Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-03-28

Slgnor," he said, anxiously. ut makes
men mad, they say"
smiled. Had madness been my des-
tiny. should have gone mad last night,
| thought!
"IIavo no fearm answered him gent
". "The moonlight is n joy 10 met
has no impression on my MUD save that
of peace. shall rest well here, my
fricnd--do not trouble yourself about
mo
He hcsitated and then abruptly left me,
To return In the space OF two or three
minutes with q thick rug OF sheep skin.
lie insisted so earnestly on my accepting
this covering as a protection from the
night air, that, to please him, yielded
to his entreaties and lay down, wrapped
In its warm folds. The good-natured
fellow then wished me 'Buon riposo,
Signorm and descended to his own rest
ing place, humming gay tune as no
went. From my recumbent posture ON
the deck / stared upwards NJ the myriad
stars that twinkled sof:ly In the warm
violet skies-stared long and lixedly TILL
IL seemed TO me that our ship had also
become q star, and was sailing through
space with its gllttering companions.
What inhabitants peopled these lair
planets. l wondered? Mere men and
women who lived and loved and lied to
one another as bravely as we do? or SUI
perior beings to whom the least false
hood is unknown? Was there one
world among them where no women
were born? Vague fancies-odd theories,
fitted through my brain. lived over
again the agony OF my Imprisonment In
the vault; again forced myself to con-
template the scene had witnessed be-
tween my wife and her lover-again /
mcditatcd on every small detail requisite
TO the fuiilment OF the terrible VEN
geance / had designed. / have often
wondered how, in countries where d.
vorce was allowed, q wronged husband
can satisfy himself with so meager a
COMPENSATION for his injuries as the
mere getting rid OF the woman who has
deceived him. IL Is no punishment to
her-it is what she wishes. There Is not
even any very special disgrace in 1t &C
corGng 10 the present STANDARD OF social
observances. Were public whipping the
recognized penalty for the crime OF
married woman's intdelity there would
be fewer of the like scandals-the d.
vorce might follow the scourging. A
daintily brought up feminine creature
would think twice, nay, fifty times, be-
fore she would run the risk OF allowing
her delicate body to be lashed by whips
welded by the mercilcss hands OF
couple Of her own sex-such q prospect
of degradation, pain, shame and out
ragged vanity would be more effectual to
kill the brute in her than oil the impos-
ing ceremoniLls Of courts OF law and
special juries. Think Of it, kings,
lords and commons! Whipping at the
carts tan was once Il legal punishment
II you would stop the growing immoral
ity and reckless vice Of women you had
best revive 1t again-only apply 1t to
rich as well as to poor, for it is most
probable that the gay dnchcsses and
countesscs OF your lands will need It's
sharp services more frequently than the
work worn wives OF your labouring men.
Luxury, idleness, and love of dress are
hot-bcds for sin,-look for il therefore,
not so much In the novels OF the starving
and naked as in the rose-tinted, musk
scented boudoirs of the aristocracy-
look for it, as your brave physicians
would search out the seeds OF pesti-
lince that threatens to depopulate q
great city, and trampie 1t out II you can
aud will,--if you desire to keep the
name Of vour countries glorious in the
eyes Of future history. Spare not the
rod because my lady" fOrsooth! with
her rich hair falling around her In beau
teous DISAGREEMENT and her eyes bathed
in tears, implores your mercy-for by
every reason OF her wealth and station
she deserves less pity than the painted
outcast who knows not where to turn
for bread. A high post demands high
duty! But talk wildly. Whipping Is
done away with, for women at least-we
give well-bred shudder Of disgust at
the thought OF It. When do we shud-
der with equal disgust at our own social
enormities? Seldom or never. Mean
while, in cases Of infidelity, husbands
and wives can separate and 20 on their
different ways In comparative peace.
Yes-some can and some do; bat l am
not one OF these. No law In all the world
can mend the torn flag OF my honor;
therefore l must be law to myself-a
counsel, jury, judge, all in one-and
from my decision there can be no appeal
Then ! must act as northumberland
what torture was ever so perfectly unique
as the one had devised? So i unused,
lying broadly awake, with face upturned
to the heavens, watching the light OF the
moon pouring itself out Of the ocean like
ashower Of gold, while the water rushed
gurgling softly against the sides OF the
brig, and broke into the laughter Of
white foam as We scudded along.