The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-09

the clock to the falling of the wood ashes from
the old basket crate. She could pray for her
beloved; yes, that was all she could do in this
hour OF observation-disclosures. albeit she was
sitting by his side. She could pray, and put her
trust in God. She could not believe that any
estrangement between herself and her husband
could last Life had been made very bitter to
her IN the days of her first marriages. long
period OF pain and anxiety growing from bad to
worse, till it eliminated in the tragedy at Mai
low Barracks. And there had followed further
trouble about her son. And then, after she had
done with hope, after she had told herself that
joy and gladness were not for her there had
come the awakening of a new love, the beginn ming
of new life. days of exceeding sweetness Was
that bright time all over now, she wondered, and
was she to go back into the darkness. and pain,
and desolatlonF No, she could not believe that
fate would be so cruel that she was to be ever
the victim of other peoples sins-the scapegoat
to suffer for the folly and crime of her belong
ings No, all would be well again between her
self and her beloved when once she could talk TO
him freely. He would not revenge upon her the
wrong dong of her son. although it had gone
near to cost him his life. She knew Allan
DarneiS generous heart too well to believe that.
But for the time being there was gulf which
she dared not attempt TO cross. Whatever he
might suspect, whatever evil he might, think Of
her, she could not set herself right yet awhile
SO she sat with folded hands. meekly, quiet as
the figure of a saint in a cathedral niche, pray
ing for him whose thoughts had wronged her.
praying tor the restoration of the confidence and
the bliss of old, when he and she had been in all
things OF one mind. And so the moments stole
gently oy TILL the hour was done, and as the
CLOCK struck she rose to leave the room.
4 must go now Allan" she said softly. Mr..
DanVerS only allowed me one hour. Can get
you anything, or do anything for you before
gos 1t would be such a pleasure to me to do
you some small service
Thanks, you are very kind. No, theEe is
nothing
He spoke eourteously, but as coldlv as if he
We're addressing stranger.
An revolr, Allan. may come again to look
at you in the evening, perhaps"
He did not forbid her to return. He let her
depart in silence.
He looked after her with sad reproaehful ewes
till she was gone. and then turned his head upon
the pillow and groaned aloud Yes. he loved her
still. She as dear to him as she had ever
been she whom he believed to be the falsest
and vilest among women; she who had admitted
lover beneath her husbands roof at midnight
"a desperate who, seeing his mistress's good
name at stake had tried to murder the husband
In order to save the wife.
Yes, he recalled in this bitter hour, as he had
recalled again and again since the awakening
from the long agony of derium. he recalled
once again the memory of that hideous night.
He remem bered how in his sleep. the heavy sleep
Of fatigue he had vaguely heard the murmur of
two voices in the adjoining room, his wifes voice
and another; how, even in his sleep, he had
wondered at those voices, wondered that his
wife should be talking; how, struggling half
consciously to arouse himself, no had at last
awakened to hear his wife speaking and mans
voice replying Then came silence and the sud
den shutting of door He had risen hurriedly,
put on his dressing jacket, and opened the door
OF the morning room. On the very threshold he
stopped, seeing man standing by the table-a
man whose dark, handsome face impressed itself
upon him in that one instant.
He cOud recall those dark flashing eveS the
hectic flush upon the hollow cheeks, the naughty
carriage of the head; but he could remember no
more. He could not have told the mans age, or
the clothes he wore. The figure stood before
him for moment only, dark, tai, defiant; then
there was fash. and all was dark.
The face had haunted him in his derium-
the figure with pistol pointed at him. had pur-
sued him through the dark mazes Of fever-and
now, as he lay weak a child, helpless, hope
less broken hearted, the dark. evil face was
with him still, haunting his presence
And he believed that his wife was false to him.
an arch deceiver from the very beginning of their
acquaintance He believed that she had put
aside some dearer love for the sake of the posi-
ton he was able to offer, and that all her subse-
quent life with him had been one elaborate
comedy. so perfect in it's discrimination that he
had lived in fools paradise, deeuling himself
the happiest of men. Then came the prepare
-tions for the Italian tour. The lover had heard
of this intended journey, had grown desperate
perhaps, at the idea of a prolonged separation,
and had insisted on an interview. Urged by an
angry man, irrevocably lost by her conduct in
the past Clare Darnel had not stopped short at
this last infamy. She had admitted her lover at
midnight. beneath her husbands roof And she
came to him today, in her calm pale beauty
looking at him with eyes softered by unshed
tears she kissed him with her false lips; she
acted her part of shameless hypocrisy to the last
and did not shrink from the man whose heart she
had broken, whose life might have been sacri-
feed TO ner infamy.
''If had died from that wound she would
have married her old lover--married him with
his hand red with my blood-married as Mary
married Boutwell," he thought, land the settle
ment which my doting folly secured to her
would have made their future days easy. And
this is the woman | have trusted-ths is the
woman whom I gave as mother to my inno-
cent child"
The doctor came in the evening, and was not
altogether satisfied with his patients appear
ance.
You look worried" he said II thought
Lady Darnels visit would have cheered You. |
expected to see marked Improvement How
has he taken his nourishmeht, nurseF
mot over we'll, SIR" answered a prim little
person in gray. ''Sir Allan sent away the par
fridge scarcely touched. and he only took
spoonful of his custard"
mo use trying to panper you with Gainties,"
said the doctor facetiously. 1--WE shall have to
put you back Brands essence if you don't
take car. Sir Allan must take plate of invalid
turtle for his supper, nurse, and you must give
him glass of dry sherry after it,"
Sir Allan looked supremacy Indifferent to the
supper question.
''If Lady Darnel has any idea of coming to
see me this evening, you might tell her that she
mad better not. I do not think [ am strong
enough to see people yet" he said, presently,
while the doctor was feeling his pulse, watch in
hand
Il don't think You are You have quite dis
appointed me" replied Mr. Danvers.
Clare was waiting in the corridor when the
doctor went out
May 1 see him again to-uight?" she asked,
eagerly
Not tonight. He is very low-out Of spirits
altogether depressed anatural reaction after that
violent fever. He must be left to himself for
few days more"
And am not to seehim again-for few days"
exclaimed Clare dejectedly.
"Come. dear Lady Darnel, have let you have
an hour with him. l have been very indulgent;