The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-23
A NEW OTHELLO.

IL
man. Practical and mcthodical bust
ness man as | always prided myself l
was, | had been changed and altered to
romantic, nonscnsical lover, and l
have not the least doubt but that I was
equally as silly-to the disintercsted OBJ
server-as any boy of go. Then, too,
there came the little moments of hope
or fear, doubt CT jealousy, and passions
such rs l never dreamed formed part
oil my nature. In fact, had become
different being. Ennui and apathy van
1shcd, and i'll their stead arose energy
and ambition. Tho old delights of the
club bored me now Poker was obnox-
1ous, cards stupid, pool and billiards
6rcsomc, bowling foolish, baseball
had ever been crank enough to 20 to
SEQ Il game: Even the thcater and ger
man were useless and empty, except
with Mabel by my side. O love, what
power is thine! To what nayest thou
not actuate even the dullcst men!
April's rainy days were fast draw
ing to close. 1t was Saturday after
noon, and had not seen Mabel since
Wednesday! All because of that vexa-
tlous 'indisposition'' on Friday even
ing. In fact, these frequent illnesses.
occurring so often of late, were begin
ming to alarm me, and l intended to
insist that the doctors advice be asked.
Strange enough, these short spells of
sickness usually came tho same day
each week. had noticed that-and
though they lasted but short time
barely day, in fact-they were enough
to cause mo not a little anxiety.
1t was SO nearly perfect day could
not resist the temptation, so shortly aft
or O'Clock, all work for the day being
over, / closed the office and turned nv
face toward North Charles street. Ma
bel may be feeling better, l thought,
and promenade on the avenue will do
her good. a short, brisk walk ND the
fine street, and l stood before my fam
GEES home. The servant who opened
the door appeared to hesitate when I
asked if Mabel was feeling better, and
after moments awkward pause an
swcred: Miss Mabel is perfectly well.
Walk into the parlor, sir. -
Perfectly wcll!' echoed to myself.
I'm glad of that Then. turning TO
the servant who had seen me often be-
fore, l said: You need not announce
me. will surprise her"
Carefully dcpcstinS my hat upon the
rack, and after IL hasty glance at the
glass--love even makes IL man vain-I
tiptocd softly across the hall and gently
placed my hand upon the knob of the
parlor door. l was on the point of en-
tering the room when l fancied heard
talking. | stopped and listened. Yes,
Mabel was conversinS with some one.
Possibly some girl friend, and my pres
ence would be an intrusion or an en-
barrassmcnt. l paused. 1t seemed
strange! Mabel entertaining visitor
with all the parlor doors closed! There
she was speaking again, but so low and
soft | could not understand Il word. For
fully minute l stood thus in a guam
Diary. not knowing how to act, when
suddenly Mabel raised her voice, and in
bewilderment | distinctly heard
And you will always be true-no
matter what comes, what fortune NAV
bring?
Ah dearest, can you doubt me?"
came the astounding answer. "Can YOU
question the depth of my love?"
/ was dumfounded. The denth
no woman's voice that l heard, for the
words had been spoken by mana
man for whom in that one instant
conceived violent hatred. My God!
Could it be possible that Mabel, my
dear loving Mabel, had decei- MOI"
cried i'll my heart, checking the awful
thought. Unjust have heard wrongly"
The voices had subsidized once more,
and for few minutes, though pressed
close to the door and strained every
nerve, l could not distinguish solitary
word Presently the sounds became
more audible and the words clearer.
With caution / pressed anxiously for
ward
But i wanted to surprise you, love, I"
said Mabel affectionately.
well, dear, you have done SO most
effectually," came the equally affection
ate response.
Good heavens! My hand dropped to
my side, and staggered across the hall
as if had been shot. was stunned.
Utterly bewildered, stood as one in
dream. My entire life seemed in that
one minute to pass in frightful vision
before my gaze. Was this the retribu-
ton of a just fate that l, who had al
ways been hater Of womankind, a
scoffer at all things feminine should
fall so deeply in love, dream-sad
dream!-that love reciprocated and then
suddenly learn that the woman cher
ished and believed true and faultless, for
whom no sacrifice had been or was too
great this woman had trifled with me,