Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-20

ana nc stopped ana kissed the sweet
upturncd face.
Ethel" he said, "will you drive
with me this afternoonp The weather
is SO perfect will try to get away
from business, and will call for you at
three"
Ablush, red az a rose, flushed over
the sweet young face;' the blue eyes
dropped under his gaze, and the hand
that lay in his grew cold, and trembled
slightly.
THANK you. dearest" she returned
slowly. ''you are very kind; but have
promised Aunt Mary to 60 with her
this afternoon to do some shopping.
You know the old lady has not been
long in New Orleans, and she depends
upon me to pilot her about the streets
OF our great and wicked city. I do
not like to disappoint you, Clarence
dear, but can hardly break the en-
gagemcnt made with Aunt Mary yester-
day."
He dropped her hand without a word
and turned away.
For the first time since their mar
riage, one year ago, he left his wife
without the customary goodbye kiss.
All day the thought of that meeting
haunted him. 1t stood between him
self and the long rows Of figures be-
fore him.
He was n thriving business man, and
had much to engross his attention.; but
to-day the ghost that haunted him per-
sistently refused to be laid. He felt
sick and miserable.
About two o'clock, unable to endure
this sickening suspense any longer, no
finding mislaid paper. He found his
wife dressed to 60 out, and never since
he had known her had she looked so
lovely in her handsome walking suit
OF blue silk and plush. with a broad
brimmed plumed hat to match.
She was surprised at her husbands
unexpected appearance. and he fancied
startled also. But she recovered her
composure soon.
"Clarence, she said, while he was
tumbling heap of documents into
inextricable confusion in the little
study, '.did you--did you find note Of
mine this morningP l have mislaid
one; it is not very important. still l
would like to find it."
He set his teeth into his under-lip to
crush back the execration that trembled
| for expression, and his face was very
pale as he turned and confronted her.
Had he delivered that tell-tale letter
then and there into his wife's posses
sion, he might have saved himself
much after suffering and trouble. But
we are all wise when it is too late.
II know nothing of your correspon-
dence, Ethel" he answered little
sharply.
She came to his side to soothe his ir-
ritability with loving kiss.
Forgive me, darling" she cried,
"for annoying you with tritles when
you are tired. Kiss me, Clarence,
won't youP Oh. great Heaven, what
have l done! Have offended you,
darlingP"
For he had turned away coldly, and
refused to grant the caress. Then he
left the room and the house, left with a
cloud upon his brow, and a cold numb
feeling in his heart.
Three o'clock found Clarence Mont
gomery at the upper city park. And
lest he should be seen and recognized,
he had stopped TO the deception of a
disguise. He peered about among the
groups of people, walking or sitting
in pleasant converse, but no trace OF
the woman he sought and the Paul
whom she expected to meet
He waited until it began to grow
dusk; then, with strange despair
closing in upon his spirit, he went
home.
Ethel was there before him; but she
was reading letter-a letter which
she thrust into her pocket with guilty
start at his unexpected appearance.
Later in the evening the bell rang,
and the servant announced "a gentle.
man to see Mrs. Montgomery"
Ethel grew very pale, then flushed
celestial rosy red"
| She arose hastily and went to the
drawing-room.
| Half an hour passed. Clarence
Montgomery, sitting with newspaper
in his hand. but not seeing or needing
one word of the printed matter before
him. was startled by the sound of hasty
footsteps.
The door was flung open and Ethel
appeared before him, perfectly radiant.
In her hand was a small package,
which she deposited upon the table be.
fore him.
| Clarence she cried gayly, "rve
been keeping a secret from you TO,
weeks-a weighty secret too"
"Does 1t concern PaulP" he sneercd
angrily:
| To his astonishment, instead of be.
ing overwhelmed with confusion, his
wife burst into q peal Of musical
"Yes, it concerns Paulr' she cried,
as soon as she could speak Of merri.
ment. "See here, Clarence, l do be.
lieve that you found my note after all,
and that you have been jealous-ac.
tually jealous of Paul Kingston, my
hero! For you did not dream that you
had an authoress for a wife, did you,
sweetheart Nobody knows my secret
but Aunt Mary; she has been going
with me to the publishers in connec.
ton with this business; she went there
with me this afternoon. wanted so
much to surprise you, 30 ! waited tC
finish my story. and make sure 1t was
accepted before told you. 1t is SO.
rial story, for one of the first literary
journals published here. Tonight,
Mr.. Andley, the publisher, called here
himself to pay me-there is the money,
Clarence-and he says he will accept
all the work of equal merit that may
choose to furnish him. Look in my
eyes, my husband. and say that you
forgive me for keeping this secret. :"
"And 'Paur?-and the upper city
park'P" faltered Mr.. Montgomery,
feeling decidedly small at thought Of
those long hours Of weary waiting and