The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-16

fancy and mental distraction. 1t read as
| follows:-
"When your eyes fall upon these lines,
Lester, shall be beyond your bitter re-
proaches would not have left had you
not pursued me with your jealous doubts;
but you have made my life intolerable, and
shall geek my happiness in the love of a
man who will not torture me with constant
upbraidings.
GLADYS FLOYD"
~ tried not TO tell story" she observed,
as be was reading this 81 made my state
ments equivocal, you see.
| am sure am seeking my happiness in
the love of such man as 1 have described,
and as hope Lester will be after he had
learned this lesson"
| Teddy laughed uproariously.
$50 you are going to leave this on the bu-
reau ?'' he inquired. "By Jove! believe
will come home to dinner with Lester, just
to see the denouement."
"Do," Mrs. Lloyd urged. 81 shall hide
III the bay-window behind the porticre, and
shall listen to every word that is said by
him.
"What schemers you are, Gadys-you
womenfolk."
Teddy observed this as he was going
away.
But Mrs. Floyd only laughed in great
glee over the plot she had produced.
| 1t was six o'clock when Lester came home
to dinner. Teddy returned with him, as he
had said he would. Mrs. Floyd having dis
covered their approach, few to the bay
window, concealing herself behind the hea-
Wy 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 intently as he
came in.
He entered with an unsuSpicious air, and
called her name several times. In passing
the bureau, tie note caught his eye, and he
picked it up.
1t SO happened that as he stood there
reading it, his back was turned toward the
window, and Mrs. Floyd could not see his
face.
But she saw him reel as though some one
had struck him deadly blow; she saw him
crush the nute in his fingers; and she heard
a low exclamation that burst unconsciously
from his lips. Then-oh, heavens!-
then"
She never knew how it was done. 1t
seemed that this discovery of her supposed
elopement, made at time when he was al
ready deeply depressed, had driven him to
desperation. But before she had dreamed
Of such thing, he drew pistol from his
pocket, placed it directly over his heart, and
fired.
There was loud report, gurgling cry
frym 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 found Glayds standing like one para!-
yzed; her face as pale as death, and her eyes
wildly dilated.
Lester's pistol had fallen beside him, and
at a glance Teddy grasped the horrible
truth. He sank on his knees at his broth
er's side, and lifted his head
MTsgTabTs wUmanr he cried, ii voice
| Of horror. "You have murdered your hus.
| band.''
| His words seemed 10 break the spell that
bound Gladys. Her hands sank nerveless at
her sides; moan escaped her pallid lips; and
with the bitter cry "Oh, my God" she
sank insonsible at Teddy's feet.
When she opened her eyes again she was
| lying on the bed. There was a dim light in
the room, and standing by the window the
figure of a man.
Mrs. Floyd raised herself with heart on
which the weight of the whole world seem
ed resting.
The horrible truth flashed upon her rec
election, and pierced her like thousand
arrows.
Then, in the dim light, she saw the figure
turn toward her. 1t was not Teddy as she
had supposed; but-oh, merciful-heaven-
it was Lester!
A cry of agony burst from her lips.
ooh, my. God - she cried. "Already
already he has come back to haunt me-
In passion of grief and horror she buri-
ed her face in the pillows; and for few
moments she was wholly iusensble to the
light touch that fell upon her shoulders.
But at the words that were whispered in her
ears she started up willy.
Lester was standing beside her, and the
next moment he seated himself on the edge
of the bed.
"Gladys, darling" he murmdred, 81 am
not dead Look at mo-"
"You are dead" she cried passionately,
81 killed you-God pity me. But did not
mean to-I did not mean to-
'Little wife," he whispered gently
"touch me-feel my hands-let me kiss
you. You hear my voice, and I tell you,
Gladys, l am alive"
"You are dead, )" she answered wildly.
Il know it. killed you-you, my hus-
band, whom loved better than my own
ife-oh, my God -
Darling" he said, gathering her up in
his arms, "do you feel my embrace ? Do
you feel my kisses ? Do you hear me say |
love you ~
'Yes," she answered, in dazed way, at
last putting her hand to her head. ''yes l
do"
Slowly the facts presented themselves to
her understanding, and with cry of hys-
terical joy she flung her arms about Lester,
| her husband alive and unhurt and eohhed