The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-24

''0h! don't you? Then perhaps you
will please to understand that object
to your keeping me half the night at a
dance and that I will not allow you to
tlirt in that outrageous fashion with
Rockerton!'
''Really?' drawled out his wife, with
a curl on her lip. "When I want your
permission to stay out or to talk to any
one l will let you know
This was too much for the Captain.
He clutched her bare arm in his thin
fingers and raised his hand.
Oh you, madam, do you mean
But at that moment Mrs. Vandeleur
pressed an electric bell beside which
she had been standing, and Immediate
ly the butler entered the, room.
''What do you want'' cried Vande-
leur, glancing savagely at the man.
'.Will you get your master q brandy
and soda, Bimber,' said Mrs. Vandeleur
interrupting; land give him your arm
up stairs. He is not very well. Good
night, dear"
And she swept out of the room, while
Vandeleur, feebly sinking into chair,
his heart palpitating at most alarm
ing rate, made desperate effort to
realize his altered position.
When the pair met next day, Clara
was so sweetly amiablc that her husband
felt almost inclined to believe that his
last nights events had been some hor-
rible nj ghtmare. .
"Are you going to ride this morning?'
he presently asked.
Eyes, 1 think so.'
Would you not like to drive instead
Il rather want some fresh air?' Rid
ing was strictly prohibited to the Cap
tain, on account of his numerous all
ments.
Thanks, no! but you can have the
carriage she answered, coldly.
Vandeleur took out the carriage that
morning, contrary to his usual custom,
and was more irritated than surprised
to find that his wife's attendant cava-
lier was the inevitable Roxerton. 1t
was painfully evident that Clara was
beyond his control, and how to revenge
himself upon her he could not quite see.
To renew his old courses was out of
the question; he had neither health,
strength nor fascination left; moreover
he felt certain that his wife would not
care straw for his proceedings.
During his solitary luncheon, which
consisted of about three parts alcoholic
fluid and one part solid food, he &C.
quired certain amount of spurious
courage and determined to vanquish
his wife-if necessary, by force-to re-
turn to his stage door existence and to
assert himself once more as the dash
ing irresistible Jack Vandeleur. But
the reaction came sure and swift, for
by the time he had been conveyed
home from bis club in a hanson his
valor had oozed away and he felt cowed
miserable and despairing, ready to
make a!mostany sacrifice for quiet
life.
"Are you going out this evening,
Clara?'' he asked. quite meekly, at
dinner.
Eyes, DEAR she answered. LET me
see, have two balls, an at home and a
late supper party
"Can't you stop at home for a single
night?' he whined, querulously.
She lifted her eyebrows in mild
surprise.
II don't see why it should incon.
venience you if I 60 out" she said.
IF you don feel well stay here.''
THAT is impossible snarled the
Captain. "l'll go with you.''
And ne went, and returned about
A. NJ, in state of mental and
physical collapse.
So passed the Captains existence
through the long weary season. Elk.
cept when actually unable to move he
followed his wife everywhere, for his
jealousy would not allow him to rest
His health grew rapidly worse; but he
would not leave town, and he lived
principally on brandy.
1t was after an extra late evening
that Captain Vandeleur made a very
singular request indeed to his wife.
They had just come home, and tn,
Captain subsidized into an easy chair. .
truly miserable spectacle. His wifi,
eyed him as if he were some strang,
animal and was about to leave til,
room, when he appealed to her t.
II want to speak to you," he said.
II am listening," she replied, resum
ing her old position beside the electri,
bell.
"For Gods sake, give up this life
Can't you see it's killing fnep''
| But she made no answer and he
face evinced not the smallest concern
! ''Let's go abroad!' he whinet
pitifully; ''let's get away from here
I can't live long; why won't you lie
me die in peace? I found a letter o
Rockerton's to you yesterday Civ,
him up and I'll reform-I swear will
I'll give up drink; III be devoted t
you. Won't you give me anothe
chancep''
i And the wretched man fell on hi
knees in abject entreaty.
A very curious and unpleasant smile
played about Mrs. Vandeleur's moutI
for a moment and then disappeared
and her face became hard and merciless
She paused a moment, looking at tn
PROSTATE wretch with infinite con
tempt.
"No!'' she answered; sit is my tur1
now. You ruined my young life.
swore to be revenged on you. Thi