Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-03-31


no took the meadow-path which led to
his beautiful country home.
When he came in sight of the house,
lawn, orchard and garden, q look of
of proprietorship, filed his face.
He was handsome man-tall, erect
in figure and graceful in bearing, and
Just in the prime of his manhood. He
had few faults, and the leading one
among them was his excessive selfish
ness. In that he was not exacting,
perhaps, and never invaded the rights
of others; still, in his attempt to get
out of life all the zest that was in it,
he lived very much for himself.
His farm was large and valuable
one. 1t was well titled and well kept,
and there was not dollar due upon it.
His yacht was at anchor in the bay {;
his stable was filled with thoroughbred
horses; his bank account was plethoric;
his credit was unlimited.
He had no children, but lovely,
quiet, intelligent, sclf-possessed wife,
of whom any man would have been
proud, WAS mistress in his lordly home.
A woman with II sweet, placid face,
with thoughtful blue eyes, with q low,
musical voice, with timid, caressing
manners, with a head to plan, vet with
u heart that might lie broken.
He had arrived at nine o'clock in the
morning, whereas she did not expect
him until nine in the evening His
early return would be a pleasant sur
prise to her, to lie sure, and with that
thought uppermost III his mind, he
stepped softly uron the veranda and
looked in ut the open window.
Suddenly baleful light came into
his black eyes; deadly pallor swept
his face; his lips parted with q gasp;
his right hand fumblcd nervously for a
pistol which he carried in his hip
pocket.
Within the draw,ng-room he saw q
man kissing his wi e-and that man
was Richard Brandon, his lifelong,
most-trusted friend, the discovery of
whose perfidy almost dumfounded him.
In second more n great sense of
relief came to him, for he saw that his
wife was not passive under the caress.
She tore herself from the mans grasp,
and dealt him a smart blow in the face.
"Coward" she cried. migrate, per-
fidious friend!"
She pressed one hand against her
heart, her breath coming and going,
her face flushed with anger, her blue
eyes aglow with Indignation. Never
mad she looked so lovely in the eyes of
her husband, or in the eyes of the
friend who had wronged him.
Mr.. Brandon, this is an outrage for
IA, s,l. 4.
in rcpEcssed vchemence. "Were l to
tell my husband"
"Oh, but you never will" the man
interrupted, recover ing from the sur
prise caused by her fierce resentment.
ale would call me to account. 1t
would result in his death or mine, or
of both of u.s."
The possibility of such result
brought dusky pallor to the young
wife's face.
And believing that you presumed"
she said, with ineffable scorn.
Her assailant grew red in the face,
for he was not utterly devoid of prin-
ciple.
Mrs. Denham," he slowly replied,
II might offer mu h in eXtenuation of
my conduct. | might insist that it adj
is OF an Interpretation other than the
one You choose to place upon it.
at was an inexcusable insult, sir"
she cried.
"But not premcditated, he replied
81 have been strangely drawn toward
you. pitied your lonely life. | felt
that you were neglected. l saw that
you sighed for genial compromising.
To be sure, you di | not make me your
confidant, yet div ned that my society
was agreeable to you. Your husband
does not appreciate you. He is wrap
ped up in his yacht, his fast horses, his
giddy round of pleasure. He is so
utterly selfish that -"
stop just there!" she imperiously
ordered, with n quick, angry gesture.
DO you think so meanly of me as to
suppose that l would allow you to
traduce my husband, even though
every word were true?"
Mrs. Denham, l know that have
offended you, pleaded he. al forgot
myself. Your lonely life, the inditfer-
rnee of your husband, and your su,
preme 10 ,eliness
rupted, you are continuing the insult.
| misunderstood you little-you mis-
understood me great deal more. 1
once respected you good deal-now l
do not respect you at all. Nay, &c.
spise you. l am shocked, but hold my
self blameless, for never by thought.
word or act led you to suppose that
you could humilate me- in this wav. |