The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-06-11

~ UxI0 I<r[<I I@[zE - cl11 I144@ ~ ~
renIify hc ~ inlI4enced " " hop6
f1s8t 81 might ~ his wixo.
BE hAd not been 1on4 d Neu York
before he INST In old friend named
Erickson, who Insisted on his visiting
him during his stay n the city. Al his
friends home Mr.. UndcxhilI became ~
quainted with Miss Eugenia Wi1ber-
force, younger sister Of Mrs Ericl<-
son. Mis- Wflberforcc was from Rich
mond, Va, and possessed 70 an eminent
degree the charms that distinguish
high-bred k0uthern beauties, having !
low, musical voice, graceful carriage
and manners that were delightful. She
was IS devoid Of an imperious, unbend-
ing viii Is singing bird, and Mr.. I'm
derhill sighed Is the thought came to
him that IL his wife had only been as
considerate as Miss Wflberforce was
they might b. now living happily to-
gether.
It was summer time, and, in order to
escape the heat and discomforts Of the
city, Mr.. Underhill proposed to Miss
Wilberforce one day that they should
towards evening take . boat for Staten
island, and there witness the grand
spectacular performance known as the
"Fall Of Babylon The invitation was
gladly accepted.
At 7:2O p. M. ferryboat crowded
with pleasure seekers left . pier
near the battery Mr.. UnderhiIl and
Miss Wilberforce had succeeded in OBJ
tanning camp chairs and were seated
amid many others in front Of the pilot
house on the lower deck. As the pad
die wheels briskly cut the water, the
young man and his fair companion adj
mired the view. The noble estuary that
connects New York with the ocean
could be seen in Q mellow light Every
object was invested with mystic
charm. The sun no longer held domin-
ion In the sky, and on the waters and
the eastern shore 1t threw glanccs that
were mild and tremulous. The tur-
reted walls Of Fort William caught the
dying rays, and SO softening was the
effect that the appearance OF the old
fortress belied its warlike character.
Tugs, ferryboats and other steam craft
were moving through the harbor, and
here and there sailing vessel was max
ing slow progress, there being scarce
strength enough in the breeze to swell
the white canvas. So restful and
dreamy an influence lowered about that
even the little waves seemed half asleep.
At such an hour the imaginative mind
only needed the witchery Of music to
inspire it with romanticism. And
music there was for the passengers on
the boat. A harp and two violins were
touched by the fingers Of italian wan
derers, and the air was filed with mel
ody.
Miss Wilberforce's face showed that
she fully enjoyed the beautiful thoughts
natural to the occasion. Mr.. Under
hill, too, was pleasantly impressed, but
he was not free from sadness. He re-
membered when q young woman as
fair as the one beside him had been his
companion in happy days Of courtship,
and he sighed as he contemplated the
wreck of the romantic dreams he had
then entertained
Raising his eyes. he encountered the
gaze Of a naughty and angry woman,
who stood about twenty feet from him.
Completely thrown off his guard, he
exclaimed: Great heavens! there is my
wife"
Much surprised, Miss WHEREFORE
looked first at Mr. Underhill and then
at his wife. Miss Wherefore blushed
deeply as she bowed to Mrs. Underhillss
companion, young man OF distin-
guished appearance, who gracefully
raised his hat in recognition,
After a brief, fierce gaze, Mr.. and Mrs.
Underhill, without bowling, turned
aside their heads.
II did not know that you were a
married man, Mr.. Underhill,. said
Miss Wilberforce, in tones which
showed that she was displeased, be-
cause the fact had been concealed from
her.
Feeling deeply the awkwardness OF
the situation, Mr.. Underhill stammered
out:
I'll am not exactly married"
s'What do you mean?"
..Why, IL mean that am trying to
get divorce.
sDo you not love your wife?"
'Well, did love her; but she always
wanted to have her own way, and IL
did not always want her to have it."
Perhaps you desired to have your
way, too, and would not respect her
wishes"
Mr.. Underhill moved nervously in his
chair.
II would not be my wife's slave. II
is humiliating for man to be ruled by
a. woman"
81 presume it is; and it is also humil-
iating for woman to be deceived by a
man."
my dear Miss Wilberforce, can as
sure you that meant no harm,yas ]
have intended to show you no more
than friendly attentions. I thought II
would be unnecessary and just as pleas,
ant-not to mention the disagreeable
fact that was seeking divorce"
Undoubtedly it seemed better to you
to take such a course"
A long silence ensued,, during which
Mr.. Underhill, man both honorable
and sensitive, felt, as the saying is,
completely used up
Miss Wilberforce's important reason
for being disturbed was not known by
her companion. For Henry Maitland
in whose conversation Mrs. Underhill
appeared to be much interested, she en-
tertained tender feeling which She
had believed was fully reciprocated. Al
first she felt provoked that Henry
should be with woman about to be
divorced, but soon her fairness of mind
caused her to think that Henry might
If he knew the fact, justly criticize hen
for being in the company of the woman's
husband.
Miss Wilberforce possessed, in re
marlxable degree, the quick intuition
peculiar to her sex, and, after watching
the countenances of Mr.. and Mrs. lin