The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-08-18
In BLACK AND WHITE.

tam a brighter face than that of Ben
sSiement's wife. Ben was doing well
n business, owned Il neat little cot
s'ge and pleasant grounds, and had
~ oflice in the "Arcade," a block
ss*liich was central point for law
Yes and other men of quiet advoca-
zion.
; All Of Ben's friends agreed that
R'SwIfe was immensely charming.
ioslhree years OF married life had
anghlened the beauty of face that
N@ always been attractive, and
ai'pght Il look of repose, with a
s'lslii accession Of dignity, into her
apght brown eyes.
a certaiu winters day Mrs.
,,slsS st'4t took 4 "trip uown t6wu Sh@
lHaSwra! ped in furs, and the flush
Int hNith was on her cheeks. 1t was
not tIen that she was seen in her
husmd's place Of business, but she
thouat she would surprise him this
afterDon by short visit. So she
walki into the broad passageWay Of
the 4rcade, assembled to the first
GALLEY and approached Ben's Office.
She heW that she looked well, and
upomer face was smile of pleas
ufab anticipation at the appreciat-
ing aace with which Ben would be
sureo greet her. For Mr.. Benja-
minjlement had not yet got beyond
the age of admiring his wife,
Oistepping inside Mrs. Clement
was isappointed at discovering that
the flee was empty. Ben's coat and
ovelhoes were in their places, but
his at was nowhere to be seen.
"Ie has stepped out for a mo-
mer ; l will wait" thought Mrs.
CleGent,
Sb seated herself in Ben's Office
cha, directly in front Of his desk,
an6peculateI on the contents of all
thoe legal looking documents in the
pigon holes. Then she looked out
of tie window at the opposite offices
andfinally lifted a sheet of blotting
paper which lay on the desk before
her Its removal disclosed a sheet
of .colored, gilt-edged, per-
funed paper which was partly cov-
erel with a handwriting very famil-
iarto her-that of Ben.
She began reading with idle curl
-sj;1. but quickly startled look
came into her face and her eyes
opened with amazement as she read
the following words
"My Dear Laura:-HoW slowly a
day drags along when it passes with
out one glance at your sweet face. |
am uneasy every hour because | can
not be with you. | can only think
ofyOur blue eyes. your ruby lips anG
your smiles that seems like an angels
blessing, 1t seems an age, though
it is only three days since last took
your hand in mine and looked into
your dear face. But l have good
news. / have arranged matters so
as to 60 to the Adonis Club mask
ball, and shall, of course, expect you
to go with me. Our costumes will
disguise US, and we will have a grand
time. Be all ready by 8 O'Clock on
the evening Of next"
Here this precious epistle abruptly
broke off, it being evident that the
writer had been interrupted and In
tended to finish it later.
Mrs. Clement read it through
twice with trsnsfixed eyes and
blanched cheeks. Then came flood
of returning color and a wild throb-
bing of her heart. What should she
do? Her first impulse was to tear
the note in pieces her next to wait
for Ben and confront him with her
knowledge of his perfdity.
She did neither, but hastily left
the office, crossed the opposite gal
lery and entered the waiting room
Ssaphotographer's studio where she
could sit and think, and at the same
time look across at Ben's Office.
1t was not long before Ben made
his appearance and entered his office
followed by a man whom she recog'
nized as Swartz. a good-looking
young Swede, who was janitor of tbs
Arcade. Swartz also did errands fol
the occupants, and more than once
had taken messages from Ben to his
wife.
After ten minutes SwartZ emerged
He carried square white envelope
in his hand, a smile on his face, and
he walked briskly away.
Mrs. Clement had half a mind to
overtake and question him. but she
shrank from so undignified proceed
ing. After sitting buried in thought
for few minutes she enyeloped heI
face closely in veil, left the photog'