The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-11

| passing their house.
III am glad" he went on, chat you have
some notion of what the dutios'of priests
wife should be. And now for business"
Martial law, or sacerdotal discipline
which is worse, then involved
the poor little ignorant woman
| child or child woman, who had never felt
| pinch or pressure before, in its iron folds
| Knox Fraser gave her a conventional sort
of kiss, but did not respond very
warmly TO her embraces, as he re-
treated to his study, not because
he was lacking in loye, but because
he was busy and pre.occupied Day fol-
lowed day without the slightest change,
without even disagreeable interruption,
which would have been welcome, and But
telcup" grew rather weary of her monoton-
Gus curricnlum-lifc and lessons-tea aud
toast, and eggs and education raptures
and roses, no lilies and languors, no balls or
theatres, or operas, breakfast and preach
ing, prayer book and Popular Educator"
and lectures, cold lunch aud examination,
hald walking and talking and visiting from
two TO five o'clock-a hurried hot dinner,
and a dismal, crowded meeting afterwards
in some study, unsavory court or alley. 1t
is true, mathis one day and evensong the
next varied the ill-round routine. but, in
spite Of these, there was melancholy
sameness about the work. Knox Fraser
was perfect slave, aud refused all invi-
tations to dinner. though he occasionally
rclented, aud relaxed into lunch at a
friends house. And lght-hearted But.
teIcup." who had hitherto been the sweetest
Of heretics In innocent irregularities and
was born Aniinomian, gradually discOv
cred, to her grief ana surprise, that the
higher sacerd0ial life' was no fun at all.
but miserable bondage and a perpetual
penance.
1t was now April, bright, warm weather,
that called her yCuDg nature to enjoyment
ard cheerful conversation, and she was sit
ting alone one afternoon, with bad cold,
which prevented her going out, when the
front door bell rang, and Lord Beausire was
announced. He was cousin TO KNOX
Fraser, about five and twenty. @ genial.
handsome, brilliant officer in the Guards.
"Buttercup" had seen him before for a few
minutes several times and thought him
kind and friendly. His entrance now pleas.
antly nnnctuated stiff page in the omnis-
cicDt Popular Educator"
Head you were i'll, from Knox" he
said, bowling low, "and came to comfort
you Light literature, Ell Whatever is
itY On, Cassell's-very good, of course,
and very dry. Don't you ever see the
newspapcrs?'
He thinks she said, smiling, "women
ought not to read them--they are so full
of fasehocd and abuse and bad things"
WELL he answered in sympathetic
tones, there are lots of good stories aud
travels, which give one a knowledge of
the world, and which you must read to
hold your own in society"
HE says" murmured "Buttercup,"
apologetically, hanging down her pretty
small brown head" II want educating
more, and moulding, and brought into
harmony with my environ ments-yes.
that's it. And SO | am going through
kind OF cu,i--"
"CuTy. combing, | understand" he inter-
rupted ito make You fit and put you in
form. But that's rather slow and dull, is
it not?'
Lord Beausire stopped an uncommonly
long time, and took early tea and made
himself most agreeable. and left Butter
cup feeling sore, and ill-used, and I'M
comfortable, and DISCONTINUED. The next
day he called again, bearing book as an
excuse, and carefully Inquired, first, IL
his Cousin Ito make il all right aud
proper was any better. And he repeated
till the poor little woman child or
child-woman awoke at last with an
aching heart, to find that she had never
really loved her husband, and did truly,
passionately, madly, wickedly love BERTHE
Beausirc and he knew it. Knox Fraser
was far too much absorbed in his ecclcsias-
tical concerns to inquire about his wife's
afternoons, or to notice the great, sad
change that was taking place. On the
contrary, instead OF observing the shadow,
he was pleased at her increasing serious
ness, and stupidity fanced she was shaping
into suitable clergy woman, and would
eventually shake down (the beautiful
brown filly" that she was into perfect
stable companion
The dark hour arrived all too soon
t0ciHs desceRSuS. She met Lord Beausire,
her cousin" at Nine Tussaud's. In
few minutes the condolences were en-
changed, the confessiona were made, aud
the elopemont settled. The young noble
man was not person to lose an opportu.
nifty, or inclined to wait for anyone's con-
science.
NOW or never" he whispered: IF you
really love me you will give up ALL"
'Buttercup' hesitated, and the woman
who hesiiates is lost. Tomorrow" sho
ialtered. Il must see him once more, and
say goodbye
Cant you write" he suggested, "and
tell him you are grateful for Kindness ETC.,
but you married before you knew your own
mind Come. darling"
The noxt minute they were in cab,
driving hard to catch a fast train from
Victoria Station.
What will he say, and think, aud do"
She half sobbod, when | do not return ~
You can telegraph" he replied caress.
ing her, when we have reached France"
II DO care for him little, you know"
she added, land he is so trpstiul-it seems
cruel"
at was wrong of him. was the answer
ito ask girl like you to be his wife, And
you love me most, brown beauty, don't
you 2"
Strange to say, they were seen on the
road by a common friend. who had long
entertained suspicious, and wondered az
Knox Frasers obtpseness.
Poor fellow" he muttered CHS vigil
lance will come too late Its useless to
shut the stable door when the steed is
stolen
They arrived at the station Just in time.
Lord Beausire got the tickets, and they
were stepping into liIst.ciass carriage
when he was unceIemoniously thrust aside,
and strong hand was laid on the fair
fugitive's arm. She looked round and saw
her husband, and nearly tainted away Not
word was spoken by one of tho three.
The guilty lover sneaked Off, feeling almost
blasted by one burning glance from Frasers
indignant eyes. The latter never once re.
buked his wifo nor alluded to the episode,
but lie sternly reproached himself for
neglect He changed his mode of educa.
ton, took her TO Scotland for the regulation
honeymoon. gave her plenty of amusen
and change, and fought shy of
cousins" for the future. And thus :
tercupn proved ever fond and faithful
terWaId as "bis stable com nauion III r.