Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-24
A CHILD SHALL LEAD.

Husband and wife had quarreled, and
there seemed to be no way Of healing the
breach. She had accused him Of flirting
witch Edith Pierrepont, and he had rstorted
by saying that she was too fond OF Lieuten-
ant Groves attentions
So matters vtood between Alex and Gene
We've at the opening Of this story, and ev-
cry day they were drifting farther apart.
III can't Dear this any longer" Genevieve
decided at last in desperation. II shall go
mad II remain here to endure his scornful
looks and contemptuous indifference, while
oil his smiles are given to her-bold, un-
prinoipled coquette that she Isl II 1t was
not for little Vivas sake, coul~ not have
borne It,"
She did not fear to leave little Viva be-
hind her; she knew thai Alex adored the
little one, ard that she would be entirely
safe in his charge but the pain of parting
-oh, that was bitter indeed!
She glided noiselessly into the room, but
started back with half uttered cry of con-
sternation as she beheld her husband bend
ing over little Viva's couch.
"Where are you going ut this hour of the
night" he exclaimed, surprised into speech
before lac knew IL.
He certainly had not meant to speak dio-
tatorially, but the long silence and con-
straint between them made his words and
voice sound harsh to the sensitive ear of his
wife.
Pardon me, sir, IL decline to recognize
your right to question me-" she replied,
with unbendlng haughtiness.
A hot flush rose to his face, aud ne turned
away, biting his lip under his heavy brown
mustache, as though angry with himself
for having spoken.
"As you please" he said, with answering
hauteur. But the next instant shade OF
anxiety softened his face and thrilled al
most pleadingly through his altered tones.
Little Viva does not seem well tonight.
Perhaps you will kindly see what she needs
before going out was about to summon
the nurse to look at her."
Genevieve hastily approached the child's
bed Without answering, and Alex left the
room. He did not go far away, however.
He paced up and down the hall with a look
of strange uneasiness In those bright
brown eyes. lie did not like the way little
Viva was tossing and moaning In her
sleep. And then--Genevicvel What did
10 mean-her going out ut that hour dressed
for Journey Could 1t be possible that
she meant TO leave himt A thrill Of shud-
dering terror ran through him from head
to foot at the bare thought Of 1t.
Two or three hours later he silently
looked into the nursery, the door Of which
he had not lost sight Of for a single mo-
ment. He saw Genevieve's hat, sack and
travelling satchel tossed In a careless heap
upon a lounge, while she was seated close
beside the low bed, one white, jewelsd
hand clasping the wee, dimpled one of her
baby, the other caressing the child's fevered
brow like the cooling touch of a snowflake.
Alex had been fightinga hard battle with
his pride, but now as he looked upon moth
er and child saw the sweet, troubled face
of his wife, SO full Of tenderness and love,
the fight was fairly over, and Edith Pierre
pont, could she have looked into his heart
then, would not have felt greatly fattered.
Acting upon a sudden impulse, he crossed
the room with swift, light step and stood
beside his wife. She glanced up, but did
not show either annoyance or surprise. In
deed she seemed oblivious to anything but
little WAS possible danger.
"Genevieve," he began, his voice trem-
bling brokenly over the name which he ut
tered now for the first time since their Bit
ter quarrel, tell me, will you not-I ask it
not as right, but as favor-where did
you intead to go tonightf"
~ intended to leave your house." she
answered frankly, her voice low. but firm.
"And whyi"
He was leaning over the back of her chair
now, so close that she felt his warm breath
on her forehead.
surely you cannot need to ask that ques-
tion," she responded bitterly. After all
your coldness, your indifference, your open
devotion to q rivap'-
"C,eneyieyep'-he came around now and
stood before her. flushed with shame. but