St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-20
EAvESDROpPERS BOTH.

Noll tu0y might oIuIllc Hiins Spohsu
as they were in the silvery voice of his
own young wife, to a visitor so lately
arrived that he, Sir Godfrey Heres
combe, lord of the manor, had not yet
greeted him. He knew. however, that
he was Capt Frank Halifax, friend of
his wife's childhood and youth, and also
a man of no slight reputation as a
charmer of the fair sex.
The very interesting conversation Sir
Godfrey now had the pleasure of over
hearing was carried on Just the other
side of the heavy double curtains be-
tween his sanctum and the drawing
room. The door was usually closed, but
had been inadvertently left ajar. A
velvet tete-a-tete on the other side fur
nished seat for the two whose words
seemed now to carry death to his love
and happiness in every syllable.
more. if possible! Do you remem-
Der" Here the hum of general con-
versation in the drawing room rendered
the gallant captains next words indis-
tinct to the strained ears of his host.
''lt was only after your marriage that
l realized how deep my love was.
When learned that 1t was returned |
sold out at once and came home, and
here l shall stay until" Once more his
voice was drowned by the others.
"'Sh! Frank! Let us not take all the
world into our confidence. There is
much to be planned and done before"
BY this time the usually placid young
man on the other SIDE was nearly dane
ing with rage and Wounded feeling.
How can she be so false? Only this
morning she assured me Of her love,
lighted into mine. What acting!"
So saying Sir Godfrey flung himself
out of the room. ordered his firlest horse
saddled, and took ride across the
country that worked off the wrath pos
sessing him, leaving only feeling of
the deepest sadness.
When he returned his guests had just
separated, after lingering over the tea
table, and were dressing for dinner. He
went directly to his own dressing room,
where he was still haunted be the
sound of those hateful words ringing i'll
his ears. He must not let them suspect
that he had overheard them, and his
face flushed holly at the remembrance
of the way in which he had listened to
words not intended for his ears. but
When he descended to dinner his face
wore look eff icy cOmpoSure so new to
his wife that it struck a terrible chill to
the heart of Lady Alice. Instantly,
however, her pride rose to the occasion,
and the few words she spoke to him
were so studied and cool as to confirm
his suspicion that she did not love him,
and never had.
was so gay and charming, and at times
so confidential, as to make the evening
one of tortue to heEhusband. And so a
shadow lay upon these two young
hearts, deepening as the hours passed
into a dense, black cloud.
A week later Lady Alice came slowly
down stairs, one warm forenoon, her
lovely eyes dark with sorrow, and her
whole bearing listleSS and detected.
Approaching the door of her husbands
''den," she stepped in, knowing he was
gone for walk with Loren Fairhaven,
a college friend who was visiting him.
"He told me when he fitted up. this
room that 1t was to be perfectly free to
me; that he would always be glad to see
| my dear face in the doorway Why oh,
why should he change so! He confines
himself to simple civilities when speak
ing to me. cannot understand it, but
he shall never, never, never know how
it hurts.
"How warm and tired feel! / think
l will lie down for few minutes.
can go away when 1 hear him coming"
Thus thinking, she threw herself
upOn IOuUSC oUOu Sdlk illIO
siumber, her charming face showing,
even in sleep, the traces of her mental
| diSquiet.
Half an hour later she sprang to sit
ting posture, aroused by the sound of
| voices from the other side of the por-
| there's.
Your wife is a darling creature,
Geoff! You're lucky dogW
IAN I?' was the laconic answer, in a
slightly satirical tone.
"Ot course you do not need any in
formation on that point, but could not
! help speaking. She seemed to me, even
| at my introduction, quite the sweetest
! little lady | had ever met, and she
| grows more lovely on nearer acquaint-
|. ance. | wish l could find another just
! like her; you would soon see me among
the Benedicts-if she'd have mel"
Say, old fellow, you and | have been
! too close friends for me to mince mat
| tiers with you now. My married life is
a dead faiIureI'
Then with rapid change 10 his
former light conversational tone:
Now tell me what became of Charlie
| Gray? Did he ever marry that girl he
was so fond of-the pretty girl with
dark eyes?"
Much surprised. but with the innate
| good breeding of gentleman, Loren
| Replied: mo; she died. 1t nearly
| killed him, and he went to India soon
after. He is doing well, and will short
| ly become colonel.
| For some time the ebb and flow of col
| lege Renaissance went on, while Lady
| Alice sat stunned by those seven cruel
words.
ooh that l could dep was the first
| thought. Life is uncomfortable"
ha hnnH 10 ha
| still going on, the two young men seem
| ing to enjoy the exchange of news of
| former friends until Mr.. FairhaYen ex-
! claimed:
"By George! you were sentimental
chap in those days, Godfrey! Iremem-
Der the day caught you telling Maud
| how you loved her, and that nobody
| could ever take her place in your heart.
| / shall never forget the look on your
face when it dawned upon you that
had listened to the whole rhapsody"
Joining in Loren's laugh, Sir Godfrey
said: 1--WE all have our salad days, you
know, and | certainly was gone ON
| her."
| Lady Alice waited to hear no more
| She fastened to her room, and there
| shed the bitterest tears of her life-that
| life which had been the happiest pos
| sible, but into which would never come
another happy day. So, with the i'm
petuosity of youthful despair, she said
in her heart.
The days which followed were so full
| of suffering that Lady Alice felt re-
| lieved when her husband told her one
morning that lie should start for Egypt
| with some friends at once. 1t would be
| easier. she thought, to grow accustomed
to her burden, and learn to live without
his love during his absence. On his re-