The record-union., 1892-08-27


1t was pasU9 o'clock that evening when
Colonel Maulrever found himself in the
drawing g-room of the Tresillians' house in
GroSyenor Square. The blinds had not
been drawn, and shaded lamp that stood
on stand near one OF the windows was
its only light. He found Cora there
alone. He could not help seeing how
white her face was, but he put that down
to the headache of the afternoon.
''You see have come," he said, smil-
ing, as he took her hand in his. But l
thought I should find you arrayed for
the fray. Don't you go to Lady Gresham's
ball ?'
mo-" she said, as she seated herself
again on the low chair by the window.
''I don't feel inclined to go out tonight"
There was pause. He was studying
the delicate face and marVeling little
what was the change in it. Her voice
broke across his thoughts.
Don't think me impertinent," she,
said hurriedly. "I know, / mean of
course, like every one else-I heard of
your marriage. Was-was Mrs. Wv
ian"
''Ny wife?" he asked quickly, as she
stammered over the words.
Yes" She had found her voice again.
''She was-or rather, l should say, she
is"
''You-would you mind telling me why
you parted?"
''I don't like to speak of it. The story
long years. If, in all these years, | have
not known one happy hour, I have but
my own cursed folly to blamev
There was long silence. Then with
heavy sigh he suddenly reused himself.
After all, he said, ''why should l not
tell you? l wanted you to think we'll of
me, child, but it is better you should not
far, far better.'
She said nothing. She was strung up
to the utmost pitch Of endurance. Not
noticing her silence he began his history.
The story was nothing very uncommon
had she known more of life. Like most
unequal marriages, there had been much
to condone on both sides. He had loved
this girl very passionately-very nobly-
thinking naught of sacrifice on his part.
But though she loved him with equal ten
derneSs, she had been jealous, eXacting,
suspicious from the first. His friends
ignored her-his world would have none
of her.
Quite suddenly she left the shelter of
his roof, declaring she would go back to
her old life of the stage-the life he so dis
liked and despised. He had written to
his lawyers, bidding them make her an
allowance. and then without farewell
they parted, and he returned to India, full
of rage and Indignation at her conduct.
He had never seen or heard Of her till,
in the Mrs. Vivian of the concert room,
he recognized his wife.
If he had deemed the old, wild, i'm
passioned love dead and bygone thing,
he fully realized his mistake when that
| fair face met his gaze once more, when
| the passionate cadence of that voice
| thrilled to his soul, Weakening the old
rapture with the sharpness of new
| regret.
The world that knew him, the world
to whom he was only "Mephisto," would
have laughed to scorn the idea of his
holding one tender or faithful memory of
womanhood; but the world knows few,
if any, of US as we really are.
Cora listened to the whole story with
out word or sign.
'And you-love-her still ?" she asked
| family, as his voice ceased.
II do; God help me !"
"Why do you not go to her; tell her.
'YOu forget" he said proudly. ''She
left-me.'
But if she, too, suffered-if she loved
you-if she was longing to forget the
past"
''Do not madden me by such fancies,
child! All is over for us two"
A sudden flush crossed the girlish face
"Ah,' she said softly, and rose from her
seat and faced him there in the summer
dusk, chow little you know of-women.
Y on may be too proud to go to her, but
she-she who has suffered so-who has so
much to forgive, she will come to you"
Cora"
"Hush," she said. ''If 1 have done
rash thing, foolish thing-forgive me-
But you said you were unhappy; that no
one could help you-and 1 have-tried.'
MY child-my darling"
But she was gone.