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

ward sights, she turnd them inward and
viewed her whirling thoughts.
"What story this would mske if any
! one only knew, or If oniy had the pen OF
a. ready writer. It's really q ,te pity that
nv gift all runs to seed in C )rrespondence
Let me see:
Mrs. Lancaster, happy girl. married to
| the match of the season-well, she was the
beauty of the season, 50 why should she not
do so?-amiable, rich and handsome. The
menage goes swimmingly FIR three years;
then Mr.. Lancaster takes to plunging
heaviiy-s regular jubilee plunger. Wife's
entreaties of no avail. Then SLr. Lancaster
{oh, Tomb takes to plunginy in the direc-
tion of Signora Sorelia, and Mrs. Lancas,
| ter refuses to entreat or fsrgige. Y es, l
dare say was bit hasty is Mrs Ian
casters half murmured 'eserie to day.
Separation ON this tapis; nisr days wonder
(but the separation lasts l'aser). Heigh
ho! and now Mrs. Lancaster is being driven
down Bond street in haosom, her hus-
band occupying the lofty position of driver
behind.
s.Poor darling, how wet h must be get
ting up there"
There was q block just a, the corner as
they turned into Piccsdilly. Mrs. Lancas-
ter profited by the occasion She took her
umbrella and pushed up the skylight.
| 1t was Immediately opened.
Mr.. Lancaster looked do u, Mrs. Lam
caster looked mp.
| sDo you want to get on ? am afraid
you cannot! We may have to wait here a
quarter of an hour"
sit isn't that" she answe ed. ''1 want
ed to know. er-I thought, er-I wanted to
ask. Oh, Tom dear, aren't you very wet
and cold up thereg'
ssThank you, one could ecarcely expect
there should be draft up he e, or to find it
parchingly hot-but Pm quito comfortable,
thank YOU all the same" With males
inconsistency. eps5l e. ~
Down went the skyligbt. The great
stagnation slowly uprose and they drove on
again. 1t had begun to clear up. Mrs.
Lancaster thought she knew her way about
town, but Mr.. Lancaster should have known
it still better, and yet he tock her round
Grosvcnor place as meats to reaching
Park lane. It seemed as if be took pleas.
ure in driving by the most opposite and
round about route.
Perhaps he wasn't thinking of whore he
was going; perhaps-a litte quick sob
quivered up to ber lips and she bit them
perhaps he, too, was thinking of those days
at Venice, Nice, Vienna. Perhaps he was
thinking that if only she bad been not quite
go hard and unforgiving when his fancy had
rather wandered toward La Sorelia, with
her ten and-six penny bottle "Golderine"
hair, attracted probably more by her dab
lerie than anything else-per haps, if she
had been little softer, he 10 eht have told
her of the real remorse he felt for his incon-
stancy, the remorse of having lost all his
| income Thereby indirectly reducing her
own, spent in goodness knows what follies,
| that had played The very mischief with the
dollars. Had she been gentler perhaps he
might not have been exalted to the high
position be row occupied, which, with
hanging, is probably the only position of
elevation which does not bril- exaltation
along with it.
She had money of her own, q good e1 500
year, and when the final split came-a
split born of very small rift--he had been
too proud to let her know how bis mopey
matters stood, and SO it came about that
husband and wife had not met for quite
year, and that during the last fl se weeks he
had driven raking bay about L 'ndon, hsr.
messed to a luxurious ''S. T." hapsom.
Aud he? Well. he was thinking of what
o laundering ass he had been, aud how he
had tried her love aud faith in him.
And she? Well, had she, to-, not hirted
Targent, and when he had demonstrated
ever 80 little had she not fared out on him
and thrust that odious, yellow haired Sig
nora SoreIia in his face?
II wish he wouldn't drive quite so FAST"
she thought. 1--WE shall get home so soon
if he dOes."
They were passing a restaurant. She
slanted her umbrella toward it, and he drew "
up instantly.
"If you don't mind, she said.. II am just
going in for glass of wine; feel little
faint"
1t was no such thing, for in two minutes
she was ont again, the wine untouched and
the glass in her hand.
sYou must have got so wet and cold,
wish you-would you?" she stammered
idiy-"would you mind just taking a
Neutrality-suspicious. meP''
She had taken off her glove, and the
broad wedding band caught his eye. A
spasm ofpaln came upon his face. 1t was
like driving your fist through mirror and
bits.
"Thank you," he said, little uustead
ily, in rather husky voice, as be descend.
ed slowly from his perch.
s.Oh! will take it in for you"
II could not think of giving lady my
glass 10 put down." he answered. with his
old characteristic courtesy toward the wo.
manhood.
Two '.young ladies" behind the bar had
been watching the proceeding.
"Goodness gracious, Louie" said one,
"well, declare! Fine laoies do carry on
nicely. She's giving him her wine-shere's
no accountin for tastes"
Quoth her friend, There's every &C.
counting for them when it's tawny mus.
tache."
About quarter of an hour later the
hanson drew up in Norfolk street.
Mrs. Lancaster got out and walked slow.
ly up the steps. Before ringing she turned
around. A little ragamufin was inspect
ing s%".,d Hs,, ,o, ill. . .;xn.nosg,, s,a .s..d
him gravely. A superfluous question, to
which he replied, with the knOwledge of
past experience to guide him and wisdom
beyond his winters:
''Si1pences were not to be 'ad for moth
in'."
"Of course not" she answered, ''and
you have only to hold the horses head for
listle; you needn't be afraid" she added,
rashly guaranteeing the beasts peaceful
nature, sand you shall have sixpence,"
Thus, having reduced the legion of un
employed by one, she turned and rang the
bell.
"Do you mind coming in tor few min
utes?" she said, addressing her husband
II want to tell you something"
He looked at her for an instant, then set
tied his whip in its socket, tied the reins
securely aud descended slowly.
"But the servants?"
"The only two whom you will see are
new ones.',
The door opened-sDinner at onoe and
lay another place at table,"
"You remember this, and this (pausing
before some picture or some hanging, and
this vase; do you remember how nearly l
was drowned out of that gondola at Ven.
ice-it was just opposite those glass works,
and you insisted on our going In and buy
ing something to remind you and how
thankful you were that it had ended 10
nothing worse than drenehiugp"
Il have forgotten nothing" he answered
gravely.
= IN ot ovon tho NOV to v0ur drpaaiuU