Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-05-23

was but eighteen-only child. The
gravity of his thirty years could live In
the shadow but I-ah, me with me
| life was all shadow, unless glinted by
loves sunshine.
You are lonely. Nannette, Dennis
said to me one morning as we sat down
to our solitary breakfast, the stately
butter moving about in grim and silent
dignity. Let us ELL the house with
guests. Invite whom you please you
cannot fill it too full to please me.
As he uttered the last words he sigh.
ed, and something like pain shot
through me, as IN it I read his utter
weariness, and his almost unconscious
unwelcoming of any diversion from the
enmui of his home.
At least his wish should be grati6ed;
and at dinner that day we exchanged
notes as to those whose invitations to
visit US were already speeding on the
way, while Dennis seemed to arouse
from his apathy in devising methods
for their amusement.
Among the guests who gladly came
IN answer to our summons was Herbert
Lyle. He was my husbands friend and
thought when I first saw him, the
very handsomest man ever met.
BY a singular coincidence, the night
of his arrival was the same on which l
welcomed Meta Gray. l had not seen
her for more than year, and her beau.
ty as it burst upon me, absolutely daz.
zled me.
Dennis took her in to dinner and seat.
ed her at bis right hand. Always the
courteous host, / saw now, by his spark
ling eye and eager manner, that his
attentions no longer bored HIM.
The indifference which had been my
portion all these weeks had fled. His
marriage de convenancc was forgotten.
It was this, perhaps, which caused me
to keep up the fire Of repartee and jest
with Mr.. Lyle, who sat at my left.
Once or twice through the even I
fancied Dennis eye was fixed inquir-
ingly on me, as, having adjourned to the
drawing-room, still kept his place by
my side.
4 admire your choice Of friends [
said to my husband, as, having hidden
our guest goodnight, turned at the
door of my dressing room. Mr.. LYLE
is one of the most agreeable men haye
ever met
You think SOP he answered. Yes ;
my choice is always good, even when it
extends to wife
All, he had his revenge! The hot
tears scalding my cheek, when there
was no eye to note them, bore witness
that his taunt had told.
The week following, at Dennis sug-
gest,on, we gave ball. As my maid,
having put the last touches to my toilet,
left my room dispatched on some errand,
my husband entered and stood for few
moments fdely regarding me, his face
so white, so stern, it forced from my lips
the question
dennis, what is the matter
Nothing he answered. 4 was only
trying to realize that you were mine,
then turned and left the room.
When the door had closed upon him,
I looked long in the mirror before which
l sat. I wore tonight my wedding
robes. Was not the beauty for which
he married still there? Was it so hard
a lesson for him to learn, that he must
need it Ger and DER in order to school
himself to patience Or was it that a
beauty beyond mine had at last awak-
ened his torpid heart. and aroused him
to the knowledge that the chains he
wore were those Of slavery?
The thought brought the hot flush to
my cheek and sparkle to my eye.
When my maid returned she exclaim-
ed, at the change in my appe arance ::
'Ah, madam now Is charming! What
was wanting, monsieur's presence has
produced. Madam will be the belle !
With her words as mockery in my
ears, descended to the drawing-room
and soon, standing by my husbands
side, was busted welcoming my guests.
That duty over, gladly accepted
Mr.. Lyle's proffered arm, and let him
lead me where he would.
you look flushed Mrs. Worford. he
said. 1 almost added weary, if it were
possible to associate wearlness with you.
l am going to leave you hear for mo-
ment while I get you an ice.
This as he entered the conservatory,
with its tempting shade and coolness