The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-02-20

not one of them lost-forbade hin
to believe it.
Lesley stood by the fire, shivering
Here was the adventure, the love-
she had been pining for. She laugh
ed Historically. docs he spell an6
smell so ?" she gasped, rubbing hel
fingers which were rank with the
scent of tobacco.
Mr.. Dayidge found that his wife
grew more moody day by day aftel
that. Her color faded she wa:
thin and haggard she watched fol
the mail with breathless anxiety
yet there was evident relief on hel
face when it did not bring her a let
ter. One or twice, when he handed
her letters, ne observed that they
bore the Clapp City post mark, and
at once surmised that there wa:
some trouble in her family. He fol
lowed her to her room one day, ano
found her staring out of the window
at the rain, her pretty features pinch
ed and rigid.
Lesley, dear child! Is your faith.
er in any difficulty? Can | be OF
use? If money is needed, you
know"
"Oh! money! What's money p
she cried sharply "No; you can dc
nothing, Allan. 1t is not my father
It's all right at home She turned
to the window again.
Lesley. look at me a moment. !
will not question you. But whatev-
er your trouble is, remember, if you
come to me, you can trust my love.
There was a meaning in his eve.
which brought her to her reason, a
firmness behind the tenderness
which she had never seen before.
Could it be that she had never
known this man? Well, let it be II
she had not, it was too late now. She
drew herself away from his gentle
hold.
"You need not be uneasy of every
change which you fancy in me. Al
Ian. They mean nothing. Trihes
vex me
Mrs. Oavidge after that ceased to
take any interest in the mails. The
fact was that Lippard was on his
way to Philadelphia. Mrs. Jordan
observed that she started whenever
| the bel! rang. and listened. afraid to
turn her head
What is the matter, child? You
are ghastly as if death was standing
at the door, she said
Better if he did y muttered Les
ley. She was really wretched, but
she used the exaggerated phrases in
talking to herself of her wretched-
ness which she had learned from the
novels she read. She could not for
get, even in her misery, that she was
the chief actor in a play such as
woula have delighted the beaux Of
her youth, from whom she had gain
ed her ideas of life.
A beautiful girl married to a rich
husband, with an old lover, poor,
brave and unfortunate, full of fire
and passion, coming to look upon
her for the last time" She did not
love him She was disgusted with
his iil-spelled, ill-smelling scrawls.
Sbe was resolved that he should rec
ognize in her the honorable wife of
a good man. But the early training
was strong in her she was huttered
though frightened with the flavor of
romance which had stolen into her
life.
The next day, when she was driv-
ing to the park, man started up
from bench under the trees, max
ing gestures to tbs coachman TO stop.
The man was clothed in coarse,
cheap finery. His face was bloated
with drink, his linen was ragged and
dirty.
She pulled the check line.
That gentleman wishes us to
stop" she said to the footman. when
he pressnte d himself at the window.
She could not meet the mans eyes
as she said it.
He glanced at Lippard, and back
TO her cOlorless, excited face Only
a tramp. madam. The same that
called at the house yesterday. |
would not let him see YOU or Mr..
Davidge." "
IL will see him now"
Lippard came up. The carriage
door opened, and he stepped inside.
Drive on, " said Mrs. Davidge, to
the astonished servants. They prick
ed their ears sharply as they sat on
the box, bat not sound reached
them from inside-the conversation
was carried on in whispers.
When the carriage rolled over the
bridge, returning to town, it was
stopped again, and Linpard alight-
ed.
Until this evening, then" he
said. familiarlr resting enc ringed
hand on the door. Give orders to
these fellows of yours TO admit me.
Good afternoon :" He staggered
AVA.
TO Mrs. Jordan's" said Lesley.
She found Sylvia as usal, sur
rounded by her children, who were
as plump and noisy as herself. As
Lesley stepped in the doorway the
thought flashed on her that here was
a wife in a tue, decert, happy posi-
ton, while She
What is it?" cried Sylvia, start
ing up. Has anything happened
Allan p
"No. no."
Children, go to the nursery; no
more lessons to day. What has hap
pened, Lesley?' putting her arm
around her.
II came to tell you something. |
must speak to somebody, or shall
die"
"Ohl no, you won't die" cheer
fullv.-"That5 the poorest way OF
getting out of scrape that | know
OF. Wait moment until you can
speak"
Mrs. Jorden watched Lesley with
small compassion. she is wearing
the life out of Alien with her whim-
seys. A little wholesome wretchsd-
nees will ba uood for her abe