The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-05-02
eEurNp THE ROSES.

George Atwood, aag'1iy-
aAnd / saw shall" answered Florence
Atwood. in voice that, for anger, sur
r.assed her husbands.
The s,alwars, handsome young man OF
six and twenty glarei at his better hail,
and his better half, although six years his
Junior. turned the glance Of her natural
protector with interest.
Neither spoke again for few moments
bu. stood facing each other, as husband
aud wife sometimes do.
A prs;tv scene. truly, for a young couple
who had not vet celebrated the first an
nivenslry Of their wedding day.
With a mighty effort George Atwood
mastered his temper, and when he spoke
acain MS tones were cold and even.
Florence, warn you If you 60 TO
Mn. Grey's tonight You will regret 1t "
Then. let me regret il; for 60
SHALL"
George Atwood seized his hat and left
the room without another word.
George. do not leave;he house in such
a uassion.p said Miss sirickney,. following
the voung husband out into the hall
Miss srickney was Florence Atwood's
sinister cousin. and had been witness
10 the scene Of anger.
I'm not in passion now, Mary.
at would he well if you never were
You know Florence is a spoiled child.
Why don't yoa 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, bis smooth face and
cleaning white teeth, that remind one OF
we'll. no matter what. She knows !
hate his attentions to her. He will be at
Mn. Grey's tonight, and if shegoes there
Iwiil never forgive herr and George At
wood strobe away with the air OF man
who meant what he said.
MARY. will you come with me to Mrs.
Crews tonight
"My dear, hope you will put all no
iion Of going to Mrs. Greys out OF your
head. Take care, Florence, how you tri-
fie with your husband he Is bitterly op-
posed to you going, and will not accom-
pany YOU
what absurd nonsense. Why, George
will cat bravelv over all that before he
comes home. He has warned me, Though,
that if 20 TO Ms. Grey's will regret IL
What an idea. Well, I've made mp my
mind to 90. So if you viii not 60 with
me. Cousin Mary, III go alone.
Miss Strickney knew that her willfnl
cousin would do as she said; 50, of course,
she must accompany her for She knew it
would make matters much worse 20 allow
Florence 10 20 alone.
Mrs ,irey's brilliantly illuminated par
Ions were flied with 'fair women and
brave men, and fairest among the fair
was Florence Atwood, her beauty en-
hanced by the glow on hercheek, brought
there bv some remark of August Marsh's,
who was leaning over her chair in a very
loyer-like manner
IL was growing late. and Miss StriclSney
asked Florence to 90 home. But Flor
ence refused to go she begged her cousin
10 remain, for in her secret heart she
thought every moment would bring her
husband.
"l-es. George will surely come" thought
Florence; ''and DO wish August Marsh
would 60 away. 1t would be dreadful If
Georse came and found him at my side "
With this thought Florence turned her
eyes toward the door opposite, and there,
with his face as white and rigid as if his
features we're at rest forever, stood her
husband.
For one moment their eyes met, and
then he disappeared from the doorway.
MARY, want to go home" said Flor
ence. as she gained Miss Strickneys side.
~why. what ails you, child2 You're
looking like a ghost
"Did You see George2n Florence whis-
pcred.
No: was he here"
''Nes: I Just caught sight of him stand
ing in the doorway few minutes ago,
and. Oh - said Florence, with shiver,
Il am 80 sorry came here. His face was
30 deathly white. shall never forget
the way he looked at me tonight"
Florence Atwood entered her own
apartments Her maid, half asleep in the
arm chair. was waiting for her.
.'Has Mr.. Atwood been here?" asked
Florence.
"Yes, madam; Mr.. Atwood was here
about fifteen minutes ago"
Just then Florence noticed a scaled en-
veiope on the bureau.
Miss stri,kney has just entered her
room tell her wish 10 see her, Jane
aud YOU need not return ] shsll not
want you tonight"
Florence picked up the envelope. 1t
was directed to her self, in her husbands 5
handwriting.
Pale and trembling, with a terrible fore
boding Of what was TO come. she tore it
open and read its contents.
IS Florence finished reading the letter
Miss Sirickney entered.
"Oh. Mary my husband-he's gone =
and Florence Atwood fell forward in 4
deadly swoon.
Fire rears 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 woman. All the old self-wiii
that had ruined her life was gone: bsN at
sweuiy-fye she Was far more beautiful
than al twenty.
For the las. i've years she had been 4
wandcrer oler the face Of the earth.
Never despairing, but every day hoping
60 iaeet with the object of her search I;
hut she Only sought in vain; and home
60 her nStire land she came, despair at
fass gRaxing at her heartstrings.
Florence. Mrs. Wharton will be Offend
ell il you don't 90. She is such an old
friead, YOU know"
My dear. do not ask nae 20 60. iwould
only be a skeleton at the feast"
Florence, If you 90 on in this way ycu
uiI he found dead before a month. You
snus rouse yourself ] accepted the in
&ita,isn more for your sake than my own,