Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-01-05
A NEW OTHELLO.

such as I never dreamed formed part
of my nature. In fact, had become
different being. Ennui and apathy van
ished, and in their stead arose energy
and ambition. The old delights of the
club bored me now Poker was obnox-
ious, cards stupid, pool and billiards
tiresome, bowling foolish, baseball
had | ever been crank enough to go to
see a game? Even the theater and ger
man were useless and empty, except
with Mabel by my side. O love, what
power is thine! To what mayest thou
not actuate even the dullest men!
April's S. rainy days were fast draw
ing to close. 1t was Saturday after
noon, and l had not seen Mabel since
Wednesday! All because of that vexa-
tious 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 the same day
each week. had noticed that-and
though they lasted but short time
barely day, in fact-they were enough
to cause me not little anxiety.
1t was so nearly a perfect day I could
not resist the temptation, SO shortly aft
er 3 O'Clock, all work for the day being
over, 1 closed the Office and turned my
face toward North Charles street. Ma
bel may be feeling better, l thought,
and a promenade on the avenue will do
her good. A short, brisk walk up the
fine street, and I stood before my fan
GEES. home. The servant who opened
the door appeared to hesitate when l
asked # Mabel was feeling better, and
after q moments awkward pause an
swered Miss Mabel is perfectly well.
Walk into the parlor, sir
fs1fectly well!'s I echoed to myself.
I'm : lad OF that. y Then, turning to
= = aeg~Y,ant, who had seen me often be-
SsssssS said: You need not announce
lua ! wilIsurpriss her.
carefully eapositing my hat upon the
| Fsses. I'D after a hasty glance at the
g3ass- love even makes a man vain-I
tiptael softly across the hall and gently
Nd ''sa7s! &s,.ed my hand upon the knob of the
Ia door. l was on the point of en-
s5ss;; mn he room when l fancied heard
fs3ElGg. l stopped and listened. Yes,
Mabel was conversing with some one.
Possibly some girl friend, and my pres
ence would be an intrusion or an en-
barrassment. I paused. It seemed
strange! Mabel entertaining visitor
with all the parIor doors closed! There
she was speaking again, but SO low and
soft L could not understand word. For
fully minute stood thus in guam
dairy, 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 may
bring?"
''Ah, dearest, can YOU doubt me?''
came the astounding answer. ''Can You
question the depth Of my love?"
1 was dumfounded. 1.-THE depth
off, What did it all mean? 1t was
no woman s voice that l heard, for the
words had been spoken by a mana
man for whom in that one instant l
conceived a violent hatred. My God!
Could it be possible that Mabel, my
dear loving Mabel, had decei- No!'
cried in 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, could not distinguish solitary
word. Presently the sounds became
more audible and the words clearer.
With caution l pressed an1iously for
ward.
but I wanted to surprise you, love, u
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. 1 was stunned.
Utterly bewildered. I stood as one il
a 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 a hater Of womankind, Z
scoffer at all things feminine, should
fall SO deeply in love, dream-sao
dream!-that Lore reciprocated and Their
suddenly learn that the woman cher.
ished and believed true and faultless, fol
whom no sacrifice had been OF was too
great. this woman had trihed with me-
This tickle, falthless woman had deceived
ms?
rrow long the painful reverie contin-
ned have no idea. 1t may have been
few seconds; it may have been an hou1
cannot tell. 7 was dead to all feel
Ming save that of my humiliation and
shame. impulse led me TO seize my hal
md leave the house, hide my head from
be sight IF men and ever aft II cut SO
I'LL musing, I turned to take my
Nan loud, merry laugh from thu
ri sske ne to my senses. Laugh
III were laughing over it.
il nc longer. Pain and sor
pnJv the wound to m,
led
g establishment gave way
anger. Anger became
III my poor hat upon thu
the door. My BLOOD
in me. Unconscious
.ts.
ssgss laugh. Surely my
that time! They
were they? All
laughs best VIII
rushed upol
ss desperation
III / had been
ALT woult
ali the iousybod.
gorge viii sa7
~ heard Ma
laughed again
the most as
Aensweret
laugh. 6
BILE abou