River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-04-03

home when Edith was so wiRningly
sweet and charming that he wondered
whether or not she meant it. or was
only trying to cheat him into disbe-
lief of her recklessness.
But Edith's curious conduct-times
when she was almost extravagantly
gay, times when she was dull, pale and
sad-wOre on him.
She never asked him to stay at home
in the evenings nOw-Of course she pre-
ferred 20 have him out of the way so she
could have her own good time with her
friend" Harry said to himself. iron
ically, for in his very heart of hearts
he could not bring himself to say
''lover
His faith in his wife was too strong
to admit doubt of aught beyond indis-
erection and yet he was agOnizingly ieal-
Gus.
Then one evening the climax came,
when Harry went home for dinner half
an hour earlier. and found Edith read
ing a note. which she tore in fragments
the instant he crossed the door-sill-
tore and threw it into the fire with
flushed face and startled action.
Mrs. WOrthington wants me to go to
her room tonight i suppose you will
be going out, Harry"
He knew she was telling what was
not SO.
Yes, am going out to the club"
In his heart he hated himself for the
falsehoOd he told, for he knew he had
made up his mind to watch his wife
that night and see if his jealousy were
warranted or not
Edith's cheeks glowed and her eyes
sparkled, and she seemed in state of
delicious excitement at dinner.
Then she dressed in becoming toilet
of black silk, with filmly laces at wrists
and throat. and rich jewelry-rather
elaborate for a tete-a-tete with Mrs.
WOrthingtOn. Harry thought as he
smiled bitterly behind his newspaper.
He purpOsely prolonged his stay half
an hour beyond his usual time, and
then was vexed that L lith should show
no signs Of perturbation.
shes already so versed in deceit
that she can control her fear and impa-
tience."
Finally he put on his overcoat, hat
and gloves and went out to take up his
position on the opposite side of the
street, where he commanded the doors
and windows; and ten minutes after
wards a tall. black-mustached gentle
man drove up and rang the bell, and in
a moment more his wife-his sweet, be-
loved Edith, whom he never loved so
well as at this moment of her falsity-
his wife came down, and the two were
driven away
l. -. L.
passing cab, and the chase began and
ended at the door of Exeter Hall. and
Harry bought his ticket and took his
seat as near as he could get TO Edith
and her-her-''friend."
1t was pale, haggard face that
watched them all that evening, and
pair of eyes that were pitifully panied
and indignant and passionful, as he
noted how perfectly happy the two
were-hOw Edith, whose sweet reserve
and shyness had been one of her great
est charms 70 him-how Edith was so
free in her manner to him. and how adj
mirably the gentleman returned her
pretty little familiarities-
Ii was an hour of torture to him.
lie sat there remembering all the
times he had neglected Edith-how she
had so coaxingly asked him to stay at
home or take her.
He realized, as he had never done be-
fore, what a sudden and great change it
had been to her TO leave her home,
where there was such large family of
brothers and sisters, and consequently a
great deal of young company.
He began 70 appreciate how careless
he had been of the happiness intrusted
To his keeping.
Great God. What if that negligent
carelessness should result in
He dared not think it
He sat there repentant, indignant.
Jealous, remOrseful, ready to fly at that
handsome, dashing fellow who assumed
such an air of proprietorship over his
foolish, silly little wife-the lovely lit
tie girl, who, not having her husbands
society, had sought cOmpanionship else
where.
lie never heard chord of the divine
melOdieS-he never needed the storms
of applause.
All he heard, all he saw was Edith's
occasional low laugh, her beautiful
flushed face as she turned her profile to-
wards him.
Then the performance was over.
He followed them closely as he dared,
until he saw them take their carriage,
and then the second chase began, that
ended-at the door of their house, and
then. from inside his own cab, he saw
the black mustache sweep across Edith's
mouth and he heard her low, sweet
goodnight
And Phil, don't forget to drive to the
park tomorrow five tomorrow"
"Phil, Phil"
1t had come to the permitted famili-
arity of names. had it?
And Harry thought, as he dismissed
his cab and ran upstairs, two steps at a
time, that if ever a man had just cause
t. shoot another he had.
Edith stood before her dressing-case,
slowly drawing off her gloves, when he
dashed in. pale, wrathful.
O"What does this mean? Where have
you been?'
IL he thought to confront her in a
falsehOod he was mistaken.
She flushed crimson. but answered
promptly:
Il have been to Exeter Hall Have
committed an objectionable sin?"
You have done the next thing to it
Who is that-that man with whom you
dared to 60? Do you know that you
have run the risk Of losing your char
acter-yOu, a married woman, going TO
a place OF public entertainment with
man who is almost stranger to you?
Edith, have you any idea of what you
have dOne?"
She turned her face, pale enough now,
70 him.
Harry. have you any idea of what
you have done? Night after night /
have stayed here by myself until l
wonder / did not run away and go home.
/ begged you to stay, or let me go some
times-not always and you laughed at
me. And then. when / found some one
who paid me the attention you should
/ have done, you talk to me this wayl l
will tell yOu honestly, the gentleman
who took me is very dear to me. l love
himi There, And if you won't be good
70 me he willr'
Forrest stood dumfounded.
Great God. Edith. do you know what
you say? Oh, Edith-wife. Are you
mad, that you dare speak such awful
words? You love him.
He staggered to a chair. pale as
death. This, then, was the end Of all.