The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-04
BEHIND THE ROSES.

George Atwood, angrily.
And ] say ! shall" answered Florence
Atwood, in a voice that, for anger, sur
passed her husbands.
The stalwart, handsome young man IL
six and twenty elared at his better half,
and his better half, although six years
his Junior, returned the glance of her
natural protector with interest.
Neither spoke again for a few mo
mcnts. but stood facing each other, as
husband and wife sometimes do.
\ pretty scene, truly, for a young
couple who had not yet celebrated the
first anniversary Of their wedding day.
With a mighty effort George Atwood
mastered his temper, and when he spoke
again his tones were cold and even.
Florence, | warn you If you go to
Mrs Grey's tonight you will regret itv'
Then, let me regret 1t; for go | shall"
George Atwood seized his hat and left
the room without another word.
"Georgel do not leave the house in such
a passion, " said Miss Strickney, following
The young husband ont into the hall.
Miss Striokney was Florence Atwood's
%siinster cousin, and had been a witness 10
the scene Of anger.
Tim not in a passion now, Mary
III WOmld be well if yOu never were.
Nou know Florence is a spoiled child.
Why don't you reason with her quietly,
George
Haven't | reasoned with her until |
am tired. She knows | dislike August
Marsh dislike his bland manner, his
fascinating smile, his smooth face and
cleaning white teeth, that remind one OF
well, no matter what. She knows |
hate his attentions 10 her. He will be at
Mrs. Grey's tonight, aud If she goes
there will never forgive her" and
George Atwood strobe away Will the air
OF q man who meant what he said.
Mary. will YOU come with me TO Mrs.
Grey's tonight
My dear, / hope You will put all no
ton Of going 10 Mrs.. Grey's ont of your
head Take care, Florence, how you
trine with your husband, he is bitterly OPP
posed TO your going. and | will not ac-
company You.
What absurd nonsense. Why, George
Will get bravcly over all that before he
comes home. Tie has warned me, though,
that il / 20 10 Mrs. Grey : / viii regret it.
What an idea Well, I've made up my
mind 10 go. Soif YOU viii not 90 with me,
Cousin Mary. III 90 alone
Miss Strickney knew that her "illful
cousin would do as she said; 50, of course,
she must accompany her, for she knew it
Wonld make matters much worse To allow
Florence 90 90 alone.
Mrs Grey brilliantly |illunined parlOrs
were filled with fair women and brave
men, and furcSt among the fair was
Florence Atwood. her beauty enhanced by
the glow on her check, brought there by
some remark of Mir August Marsh's, who
was leaning over her chair in a very lover
Ike name
II was growing late, and Miss Strickney
asked Florence 10 90 home. But Florence
refused To- 20. she begged her cousin to
remain. Tor ia her secret heart she thought
every moment would bring her husband.
Yes, George willsurely come, ~ thought
Florence. and / DO wish August Marsh
would 20 AWAY. 1t would be dreadful if
Georco came and found him at my sidel'.
with this thought Florence turned her
ewes toward the door opposite, and there,
with his face as white and rigid as if his
features were al Test forever, stood her
husband
For one moment their eyes met, and
then he disappeared from the doorway.
MARY. / want TO 90 home, " said Flor
euce us she gained Miss Strickney's side.
why. what ais you, child' You're
looking like a ghost"
Did YOU see GEORGE" Florence whis-
pered.
No, was ne here"
Yes, Just caught sight of him stand
iug M the doorway a few minutes ago.
and. oh,' said Flor:0ce, with q shiyeF, II
... -. .,, I ,o B. bava Hfa fora ~ So
deathly white. | shall never forget the
way he looked at mt tonight"
Florence Atwood entered herown apart
monts. Her maid, half asleep in the arm
chair, was waiting for her.
Has Mr.. Atwood been hereY' asked
Florence.
Yes, madam; Mr.. Atwood was here
about fifteen minuteJ ago"
just then Florence noticed a sealed en- |
yelope ON her bureau.
Miss Sirickney has Just entered her
room, tell her l wish 10 see her, Jane, |
and YOU need not return. | shall not
want you tonight"
Florence picked up the envelope, 1t
WAS directed TO herself, in her husbands
handwriting.
Pale and trembling, with a terrible
lUitDfNlAlE VI nUA hA1 w NViAltt SbO WV
IL open aud read its contents.
As Florence finished reading the letter,
Miss Strickney entered.
'Oh, Mary my husband-he's gonep'
and Florence Atwood fell forward In a
deadly swoon.
Five years passed away. Florence At
wood SAT in the bright, little sitting room
OF her spinster cousin.
Five years of repentance IN sackcloth
and ashes made Florence Atwood a pale,
sad faced All the old selfwill
that had ruined her life was gone; but at
IS She was far more beautiful than at ~.
For the last five years she had been a
wauderer over the face Of the earth.
Never despairing, but every day hoping
to meet with the object of her search; but
she only sought in vain; and home to her
native land She came, despair at last