Daily Republican., 1888-04-19
nER HUSBAND.

1t was indeed sad home. .cominl
. tor Major St. Glare. Some MONTH
ago he had married, while on vaca.
tion tour, beautiful Italian girl, muct
against the wishes OF his family. III
had brought his vile home to thu
Cedars and had tried in vain TO inter
est his relatives In her, but she was
treated only with cold kindness. They
resented the fact that she was not En-
gilsh- born like themselves, and hint
ed over and over again to Eric st
Glare that she would make him un
happy.
He knew that In her own country
she had left q lover behind, and th,
thought gave him many jealous
pang, for 1t was plain she often was
home.sick for Italy. He had jus
heard on his return from a friendly
scsndal-moDger that his wife had beer
seen in company with this same lovel
the night before, and he wondered
why abe had said nothing to hin
about Pierre's coming in her letters.
He had reached the top of the drive
now, and stood for moment looking
at the house all ablaze with light anc
cheerful welcome. He heaved sigt
Of relief, and turned for a moment u
view the familiar landscape before en-
tering his home. Ali and away
through the break In the shrubs there
he caught CLEAN OF light-colore(
dress. or was it only splash OF moon
lightf
Mechanically he moved to better
point of view. Yes, ii was dress, Q
woman's dress, and beside tie figur,
1t clothed man was standing, ant
that man was Pierrel
The recognition, the whole scene
seemed like the realization Of somt
horrible nightmare,
Pierre had taken Estelle's hand
now, for he was about TO bid her good
Iby, telling her how 1t was best ht
should 60, lest he should not be able
to bear the sight of her husbands all
sufficing love.
As Eric watched them, great drop,
of perspiration gathered on his brow.
He moved little out of the shadow
that had concealed him, and Pierre's
quick eyes were attracted by the
movement.
"See, Estelle, there is your hus
band. l will not spoil your meeting"
he said axcitedly.
And he dsrted in among the tall,
dark shrubs.
Estelle turned with glad cry OF
welcome, letting the shawl that had
sheltered her. thinly-clad shoulders
fall unheeded to the ground.
But was this Eric, her husband, ad
vancing toward her with face SO pitt
lessly cold and sternP
For a moment her heart stood still
with underlined dread; then she sprang
forward with rush OF relief.
"Ericl" she cried, reproachfully,
stretching out her hands toward him
.-"Eric, you have been illp"
"And your" he asked, with harsh
laugh. els it then true that you have
been false to me2 Where is your COW
ardly companion2 Good Godl
think l could find it in my heart to
kill him here where he stood beside
youl"
Es,elle shuddered, but no words
fell from between her white, parched
lips, and her silence but added to her
husbands jealous passion.
Are you too guilty even to speak.
womanf" he asked, laying his hand
roughly on her shoulder.
She had nothing to say to such
greetings from her husband
Like some dumb stricken animal she
turned to pick up the shawl lying be-
side her,
All, mel -.-.
And she saw through the bushes be-
yond the CLEAN OF two fierce dark
eyes, a white hand and the barrel of a
pointed pistol that glittered like steel
In the silvery moonlight.
"Ericl" she cried, planting herself
before him, and pushing him suddenly
aside.
Ali 1t was a loving, heart-wrung
cry; and close on its silence followed
a bright flash, loud report, and with
his dear name last on her lips, the
faithful. loving wife sank powerless
and wounded at her husbands feet.
Pierre had missed his mark, but
shortly after the occurrence he was
found dead.
"Died from long standing heart
disease, aggravated by severe mental
Shock" was the DOCTORS verdict.
Estelle did not die, though it was
long before her system fully recovered
from the shock and strain 1t had un-
dergone,
The agony of suspense and remorse
suffered by Eric turned his grizzled
hair nearly white.
Estelle is never tired caressing those
silyered locks, and the proud, happy
light in his eyes is treat to see, as
Eric says with reyerent, passionate
love, "Stronger than DEATH All, my
larlingl what have l done to deserve
such love?"
And her only answer is kissl