Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-09-20


fr"wn. rs he consulted his watch.
'-Why it is nearly dark Are the chill
irrn with hcl?'
NO, sit; The, are in the nursery.
Ny mistress wouldn't take them out
today. Sine said II WAS too cold"
Michael DenZa began to pace the
room in fury. He was naturally pas
sionate and Jealous, like the race he
sprung from. but he had never had his
feelings reused in like manner before.
lie words he had exchanged with his
brother Joseph and those TO which he
had listened 10 in the train, all seemed
To rush back upon his mind like so
many tlashcs of electric light to dis
perse the mist which had blinded him
perhaps 10 his own dishonor. In a
moment the twin demons-doubt and
suspicion-caught hold of him and
worked him up into a state bordering
on madness. Was it possible, he asked
himself, that the words of that vain
glorious, blatant fool in the railway
carriage pointed to his wife? He had
always believed his wife to have been
most injured woman. but the devil
of doubt hal been raised in his breast,
and he was ready to believe the very
worst Aud il, as he said to himself
with clenched teeth, his brothers sus-
picions proved To be correct, and he
found that Ella had deceived him,
there would he murder in that house
before the night was over. He had
been pacing the floor of the dining
room for perhaps a couple OF hours be-
fore his wifes step sounded in the hall.
She came in hurriedly and nervously:
and, when she heard that her husband
had returned home, it seemed to him
that her voice indicated more than sur
prise.
Already she exclaimed faltering-
IL. surely it is not vet! Where is
he, in the dining room?' She opened
the door then. aud stood on the thres-
hold. lovely picture by the tirelight.
In her velvets and furs.
What has brought you home so
soon. Michael'" she inquired.
Have arrived too early for your
convenience. Mrs. Denza'" he answered
in a strange tone. Have cut your
engagements short?"
Il don't understand YOU" she said.
closing the door and advancing toward
him. bat he could hear that her voice
,rcmbled.
Then will explain myself. Where
have you been' Who do you come
FROM"
Mrs. Denza flushed scarlet. She
was \ pale woman by nature. but now
her eyes filled with tears under the
pain of her burning complexion.
Why should you speak to me like
that9" she half whispered; why do
you want To know where / have been?'
Her evident tinidity looked so like
-,.i!, ;i.a. Michael neaxa tel: sure that
his doubts would prove to be realities.
because suspect your errand. Ella
more. | know it. and | am resolved
TO hear the truth"
.'Oh. God" she cried. involuntarily.
and there stopped. Her husband
siaiSed up TO her and grasped her
wrist
Il married you because | thought
you were true woman, and would
stick to me-" he said. land till this
dav never suspected you of double
dealing. But have found you out at
last. aud YOU shall suffer for it Tell
me the truth or will kill you. You
have been with that man.
Her eyeiids fell before his angry
glance.
'.Oh. Michael. for Gods sake forgive
me. she cried.
Forgive you!" be exclaimed. "Yes,
! will forgive you. madam; and l will
tell you how. will turn you on: of
the heuse YOU have dishonored this
very hour; you shall never see me nor
your children again. nor have another
opportunity of deceiving me. As doubt
less you did the unfortunate devil
whose name YOU bore before mine.
1T is a lie" she cried. goaded into
resentment. Il never deceived him.
| was only too patient. He has said
so himself"
Then you reserved the honor for
me. / am infinitely Obliged to you.
But it is for the last time. You shall
not live to deceive ms again"
He advanced upon her with such
threatening air that the woman really
thought her last hour had come.
Mercy. mercy" she shrieked oh,
Michael, spare Inc. and | will tell You
everything"
Tell me the truth then. if you can.
Have you come from meeting another
man"
Yes! yes! have
My God, and you can own it. What
is his name?"
She hesitated. and he returned to the
attack.
Give me his name. or will strike
you To the ground
But sudden courage seemed to
have come to Mrs. Denza's aid. She
drew up her slight figure to its full
height. and looked her husband straight
in the eyes.
Strike we il you will" she answer
ed. land you will learn nothing. But
be patient, and will take you to him.
Then you can revenge yourself upon
him rs You will"
"Yon will take me to him!' he stam-
mered
Il will take you TO him." she re-.
peated. bat coms at once. or it may
be too late"
She ran swiftly from the house rs
she spoke. and Michael Denza, clap
ping his hat .pon his head. followed
her as in dream. He could not be-
lieve it possible she would introduce
him to the very presence Of her lover.
Mrs. Denza walked quickly down sew
eral streets. until she reacned poorer
quarter of the town, formed of small
houses. Knocking quietly at the door
of one Of these. she merely said to the
landlady: Il wish to go upstairs,
again" Then TO- her husband. Fol
low me-" and In another minute they
had assembled the narrow staircase to
gether and entered a bed-ehamber.
Mrs. Denza seemed strangely alter.
ed. Her step had grown majestic, and
her manner almost defiant. as she ad-
vaneed to the bedside. and, pulling
down the sheet, disclosed the paHid
face of an attenuated corpse. t.e
There" she exclaimed proudly. as
she turned to Michael, there ia the
man came from. n,sve .-,ss .s-s.
'Dead" he said, falling backward,
''yOu are footing me, Ella. This is some
trick of yours. What had YOU to do
II, = Ii.