The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-28
HER SECRET.

When that particularly shrewd and
businesslike young man, Mr.. Thomas
Darlington, joined himself in marriage
to Ada, relict of the late Isaac Abrahams,
his friends evinced considerable surprise
at the STEP The widow was. indeed, as
they admitted, young and fascinating
and had, moreover, inherited very sub
stantial fortune from her previous hus-
band. But then she was dreadfully ex-
travagant in her habits, and had lately
developed perfect mania for gambling
In fact, her losses on the turf and at
the card tables were becoming quite the
talk of society, and it is certain that
even during the short period which
elapsed between her first husbands death
and the date Of her second marriage her
fortune must have been materially di-
minished by the drains she made upon
it. In another year or two at her pres
emit rate she would. SO Toms friends
said, run through it altogether, and then
he would find himself in the unenviable
position Of having to support a recklessly
spendthrift wife entirely out Of his own
pocket.
A few of his greatest intimates i'm
pressed this upon him before he took the
final plunge, and urged him to back out
Of his engagement ere it was yet too late.
But Tom turned deaf ear to their adj
vice. He was very much in love with
the charming widow. And, besides, he
entertained a strong hope that after their
union he should be able to reform, or at
least control. his wife's extravaganza.
Instead, therefore, of trying to cry off
the match, he hurried it forward to the
best of his ability, in order that she
might have as short an interval as pos
sible in which to enjoy the unchecked
expenditure of her money.
But when he was married to the lady
he found that his hope of being able to
reform her had been decidedly chimer-
ical. Self willedssn headstrong, she
would scarcely endure advice, much less
any semblance of restraint. So, after
few months Of useless remonstrance, he
gave up all attempt at genuine refor1na-
ton as bad job, and had to content
himself with showing silent disapproval
of her extravaganceS, or with throwing
in their way such feeble obstacles as he
could. These were slight enough, for
her fortune was entirely at her own con-
troll. Still they were not quite fruitless,
And as time went on, people noticed
that Mrs. Partington's gambling transac-
tons were on a much smaller scale.
Her best friends began to hope that the
instincts of the mother were beginning
to assert themselves over the cravings of
the gambler, and that it was thought for
the little one whom she was soon expect
ing that thus checked her in her career
of mad extravaganza. 1t is certain at
any rate, that, as time went forward,
she grew every day more out of spirits,
and nothing was more ikely-for, with
all her faults, she was soft hearted wom-
an-than that she should be fretting over
her past selfish extravaganza, as sort of
robbery perpetrated on her unborn Off
spring. Perhaps, also, her weakened
physical condition contributed its quota
to this altered frame Of mind. But
whatever the reasons may have been,
the fact was undoubtedly there. And
each day the once hghthearted and reck-
less woman grew more moody and de-
pressed.
Tom appeared to notice this change in
his wife. His manner toward her, al
ways kind and attentive, became actual
ly tender in it's consideration, and he
tried his hardest to soothe away her
gathering depression of spirits He was
not able to be with her much in the day
time, for, shortly after his marriage, be-
ing tired Of having nothing to do, he had
put some Of his money into business"
in the city, where his constant presence
was now required; but he regularly spent
his evenings at home, hardly ever going
to the theater or to his club.
His wife seemed to feel his considerate
tenderness very deeply, for several times,
as he sat beside her Of an evening, with
his arms thrown careSsingly around her,
she suddenly buried her face on his
shoulder and burst into tears-like one
whose relnorse is awakened by unmerited
and unlocked for kindness On each Of
these occasions Tom felt by a certain
subtle and inpalpsble instinct that his
wife was on the very verge Of making
some confession-perhsps of sorrow and
regret for her defiant attitude toward
him in the past But although by mis-
comforting words and soothing caresses
he did his best to invite her confidence,
the confession which he felt to be hang
ing on her lips never issued from them
Meanwhile, what was 50 clear TO her
husband did not escape the notice Of Mrs
Partiugton's female friends OF these
she had many. but by tar the most
favored ard confidential Of them was
Mrs Brandon. an old schooEellow with
whom she had kept up lifelong init
macy Mrs Brandon. who was az once
s very nveIy anu highly sensible LADY.
had. st an early period. detected the un-
usual gloom which had come over her
friends manner. and rallied her upon
taking her new position so seriously.
MY dear Ada" she said az last, IN the
course OF an afternoon call, during which
Mrs. Pardngton had been more dull than
ever, Il should never have encouraged
You 10 accept Tom if had foreseen what
a deplorsble effect your second dose Of
would have upon you Do
you know that In the twenty minutes
have been here, the only original ooser-
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