New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18

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music Bertha herself in his home again! Two
years misery cancelled in an evening! In
moment rushed across his memory golden WOO
ing proud wedding, happy monthS anu uie
bitter day of separation. lie turned away. ana
passed TO his room, saying, Good night!
Good night!r replied his wife. without NOV
ing
The strange event that had taken place in
Gerard Stricklands house, prevented none OF
its inmates enjoying wholesome nights resi-;
Bertha, persuaded that to-riorrows COMEDY c9ulu
effect no real change in her ralation to her hus-
band, went TO her room with the feelings OF one
who spends a light in a hotel Strickland. SINH
larly regarding the past as lrremedlable READ IN
bed for half an hour and then fell asleep
TO get married they had both committed
thousand folies. After meeting her at table
dhote, Strickland had pursued her half over
Europe, vanqushed the difficulties of an APP
proach TO her father in his secluded country
house, and ultimately. assisted by the ladys
prayers and tears, gained the old mans reluc-
tant consent to surrender his idolized daughter;
The young married people passionately attached
to each other enjoyed fifteen mcnths OF remark
able happiness, and then came the end.
Bertha became jealous: Devoted to her hus-
band, proud hasty, immcderate in all her thoughts
and emotions, she resented with all the intensity
of her nature q meeting between Strickland
and former fame q dance, note, half-an-
hours conversation. The husband unfortunate
disdanful insoucance of an easy temperament
The inevitable consequence cnsued, bitter mis-
understanding. An impudent servant ma
licious acquaintance half-a-dozen venomous
tongues, dashed the wifes jealousy into madness
An explanation demanded from her husband, was
refused with sneer. He had begun TO think
her proud, unloving woman, and under the
circumstances, judged seltiustfcation redlcu-
lous The following morning she entered his
library, and with marvellous calmness, without
quavering over a single word announced to him
their immediate separation,-for ever. Taken by
surprise, Strickland tried to temporize, acknowl
edged he had been thoughtless did all IN q
mans power to avoid the rupture. Bertha only
replied SO proudly, and with so much severity,
that selfrespect forbade him further self defence
If,nx- cod Sfrtol
his misfortune with quletness, and, in counsel
with his own conscience, concluded his life broken
and ruined by his own want OF tact: Inc nus nus
pie who barely know each other lie devoted
himself to professional duties resumed some OF
his bachelor habits, and amused himself as ne
could. She led quiet almost solitary he,
restricting her pleasures to such simple enjoy
ments as she could provide herself at home. and
seldom appearing in public. On one poiht POI. notn
repeating such stereotyped phrases as bertha IS
we'll, and sends her love. / believe she e, wrote
at at y present very busy. He will not this year be
able to accompany me to the seaside"
II will be easily believed that to go to her
house ana to ask 'T cp al n SAKE ec
for papas sakel" she repeated to herself, to steel
her nerves to the humiliation, which, however,
Stricklands cold courtesy had considerably less
enod. If he would be equally cOnslderate on
the morrow, little spirit, little seli-command
and some clever pretending might enable them
TO be spent in town, to see him off from Victoria,
and, with q polite bow, to separate and return
10 their several exlStences.
Dinner was ended, Mr. Gregory snncd content
ment and happiness, and the two ac,o.e AZ the
opposite ends of the table of necessity smiled too
Their parts had proved difficult. From the
moment OF the old gentleman's arrival they had
had TO call each other by their Christian names,
and TO use the little endearmentS Of two married
people still in love. More than once, word, an
information, that sounded like an echo OF the dead
past made Strickland pale, and Bertha trembIe
Their embarrassment momentarlly increased. Inc
more perfect their assimilation the bltterer was
the secret remorse that wrung the hearts OF pom
Of them, whilst they exchanged for meaningless
sncred signs If affection' With the fear of be-
traying themselves by an lndlscrction was inter,
mixed another a misgiving lest, while they acted
Affection they should be guilty OF real feeilnes
they desired to regard each other.
On the stairs when MIR. Gregory. preceding
them, was for instant out OF sight Bertha
turned back and bestowed on her husband grim
look of fatigue that meant, How are we 10
continue this ?"
in an undertone, wishing 10 help her. But the
Chrstian name (which, because Re had IN tne
last two hours used it so frequently, unwittingly
slipped from his lps caused her 10 turh her lace
away with an angry frown A.,
81 the fire in the back drawing-room Mr.
Gregory appeared actuated by desire TO ask al
the most awkward questions. and TO breach an
the topics of conversation most diihcult ZOE MS
host and hostess. . 49,,
people cannot meet, but have enjoyed my little
visit more than all the pages you have sent me.
There is very little IN letters; Doht you ,ninh
your wife grows handsomer, Strlckland
I tell her every day. 49,
And so he tells me, Bertha. His letters are
all about you. You have a model husband. my
dear"
Il have, papa
Strickland hung his head and regarded the pau
tern Of the carpet. ,
/ should like to see your house, Bertha, -
said Mr.. Gregory. after moment.
The little party set out on tour of the mansion.
After an inspection of several rooms as Strltk-
land preceded them into the breakfast room the
father stopped his daughter and said:
Bertha. where is your mothers Portrait?
"The frame had got shabby and we have sent
it to be regilt," replied the daughter promptly
Where does il generally hang?'
She assigned to the picture, which she had taken
away with her, the first empty space on the wall
Il don't think that o very good place" said
the ola man. All, what woman she was
| What wonderful woman, You should have
known her. Strickland. You owe her. your wife
| When she was leaving me, poor dear! she made me
| promise never TO hesitate TO make any sacrlhce
that should be for Berthas happiness; and So when
! never be happy without Gerard | thought OF
my dear wife, and let her go. l feared, when
l sent her abroad, | should lose her wen, you
were made for each other. Do you remember
your first meeting in Paris =
| They remembered IT.
| The tour Of the house completed, and they
| returned TO the drawing-r0om Gerard and his
wife congratulating themselves not without reason
| that the good papa was not very observant, for
| many a token of something abnormal had been
| plain enough
with common sigh of relief. the two actors
sank into their respective corners of their car
rage after seeing Mr.. Gregory of the next morn
Ing from Victoria. Not word was spoken:
Bertha watched the drops of rain that trHlued
down the windows. Gerard studied the back OF
the coachman. They had again become strangers
Presently, moving accidentally. Strcila1o
| touched his wife's arm.
:" beg your pardon" he said.
Pray do not mention II.
| perfect stranpersl Yet both in the silence were
| anXjousy meditating every event of the last lew
hours remembering the most trif1ing impressions,
! I'D stndrinn all they kiQnlfied As they cdme