Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-11-04

ed him clossly ell the while. She watched
as he glancea at the two easy chairs, one
at each side Of the blazing fire. How often
had they occupied them in the happy past
Ooly then, to be cure, they had been drawn
close, side BY side, and they had proved
the fallibility of the rule that "two bodies
cannot occupy the same space at the same
time"
She watched him az his eyes turned to
the duchesse toilet table,. with it's large
center glass-in trout Of which he had often
made her stand-while he bade her mark
what handsome couple they made. Ha
drew sharp breath, aud q spasm sho,
across his face, leaving it shade or two
whittier. He glanced up-his wife was
looking at him in breashless stiffness. she
turned quickly and left the room.
DE found his way abo 1t ten minutes
afterward-Mrs. Lancaster took little
longer.
There was soft dewiness ab Iut her syes
as she came an3 stood beside him Hus
bands and wife's hands met in a quick,
coss grip, and feeling of iufaiss i,qe
came nestling around his heart.
"Tom," she begen wistfally.
''Ye ca, Cecile?" questioningly.
There was no time for another word. the
door handle-ssssslowiym moving around.
OTIS my sheep dog-Miss Meeson," she
whispered, her breath coming and going,
for a sudden puzzlesome question had
arisen in her mind. She had forgotten all
about Miss Meeson-to tell the truth she
had not taken her into account at ALL What
was che to do and say? Iutroduce Tom as
this afternoons hanson cab driver, and
nothing else? Goodness! no, it would not
be possible, introduce him as friend onlyl
Yes, but what If there were to come q rec-
onciliation? How horrid and deceitful il
would look! But. introduce Tom as her
husband! "a quick throb at her heart J
What if he insisted on their remaining only
friends? What If he should reject the pro.
jected forgiveness? What if he should ex
claim, "Pardon me, I was her husband at
one time, but Mrs. Lancaster decided to
dissolve the partnershipe" What agony
and humilistionl
The door opened and the dear, humble
old sheep dog entered-far too meek of as
pect to COW any ravening wolf, except by
her old fashioned stately sweetness,
sMiss Meeson," said Mrs. Lancaster, fall
tering, "Miss Meeson, dear, we have a
guest at dinner tonight, let me introduce
Tommy Toni The man who was ever,
and ever will be, the dearest and best of
men. There-there was slight misunder.
standing, almost all my fault; but we have
found, he aud I-me-that's to say-I
mean he-we"- There was pucker on
her face; she faltered, and then said tremu-
lously and with exquisite tenderness. "He
is my dear husbandw Then she smiled
up in his face and laid her head on his
shoulder. as much out of the fullness of her
love as to hide that awful cabmsn's badge,
which blazed hugely on his breast. Then
she laughed-a queer little laugh, that had
q glimpse of tears in it not so very far off.
Miss Meeson held out her hand with a
much puzzled air, but Mr.. Lancaster saw
neither that nor the look. His eyes were
moistened with unshed tears, and his
wife's head when he glanced down seemed
to be some blurred mass of golden brown
on his shoulder, and the lights seemed sud.
denly to have got misty and to flicker up
and dow1.
II left my spectacles 10 the other room, :"
said Miss Meeson sofsly, though she was
peering through them as she spoke.
think that there was something very
like look of rapture on both husband and
wife's faces.
sYou have forgotten to pay me my
fare," be said after bit. "Do you chisel
all your cabbies out of their fares, dear?"
she laughed up in his face with a mur-
mur of womanly tenderness. "WelI, your
real fare is two shillings, but l will give
you golden crown.''
She raised her face as she spoke. No
need to explain the meaning of toe words
50 one who loved her as did this strange
cabman. He took the "golden crown" be.
tween both his hands and kissed her fair
forehead tenderly.
Husband and wife were reunited, never
to part again. 1t was not until their mu-
tual tears of joy had ceased that the little
urchin in the street was remembered. He
and another little imp were found taking it
In turns to watch the horse.
''That boys another Casabiancar' cried
Cecile, indignant with herself.
80 he is, Gear-only we won't give him
such blowing up" remarked her hus
band.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lancaster are an absurdIy
happy coaple. They have Just gone on
their second honeymoon.
He has most exalted opinion of his
wife's virtues, a sentiment that is only to
be- balanced by her stupendous blindness
20 all his faults.
She was rapturizing over him the other
lay, in Brussels, to a newly picked up
friend.
"Do you know" said her listener, ''to
hear you talk, one would almost fancy that
you bad come acrcss your husband in hesv
,pW
"Nothing of the kind, my DEAR" answers
Mrs. Lancaster. 81 met Tom in far
more earthly place. picked him up in q
cabp'-Belgrduia