The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-03-12
CURED BY A PHOTOGRAPH.

Charlie Cornwall and his wife enjoyed,
during the first year or so of their marriage,
the blssful belief that each had been the
others first love still, although Charlie was
fully persuaded that his Lucy had never
seen anything lovahle in man before she met
him, and although Lucy was convinced that
her husband loved her with true and un-
sdulterated affection, Mrs Cornwall could
not entirely throw of the distrust OF the op-
posite sex which is always to some extent in
nate in woman. Nothing, however, hap
pened to interfere with the harmony and hap
pines of their life together until Charlie,
having answered very tempting advertise
ment in The Field, anent shooting-box in
Inverness-shire which was to be let on appli-
cation to a certain *. Y, H." and having
concluded the necessary arrangements, had
transported himself and wife thither.
Upon the first day after their arrival,
whilst Charlie went round with the keeper
over the ground which it was proposed to
break ON the morrow, Mrs Cornwall was
pretty fully occupied in arranging the little
house 10 their requirements. Experience OF
country-house visits and seaside apartments
had taught Lucy Cornwall, amongst other
things, that the drawers Of washhand stands
are very often the receptacles of the most ex-
traordinary rubbish and odds and ends, but
during all this experience she had never met
with such shock as awaited hct during her
explorations of this little remote Highland
shooting box In one Of the aforesaid drawers
she found photograph of her Charlie, one Of
set which she remembered he had taken
when their billing and coong was in full
swing, upon which was written in his hand
writing, "From your ever true and affection
ate Charlie The photograph had certainly
not been given to man, or such an inscrip-
ton would not have graced it, but had, with
out doubt, been given to some woman, who,
finding herself deceived, had thrown it away
in disgust.
So she waited the arrival OF the uncon-
scious Charlie with that stern joy which
women, as well as warriors, sometimes feel.
Her heart beat quick when a wel-known
step and careless whistle downstairs pro-
claimed the approach of the victim, and she
made no answer TO his "Lucyl Lucyl Where
are youl Here's Highland welcome for a
fellow who has been tramping about since
breakfast-time, and who is tired, wet and
hungry! Hullow
The last ejaculation was the result Of his
first glimpse of his wife's face He saw at
once that something had happened during
his absence, and, therefore, composed his
icdtuito W u siaNhN.
"Why, what's the matter, LucyN he con-
tinued. "You look as if"
Mrs Cornwall cut him short with magis-
terial severity.
"Charles Cornwall" she said, holding up
the photograph, explain this il you please"
The unfortunate man gazed at his own
counterfeit presentment and the color fled
from his cheeks
Explain WHAT Explain this photop he
stammered. "Why, my angel, j wonder
you're not ashamed to keep such a hideous
work of art. 1t was done whilst we were
sweethearting, before l grew my beard.
There's coat There's head of hairl Ha
hal I never did come out well-nevern
"Charles Cornwall" continued his wife,
still keeping her relentless gaze fixed OH the
unhappy mans guilty face, Il found this
photograph in drawer upstairs. Now, how
did it get theref
"My DEAR good soul, how ON earth am 1 to
knows" replied Charlie. II gave it to some
fellow, | suppose, and he"
"No Charles" said his wife, mot to some
fellow When one man gives his carte to an.
other, he does not, as a rule, describe himself
as ever true and effectionate.' Women may
be fools, Charles, but your wife is no fool.
There's mystery here which must and will
have cleared up o Charles. Charles! How
often you have sworn to me that / was your
first and only love!"
About week afterwards, Charlie came in
from shooting, and said
aMy dear, met X Y. r. to-day for the
first time. He is very anxious to know if We
are quite comfortable here and said that hs
hoped very shortly to do himself the honor oi
paying us visit"
HIM Perhaps the lady whom you so sig
nally favored will come with him." said Mrs
Cornwall, with sarcastic emphasis
ave shall see,' replied her husband. "Hs
didn't say anything about bringing lady
with him. Shall ask him tor
"Oh, dear, yes, of course" replied Mrs
Cornwall "You must be anxious to see on,
towhom you are ever true and affection
ate after all this time. Oh yes, ask her by
all means 1t would be such delicate act o.
courtesy toward me. What is Y. Y. rs
namer
"Fordyce - Richard Fordyce," repliet
Charlie.
The mention of this name produced
strange effect upon Mrs. Cornwall, which
Charlie could not fail to note: the colo
left her cheeks, her breathing cam,
hard and fast, and her fingers began Il
twitch nervously.
well, my dear, what's the matteran h
asked.
"Oh, nothing" replied Lucy. 81 dom
feel very well. l think this Scotch air
rather too strong for me. would like to q
south again
Such sudden indsposition of one who ha.
been, up to a few seconds previously, il
robust health made Charlie Cornwall ponder
Why should the name of Richard Fordyc
produce such strange and immediate effect
Evidently there was something below the SUI
face, and as he had during the past few day
undergone an intolerable persecution at tn
hands Of his wife, he was in no mood to leav
any stone unturned by which he could tur
the tables on her. So he replied
"Nonsensel Lucy, nonsense! You haven
been there long enough to get accustomed t
the air, SO don't talk already Of going sout
when we've yet two months to run. Besides
my dear, I'm curious about this affair of th
photograph, and when Fordyce comes +
ask him if he knows anything about it.
On the very next morning Charley, as
was smoking his after-breakfast pipe, sa
Fordyce coming up the garden, but, for re,
sons of his own, he did not allow himself to |
seen, and did not go out to greet his visito
He listened, however, attentively, and aftt
hearing his wife run hastily down stairs,
heard Mr.. Fordyces CHEEKY voice sing out:
"Why, Lucy who would have thought
meeting you in this out-of-the-way corne
We haven't seen each other since"
Here Mrs Cornwall, interrupting, sal,
Hush, Dick, hushl I'm Mrs. Cornwall nos
We must not be as We were to each other f,
II my husband were to know that we We
acquainted, can't think what he would d
As it is, I'm in dreadful fix, on account
photograph of his which found up-stair
and which
At that moment Charlie, who had intent
followed the little chat up to this point, al
who feared that further absence ON his pa
would prevent the truth about the photograE
becoming known to him, appeared,
"Glad to see you, Mr., Fordyce," he said, q
tending his hand ~ don't think you kno
Mrs. Cornwall-but-"
1t was difficult 20 say who looked the mo
uncomfortable Lucy Cornwall or Richal
Fordyce, and Charlie who now saw a chan
Of being able to pay of long arrears of jei
Gus persecution, enjoyed their embarra
ment thoroughly, and continued
"But perhaps you have met beforeP
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