Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-08
ADOUBLE TREACHERY
ADAPTED 81. F.

last he had learned to love his wife. The
generosity Of her nature, the strength Of
her character, had taken him captive. Her
cool reserve acted upon his frivolous
tastes like the capIices Of a coquette. He
had always found his wife too loving. too
tender. She was always the same. while
Sylvia was full Of changes; one day she
quarrelled with him, the next she was
Jealous and exacting. the third Indifferent.
The peaceful serenity Of his wife's affec-
ton Wealied him. Besides, he had hitler
to been sure of it; now he felt that Annie
was Indifferent, and that the only tie be-
tween them was their child. Yet he did
not altogether despair.
OF Sylvia, he rarely if ever thoughts
and this sudden thought was not so amaz-
ing as it seemed. In these two superficial
natures there was nothing that could in
spire profound attachment; George was
incapable of receiving any lasting impress
sion, Sylvia equally incapable OF making
one. 1t was one Of those shallow earthly
passions, born Of vanity and ldleness, IN
which neither devotion nor constancy had
any part. Perhaps, had he seen her, he
might have felt a quicker beating OF his
heart. but she had been completely swept
away in the wind of that gusty night;
every trace Of her had vanished. 1t was
q relief to live again without perpetual
falsehood, and though his daily existence
was a strong contrast to his previous self
indulgent life. yet he was not discomfort
ed with his lot The burden OF deception
was lifted from him, and the consequent
relief was enormous.
Prosperous days were at last daWnlng
on the house. Four of Florence's new
machines were in full swing at the fac
tory, and other establishments began to
grow extremely uneasy. FINALLY, very
large sum wa offered for one OF the ma
chimes.
~What shall we say9" asked George.
4Wbafever YOU choose" replied Flor
ence. 81 am no longer your partner"
The cold words chilled and married Geor-
ge's pleasure. But when alone with Mrs.
George. Florence said: Tell him not to
sell vet. but to wait awhile" He seemed
only to think of them and Of their prosper
ity. not Of himself as having any concern
In the matter.
Meanwhile orders kept pouring IN. The
quality Of their paper and prices, SO much
lower on account Of their superior facili-
ties for manufacture, made all competition
impossible. Evidently a magnificent fu-
ture was in store for the house.
The factory had resumed it's old air OF
prosperity. A new building was in pro-
cess of erection, intended to relieve the
busy crowd of worb-pcople who filed the
older one like so many bees. job was
busy over lis books al day, and his face
was radiant with satisfaction.
Florence was always busy, never seek
ing amusement or rest. Returning pros
pcIity changed no one of his personal
habits, nor was he less sad or silent. But
one day, when the intelligence had arrived
that his new invention, model OF which
had been sent to the great exhibition at
Paris, had received the gold medal, the
highest prize, Mrs Speed sent for him to
join her in the garden, that she might tell
him of the good news.
For the first time smile frightened
his care-worn face. His pride as an IN
ventor was gratified, and Florence took
his friends hand in u warm grasp.
81 am so happy" he said; but what q
difference in his tone The words were
uttered without enthusiasm, without
hope lie was simply glad TO have ac
complished the task he had assigned him.
self.
The bell rang to summon the work.
people from their mid day leisure. Flor
cnce obcycd also, and returned to his
drawing table.
But he soon came down again, for the
news had moved him more than he wished
anyone to suppose. He wandered up and
down the garden, and smiled sadly enough
at old Dcnman as he passed the window.
''What does he waut?" wondered job,
puzzled at this unwntcd rcstlcssncss.
Bnt, in the evening, just as the cashier
was locking up, Florence came to HIM.
"Drnman, / should like" here he
hesitated a moment. You may give me
chat letter now, and the package too"
job looked utterly astondcd- Stupid
ly enough, he had fancicd that Florcace
thought no more Of Sylvia; that he had
forgotten hcr.
want, you want"
"I.tnu / can afford to think Il little
of my own affairs Hitherto. | have al
lowed myself only to think 81 others"
"Vcry true" said Drnman; nov let me
tell you what we had better do. The let
Ter and packet are both at my house at
1I;1mmcramith. Suppose we dine together
at Simpson,. Is we used to do sometimes !;
a man does not get gold medal every
day IN the week, and we Will drink 4
bottle Of good wine in its honor. Then YOU
can com" home with me. stay the night,
and we cam both of us take the first omni-
bus to town tomorrow morning. Do me
this favor; il is So long since we passed
an evening together"
Florence consented, not so much to do
honor 10 his medal as to hasten by some
hours the moment when he could open
that little letter He must change his
clothes. which in itself was an exerton,
for it was six months since he had put on
anything hut III uliice-voat
Mrs SIap,l N,t9S summoned n thp win