Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-05-21

"How does Bedford like all this ?"
queried the first speaker.
ooh. he doesn't seem to take it
much to heart. She married him for
his money, in the first place, and he
really loved her ia his way. | think
he was of a domestic nature, and
would have liked quiet home life
with her. But her nature craved ex-
element, society and admiration she
enjoys dramatic situations, and must
have them. And so he lets her 20
her way, and he goes his. She amuses
herself with each new candidate for
her favor, and, when he becomes
troublesome, she cody disposes of
him."
Albert went out upon the shore,
his head in a whirl. How could the
sky stand, the sun shine, the breakers
roll, after such profane untruths had
been spoken of his darling? For he
felt sure they were untruths, the re-
suits of malice.
He took the path along the edge of
the cliffs, which were about twenty
feet high, and almost precipitous.
But there was comparatively smooth
beach below, and one of some width,
especially when the tide was out, as
now. Little winding paths, and &C.
casional flights of steps, led down to
the beach, every few hundred yards ;
and it was n favorite resort for lovers.
Suddenly voices sounded near AL
bert, apparently beneath him; a
mans voice first, then hers. He look
ed over the edge of the cliff. Mrs.
Bedford was sitting on some rocks,
just below, on the beach. Further
out, solitary pedestrian was visible,
on an almost isolated ledge; beyond
him sail and then the illimitable
horizon. The scene never left his
memory to his dying day. He could
also see Mrs. Belford's companion-a
handsome blonde-bearded man, who
looked down at her adoringly. She
was speaking:
81 married when mere child, a
man with no tastes in common with
myself. My life is sad" she was say
ing, "and void. He gives me house
but not a home. He gives me jewels,
but not the affection | crave. | try,
as best l may, to make life endurable.
And now / want to live worthy-I
want you to live worthy-of this
beautiful and sacred experience, which
has come to glorify life for me, and l
trust, for you also. Take this" and
she slipped something into his hand,
"and never part with it until my
image is displaced in your heart"
Albert could bear no more. 1t was
Just what the false syren had said to
him. She said it to all. He arose
and rushed past them, and strobe hur-
ridly out of sight.
An hour later, when Mrs. Bedford
returned to the hotel, she found its
inmates in state of great excite
ment.
"a young man, a stranger, who had
arrived few hours before, had just
tried to commit suicide by shooting
himself" they were saying, but had
only succeeded in making very ugly
wound in his side. The ball had been
extracted, and he was not in danger
of death. No one was quite sure of
his name"
Mrs. Bedford said poor fellow"
and was passing OH to her room, when
she met Agnes, pale as death.
"Why, what is the matter? Are
you i'll ?" she cried.
Agnes looked at her with sad heavy
eyes.
Don't you knowl" she answered.
albert is here. He has tried to kill
himself. find this upon his table,
addressed to you. Oh, Mrs. Bedford,
what has come upon my dear boy, TO
make him so rash and reckless p
Mrs. Bedford, now trembling in
every limb, opened the parcel. 1t
contained only the ring. The ring
so dear to Albert-that had been
treasured like a sacred talisman for a
whole year-the ring which Mrs. Bel
ford had actually forgotten she had
once given TO him, until now it was
returned to her under such tragic'
circumstances
Mrs Belford's love of the dramatic
was gratified To its fullest extent, for
once at least.
The story leaked out, however, and
Mrs. Belford had to leave the sea-
shore, her reputation for heartless
coquette fixed forever.
AS for Albert, though he is restor-
ed to physical health, his heart is
scared and his soul embittered for
ever.
He laughs at love. He sneers at
royalty. He feels no faith in woman,
young or old, welded or single.
| Dahl. H. E,ln.. LII. G.. LIZ,