Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-14
Then aoithoet a shilling n, his pocket he
avent to his dinner.

~oSS''SNsN w oeH'Ns'sS I|NS'sSe
aUent to has dinner:
drank bottle of champagne 1t is clear
that Mr.. Hervey, late 1880, had liberal views
as to the treatment due to himself. He had,
moreover, a lot of leeway to make up.
He spent the evening smoking the hotel
cigars and drinking the hotel whisky and
water. Pleasant as these occupations We're,
he retired to rest early. While he had been
soaking his hands he had cast longing eyes
upon the beauties of the white-covered bed,
and had mentally contrasted its soft charms
with the asperities Of the strip of sacking
which had for so long been his resting place.
Sweet, truly sweet are the uses of adversely
when they teach a man to enjoy the simple
comforts of life as Maurice Hervey that night
enjoyed his bed He reveled in the clean
white sheets, he nestled on the soft mattress
and yet softer pillows. The profusion of
blankets filed his soul with a rapturas,ea
warmth. And as he fully Realised the con-
trast between the innocent luxury he was
enjoying andjohe discomforts of an iron cell
eight feet by four, he vowed very proper
VOW: that no ill-advised conduct of his.own
should force him to renew his acquaintance
with prison fare and discipline. The love Of
luxury has saved many a man from going
wrong.
10 sleep, ''there is no need for foolery of
that kind. am master of the situation.
can eat, drink and be merry for the rest of
my life" There are many men who would
sleep the sounder had they such thought to
rock them.
In the morning, after breakfast, it occurred
to Hervey that moneyless man staying at
hotel is in rather precarious position.
Pleasant as was his newly-found liberty,
there was work to be done before he could
with clear conscience enjoy it. So he
sailed forth, trudged through number Of
streets, and at last reached quiet back road
full of unpretending little houses At one
II these houses he inquired for a Miss
Hartin. who had lodged there some four or
fv years ago. Miss Martin, he was In
formed, had left ever SO long-left without
giving an address. Hervey's heart grew
sick. In his haste to once more taste the
luxnries of life he had been too precipitate.
He knew that unless he could find the person
he wanted it would have been better for him
y have kept his good conduct money intact.
The woman of the house, who noticed his
dismay, added that the shop at the corner
might know what had become of Miss Mar
tin; so to the shop he went. He was in luck.
He learned that his friend lived about a mile
away; moreover, that she was now Mrs.
Humphreys. AS he heard this supplement-
airy piece of news the man laughed so Curl
ously that the shopwoman eyed him ask
ance.
He walked to the new address, that of an
other little house in another quiet street. He
knocked. a good-looking, respectable young
woman, carrying baby, and followed by
toddling child, opened the door, She gave a
low cry, and staggered back against the
wall. Hervey raised his hat with mock
politeness, and without invitation entered
the house. The woman called to some one.
who came and relieved her of her children.
She then opened the door of sitting-room.
into which she followed her visitor. Heryey
threw himself on a chair, and looked 40 che
woman with satirical SMILE AS vet not a
WORD mad passed between them. The man
was the first to break silence.
"Well, Fanny" he said mockinolv. ESQ
you are married, and have forgotten 1nes''
MOL am trying to forget you.n She
spoke bitterly.
And you can't. That's compliment.
considering the years of separation"
The woman looked at him in the face
Maurice" she said, 81 am married.
married kind, true man, who loves me
and works for me and for our children. IT
knew great deal, not all about my past vet
he took me and trusts me. You will sneer
when tell you I am trying to be good
woman and good wife. You always sneered
at anything good. But, Maurice, for the
sake of what we were once to each other.
spare me now. Let me live in peace, and see
you no more"
She spoke In solemn earnest such earnest
ness that the mans light laugh seemed dis.
cordant. my dear girl" he said, 81 have
no wish to tempt your feet from the paths
of domestic virtue-no wish to harm Won. /
have finer fish to fry. But you may remem.
Der that when certain circumstances rem.
dered it imperative-curs It'll 1 can speak
plainly to you-whenI learned that the war
rant was out, when I knew that the game
was up, placed a little packet in your fond
hands to keep until better times. Where i,
it?'
The woman flushed, and for a moment did
not answer. Her prayer for mercy had beer
genuine; her wish to see him no more ar
honest utterance; but years ago she had
given this man all woman has to give
given it without consideration, without
price. And now, SO far as he was concerned
the only memory of the past which linked
them together was but of certain thing LEFT
in her charge.
He saw the flush, he saw the hesitation.
and, of course, attributed both to the wrons
motive His brow grew black. ''By Cdr
he cried: 'sif it is not forthcon,nr-n
n. I