS he stood there
reading 1t, his back was turned toward
the window, and Mrs. Floyd could not
see bis face.
But she saw him reel as though some
| one had struck him deadly blow: she
| saw him crush the note in his fingers:
and she heard low exclamation that
burst unconsciously from his lips. Then
oh, heavens
She never knew how it was done. 1t
seemed that this discovery of her sup
posed eiopement, made at a time when
ne was already deeply depressed. had
| driven him to desperation. But before
| she had al mod nfS = I, /
pistol from his pocket placed it directly
over his head and fired.
There was q loud report, a eurgllnr
cry from Testers lips and he fell to the
| floor.
The next instant Teddy was in the
room. He had come up stairs three steps
at time, and fonnd Gladys standing like
one paralyzed, her face as pale as death
and her eyes wildly dilated.
Testers pistol had fallen beside him,
and at glance Teddy graspeti the hor-
rible truth.
lie sank on his knees at his brother $
side, and lifted his head.
Miserable woman, he cried, in voice
of horror. You have murdered your
husband"
His words seemed to break the spell
that bound Gladys. Her hands sank
nervelesS at her sides; a moan escaped
her pallid lips. and with Litter cry:
"Oh, my God - she sank insensible at
Teddy feet.
When she opened her eyes again, she
was !. my on the bed. There was dim
light in the room, ard standing by the
window the figure of a man.
Mrs. Floyd raised herself, with heart
on which the weight of the whole world
seemed resting. The horrible truth
| flashed upon her recollection, and pierced
her like Il thousand arrows.
Then, in the dim hght. she saw tie
figure turn toward her. 1t was not Ted
dy as she had supposed; but-oh, mer-
ciful heaven-it was Lester
y cry OF agony burst from her lips.
'Oh, my God ~ she cried. "Already-
already lie has Come back to haunt me"
In passion Of grief and horror, she
buried her face in the pillows; and for a
few moments she was wholly iusensible
to the light touch that fell upon her
shoulders. But at the words that were
whispered in her ears, she started up,
wildly.
Lester was standing beside her, ami
the next moment he seated himself on
the edge of the bed.
GLADYS, darling he murmuled, u
am not dead. Look at me-
You are dead she cried passionateIy.
II kille you-God pity me. But l did
not mean to- did not mean to-"
Little wife, he whispered, quite
gently, touch inc-fcel my hands-let
me kiss you. am here-real. palpable,
in the flesh. You hear my voice. and |
tell you, Gladys, am alive"
You are dead, she ans wored, wildly.
Il know it. l killed you-you, my hus-
band, whom loved better than my own
life-oh, my God ~
Darling" he said, gathering her up
i'll his arms, ''do YOU feel my embrace?
Do You feel my kisses? Do you hear me
say love you?"
''Yes, " she answered, in a dazed way,
at last, putting her hand to her head.
yves do"
Listen to me, Gladys" he continued,
turning up the gas brightly. This
tragedy was all farce. did not shoot
myself, dear. See. am not even wound
ed; for, Gladys, the pistol contained moth