Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-12-12
MY HUSBAND.
A Terrible Experience, Much Sui
fering But Final Happiness.

fering But Final Happiness.
My mother was left early widow, with
five children. all girls. We inherited moth
ing from our wcll-bOrn ancestors save we'll
formed noses, white hands and low, cult
waited voices. My mother was "a proud and
courageous woman. SO scarce was money
with us that we early learned TO rise from a
daintily-served dinner cruelty hungry, and
darn and rcdarn out spOtessly clean though
simple dresses. Poor mother, hers was a
stern rule, but think Of the long hours
during which she played the part Of house
keeper, govcrncss and seamstress, and
marvel at her strength Of mind and body.
When was seventeen | was invited 20
spend "a few months with our fathers
cousin, "a Mrs Beaumont, who lived in great
style IN London. She was that most selfish
Of beings, a hypochondriac. That / might
do her some credit, Mrs. Beaumont ordered
suitable outfit for mo, and fine clothes and
good food soon transformed me from pale
. STOPPING, darlfcycd strip Of a girl into a
tall, upright, handsome young woman. She
was too hOpclessly suak I'm self 10 observe
the change, aud IL was not until her favorite
nephew came on his annual visit that the
admiration which his young face too plainly
showed opened her eyes IN the fact that
was pcuniloss beauty the most dangerous
thing In England, whore men aud women
are seldom given In marriage, but often
bought and sold.
A scene was Troublesome, therefore my
hostess contentcd herself with declaring
herself worse, and ordering her doctor to
prescribe sea air Jack Beaumont was re-
qucstcd 90 accompany her 90 the Isle OF
Wight, and WIS packed on homo. | shall
never forget my mothers start OF surprise
when she saw The change In my appear
nncc All that evening she remained very
thoughtful, and | began % fear that my
unexpected return was hardly welcome. until
twodays later, when with her sweetest smile
she informed me that was TO put on one
81 my most becoming dresses aud behave
my prcttiCst, as she expected an old friend
20 luncheon. My younger sisters were
ordered OF 10 partaho OF n cold dianer in
the schoOl-roOm, and my mother and /
awaited Lord Silurnn In tho drawing room.
knew him 20 be- one Of the oldest as %
title Of Englaud's peers, and had heard a
whisper that mamma might have been his
countess had her youthful beauty been
made more attractive by tho hundreds Of
thousands Of pounds storing which the lady
he eventually married bad brought him.
He came, a grim-faccd, stifi old gentle
man, who put "a double cycglass on and
d.. scanned me closely. a glance Of mutual
intelligence passed between mamma and
his Lordship, which did not tend 10 put me
a my case. However, talked and smiled
a. well rs / could, with beating heart.
After luncheon was ordered OF for a walk
with the others, aud that evening my
mother kissed me, saying; "Lord Silurian
will bring his son Lord Trenton 10 call on
wednesday, There was something I'm her
hook aud tone chat sent me 10 my bed with 4
'sudden sinking Of heart
What need 10 dwell on tho wretched do
tails OF the next few weeks Lord Trenton
came, saw, and, as u eventually proved,
conquered. ! thought him a most vacant
youth. but my mother explained that he
was very much struck with me, and "such
n dear, simple. shy boy, Notwithstanding
his great wealth and high position"
Tho wedding day came, and l had seen
NV bridegroom but twice. On these 90
casions his father had been IN the room.
Lady Silurian had not seen at all; her
husband brought me n magnificent tiara,
neck lace, earrings and bracelets Of dia-
monds-tho Silurian diamonds were famed
and regretted that his wife was too great
An invalid 10 present them in person.
Ihave small recollection OF the ceremony;
but remember that my father-inrlaw bent
over and guided his sons hand when ha
sigued the registry. laughing, aud calling
him n nervous fellow. 1 wrote my maiden
name, Olive Chase, for the last time, and
Immediately after l. accompanied by my
father-in-law aud husband drove TO Lime
stone Towers, the home Of the Silurian
family.
1'bere made a hasty dinner alone in one
OF the magnificent rooms which had been
set apart Tor me, and slipping on "a gorgeous
wrapper tried 10 forgot my woes In the
r,ages OF some OF my favorbe books. Ere
long nv tired head fell back on the sofa
cushion aud slept
1 awolsc with a cry and a sense Of terror
A number Of wax lights shed a soft
radiance over the handsome ROOM The per-
fume OF rare flowers filled the air, and bend
ing over the couch on which | lay, his hot
breath tanning my cheek, was the man
had married. with an expression on his face
and I'M his evil, shirty eyes, which God grant
Imav never seen on any human face again.
For a moment was paralyzcd with n feel
ing Of sickeuing terror, then i rose from the
sofa aud moved towards the table.
"Whcrc arc you gongfH nc cried. Not
40 fast Dou't you know you sre mino
nowf"
In an instant he had me In his arms, aud
was holding me 30 tightly clasped In his en-
bracc that painted for breath; while we
went Ons
ayes, you're mine, safe enough now. I've
not away from that old devil who's been
standing between IA. He thinks I'm saio
with Black. He's deep ono. Yes, you're
mine, and I can tear Jour great, sad, black
eyes out, or pinch your white flesh. or bite
you until The blood comes aud strealxs you.
beautiful limbs.n
sOhr rasped. ''if you are mortal, and
not aficnd take me 70 Lady Siluriani taxa
mo TO your mother"
Ny words called forth the widest laugh
tor.
LADY siiurian." he cried, you'll never
sco her; she's mad, as mad a. halter;
curse her, that's where got Il from. We're
all mad but that old devil Of a father Of
mine. and he'd be mad too. n he were not
the devil Your mother wanted the money.
Won see. and she's got a.; she's got E50000
and I've got you"
The look which ne cast on me froze my
very blood. bat by this time began 70 see
all too clearly the nature OF tho snare into
(which had failcn.
4 moved forward. but he seized my dress
and placed his hand over my mouth and
made his tecth-mark In my shoulder
The pain was 80 intense that I almost
tainted, my knees gave way and fcll 10
she floor
"By 0odri nc cried, "doad aireadyr' Tho
cxclamation gave me an idca; what u
were 70 fcign DEATH / acted on Il aud
lsrs~r.l,r .eAve A-1a r,ovire elop,'i-- ~