New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-17

that Adela do had been listening was now replaced
by a sharp fear lest this had been the case. Thor
rooms were so small, end so closely connected one
with another. She hurried to the door that gave
upon the intermediate passage between sitting-
room and bedchamber She opened II hastily:
Adelaide immediately crossed the threshold ana
entered. .
She was very pale, but apparently Quite com,
posed The intruder was still seated as she faced
her but promptly rose, while frOwn of ugly
import replaced what had been an expression OF
Oh said the stranger a little defiantly and a
little sneerngly. while she seemed at once to com
prehend who Adelaide was q it's you yOarseI. is
Adelaide held her mothers hand tightly now.
@Yes," sho said, looking full at the young woman.
9 heard"
III.
A. she spoke. Adelaide receded several PAGES.
drawing her mother with her. The young woman
gave q nervous laugh. while she scanned Adelaide
from head to foot. with that rapid scrutiny which
her sex can so tellingly employ toward its own
members
"You look as IL you wanted me to CO." she said,
with little Impudent sidelong toss of the head.
aldo want you to CO." said Adelaide firmly. al
insist upon it." She pointed to the door opposite
that by which she herself had entered.
YOU'RE not curious, oh y
al am not curious"
@You don't want to see those lettersp
q / refuse to see them"
"Oh. very WELL
The intruder walked toward the door leading
nto the outer hall. When shc had reached it. and
taken tho knob with one neatly gloved hand she
half-turned and flashed savage, malicious look
over her shoulder.
avery well. You'll be sorry, that's all. You'll
wish you'd bought the letters. | don't ask big
price for them. considering what's In them"
She a. once left the room. samming the door after
her. Adelaide went to the door aud turned the
KEY in the lock- Then she dropped into a chair. and
let her head fall backward, closing her eyes.
Adelaide !" cried her mother. hurryins toward
her.
But she rose before Mrs. Vanvesor had reached
her side add you think hal tainted mamma 7"
she said, claspmg both her mothers hands and
smiling "Tm not of the iaInting kind-you must
know that"
she's-she some horrld merccnary creature
exclaimed Mrs. Vanyclsor piteousy. searching her
daughters face as if IN dread Of finding desperate
emotion there. al wouldn't bother a bit about
her Adelaide, il were you. / wouldn't give her
another thought. Perhaps Archie has been fool
sh years ago. Ncn are sometimes foolish, my
Adelaide smiled again; int she was very pale
Yes, know, she said. rs it sho Addressed her own
thougitS. " Men are sometimes foolish"
" Int | do hope. Adelaide, YOU will say nothing 70
him. At such time 1t would DO dreadinl-qaiIe
dreadful
" shall say nothing
"It-it isn't the same with item. you know as il
is with ~. Everybody understands that, my dear
They 20 moTe-mOro INTO the rOrid BESIDES. she
may be horrible impostor; dare say shc is.
And she told me she wasn't baokmaer hut OF
course that was falschoOd Probably-gl0st prob
ably she hasn't sign OF "a real letter Now when
lac comes this even g-the last evening, you know
i trust you will DO just the same as always"
q shah be just tbs same rs a!ways mamma"
Recollect. my dear, that men live such different
lives from ourselves.
Yes They live very different lives" said
Adelaide She seemed 10 address her own thoughts
again but there ring OF solemn irony in her
tones which her mother possibly quite failed TO
detect. The poor disturbed lady was only too
grateful TO witness how senslbly and placidly
Adelaide bore IT all.
The wedding. on the following day, was a very
quiet, pretty, and yet impressive affair: Mrs.
HudsontOn Nowburgh looked majestic and distinct
i've in a new Partisan costume OF dark amber velvet.
with bonnet To match. Mrs. NanveisOr wept Just
enough during the ceremony to give It the proper
touch of humane docorum. Anything moro post
lively lachrymOse would have been out Of taste;
the match was too magnificent for that: she was
losing her daughter as maiden only TO regain her
a hundredfold more desirably rs matron.
After the farewells in church Mr.. and Mrs.
Archibald Champlin at once drove away. They
remained in Washington week afterward, for
two more weeks, they went further South. catching
glimpse of Florida, and then returning northward
As they met Mrs. vanvelsor in the hall of the
brilliant and tasteful Madison Avenue abode.
Adelaide's mother silently told herself that the
1--WE have had the most delightful trip" Adelaide
said to her mother little later. when they were
alone together. "Even the weather seemed TO be
agreeably conscious that il was cur honeymoon
"And that person. Adelaide Z" venturcd Mrs Van
vesor. You kept yonr resolve about saying nothing
nothing whdteuerT
Adelaide gave hor mother q little slap on one
cheek Be quiet mamma" she demonstrated,
smiling, and yet with serious light IN hor hazel
'SOh I'm so gladw murmured Mrs vanvelsor.
You've really forgotten all about it, then. That
was right, prudent, wiae my dear. As for the
threat, you know, 1t was all humbug. L never
feared she would carry 1t out Did you ~
No. But you did" said Adelaide. turning away.
She did not speak another word on the subject.
and her mother saw that she wished it permanently
laid at rest.
But the memory Of II haunted her good deal in
secret. Ii was the cloud on her happiness.
Still. her nature Of the sort TINT would have
despised any reference 10 II before her husband.
Playing tho role OF cayiilcr az Arches past
mean and petty thing in her eyes II some day be
chose to bell her ali about the matter, she would DO
most willing recipient of such confidence.
She lad often thought the question OF why
certain acts in men are lightly estimated by society
at largo. while the acts in women are held TO
DO grossly sinful. There was 10 her mind an i'm
monse injustice here. which the growth of moral law
must at some future time rectify. The change would
never come In her own day. but still she felt that
il would come. few of the great truths taught by
modern masters OF philosophy and ethics had
reached her in a sort Of indirect way. She had not
stance, association. had prsclnded that. But she
had formed her ideas Of tho sAnetity and obii-
CATION OF marriage. She meant 20 be tho best Of