The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-27

| CHURCH, KensingtoD, on - 1So-to Sir
Henry Lascelles, Bart Sir Henry and
Lady Lascelles are now residing at Canning
| Ii use, HensingtoD.
Ny wife bad married one month after my
| drowned body had been identified by her
and she was Lady Lascelles.
had not the COS with me so l told the
| agent would 20 to my hotel and fetch it.
| There is no hurry" he said. ANY time
that YOU are passing to-day or tomorrow
will door you can send me a check"
folded the paper up, put it IN my pocket
and went out into street.
Here was a pretty kettle Of fish. My
wife had buried me and had married an
other man. felt convinced that it was TO
marry the other man she had buried me.
She had seen the report Of the finding of the
body in the papers. The published state
ments of my former employer had put the
idea into her head of playing a CHASTITY
comedy and making herself safe in case |
ever turned up aud threatened proceeding s.
She knew that had left the country. She
knew that | was going to the colonies when
we signed the deed of separation.
Still l was dead She had certainly
killed me in a very effective way, aud
should have some trouble in proving that
was alive. And TO do that would be to pro-
claim myself William Hengiit Smith, the
husband Of Lady Lascelles. To do that
would he to betray the woman l loved
better than all else in the world, my dear
Cora
william Hengist Smith, d" said to my
self, as / walked back to my hotel, you
arc dead, dead and buried. Your wife has
made herself safe in contracting a second
marriage, aud she has made you safe at the
same time. A dead man can't commit big
amy"
was rather relieved for Coras sake that
was dead, but dida't like the idea Of that
unknown suicide lying in my family grave
among my people and using my name on
the tombstone.
But bow was I to get him out He was
there, and there he would have to stop till
the day of judgment.
Satisfied at least that / was now safe,
and that my wife could never interfere with
me again, began to breathe more freely.
had no fear now of anybody, SO l walked
about London holding my head high, and
lost the terror which had once or twice
come upon me when | met women in the
street who looked at the first glance some
thing like my wife.
Relieved in my feelings. determined to
stay on through the London season instead
of gong abroad and returning from Venice
to Australia.
One night at the opera we met an old
friend of Cora's, rich Australian lady who
had been in England some two years. She
insisted that we should come and see her,
and we went TO dinner a few days after
ward Then ca ne an invitation to ball.
aud tor Cora's sake l accepted it.
1t was a grand ball, and a great many
tip top people were there, for our Australian
friends husband was an important public
parsonage.
We arrived early-too early, not being
used to society ways, and SO we saw nearly
all the people arrive. and were able to learn
who they were.
Cora was delighted. She danced several
times and everybody admired her. | didn't
dance but sat quietly in a corner and locke
on.
An hour later, when was watching the
dancers, heard some one say that's Sir
Henry Lascelles."
And is that dark woman his wife7n
Yes" was the reply. THAT is Lady
Lascelles. Poor old chap, I'm afraid be has
anything but a good time"
My cheeks went deadly white and then
flushed crimson.
Lady Lascelles!
turned and found myself face to face
with my first wife.
Our eyes met.
She knew me, am certain OF that, but
for all outward and visible signs l might
eyes had accidentally rested upon in the
street.
had not such complete command of my
self
| felt the hot blood rush to my cheeks
and fade away again. My heart almost
stood still and faint, sick feeling crept
over me.
Sir Henry Lascelles, her husband, tall
military looking old man, faded dandy.
vainly endeayoring to appear young buck,
was standing near her.
While my eyes were still fixed upon her
Il could not look away, though tried), she
turned TO Sir Henry, and said in voice
loud enough for me TO hear:
My dear, will you fetch me my fan. i
have left it on the seat yonder ny the Aus
traliau lady-Mrs. -, introduced us to
just now-Mrs. Smith"
She had been introduced to my wife, and
she intended mo to know it.
1t was a marvellous performance on her
part-this sudden and totally unexpected
meeting with a husband she had comforta-
bly, buried in Righgate cemetery utterly
failed to discOncert her.
She had evidently foreseen that it might
happen some day, and had carefully re-
hearsed the business of the scene, SO far as
she was concerned.
She had bean introduced to Mrs. Smith.
llT6CLly suc Saw lllo sue .iutDP6u 10 Luo con-
clusion that was the Mr.. Smith who was
Mrs. Smiths husband.
She fired the shot in the hope of hitting
the mark, and in a moment she saw that her
aim had been a good one.
l dropped my eyes and turned away to
hide my confusion. felt that my guilty
face would attract attention. l talked viii
the people about me at random. Heaven
only knows what l said. l fancy some of
them must have thought that had had too
much to drink.
At last | went on the landing and wan
dered into Conservatory, and sat down in
quiet corner to try and recover my scat
tered senses.
A few moments thought reassured me-
Lady Lascelles could do nothing She had
buried me and married again. Feeling a
little Drawer l went back into the ball
room.
Our hostess came toward me-
"Ah, Mr.. Smith. have been looking for
you everywhere. l want to introduce YOU
to lady who is charmed with your wife
and wishes to make your acquaintance"
She led me to a corner of the room, and
there | found my wife and Lady Lascelles
laughing and talking together.
mr.. Smith-this il Lady Lascelles," said
our hostess, and then with a few words left
me alone with my two wives.
By desperate effort | rose to the situa-
ton, and joined in the conversation; but
felt supremacy uncomfortable, and / had
the greatest difficulty in concealing my I'M
easiness
Lady Lascelles was charming She asked
me about Australia. and inquired if l was
native or if l had gone out there from Eng
land