Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-07-19


ponderous footmen, They talked chiefly
about the house, which rooms were
most successful in their new arrange
ment, and so on; little about what
they had been doing in Rome; aud o
little about their plans for the next
I month, what guests we're TO he invited.
and what rooms they were TO occupy
| II was all the most matter of-fact CON
ventional talk but the three men re-
| tired with the impression that Gilbert
Sinclair and his wife were a very happy
couple, and reported to that effect in
the house-keeper's room and the serv-
ants hall.
EeiCre the week had ended the great
house was full Of company. That TO-
verish desire for gayety and change
which had seem part Of Constance's
nature since her mar iage in no way
subsidized on her arrival at Davenant.
She appe AIRED to exist for pleasure, and
pleasure only, and her guests declared
her the most charming hoste that
eve reigned ove a country house.
Lavish as he was, Mr.. Sinclair opened
his eyes to their widest extent when
he perceived his wife's capacity for
81 ending money.
Its rather lucky for you that you
didn't marry aroor man, Constance"
he said with boast III laugh.
She looked at him for amoment with
strange expression, and then turned
very pale. 81 should not have been
all aid TO face poverty, she said, III it
had been my fate to do So ="
at you could have faced it with the
man you liked, Ell, Constance? That's
about what you mean, isn't it?"
rs this intended for complaint,
Gilbert" his wife asked in her coolest
tones. Have been spending too
much money!"
NO. no; | didn't mean that. | was
only cjngratulating you upon your fit
ness for the position of a rich mans
wife"
This was the first little outbreak of
jealousy of which Gilbert Sinclair had
been guilty He knew that his wife
did not love him. that his conquest had
been achieved through the influence of
her family and he was almost angry
with himself for being so fond of her.
He could not forget those vague hints
that had been dropped about Sir Cyp-
rian Dayenant, aud was tormented with
the idea that James Wyatt knew
great deal more than he had revealed
on this point This hidden jealousy
had been ut the bottom of the pur-
chase Of the Davenant estate He took
a savage delight in reigning over the
the little kingdom from which his rival
had been deposed.
Among the visitors from London APP
peared Mr.. Wyatt, always unobtrusive,
and always useful. He cOntrived to in
gratia& himself very rapidly in Mrs.
Sinclair's favor and established him
self as kind of adiutant in her house
hold corps, always ready with advice
upon every social subject, from the
costumes in tableau vivant to the
composition of the menu for dinner
party. Constance did not particularly
like him; but she lived in world in
which it Is not necessary to have very
sincere regard for ones acquaintance,
and she considered him an agreeable
person, much to oe preferred to the
genera ity Of her husband chosen
companions, who were men without q
thought beyond the hunting field and
race-course.
Mr.. Wyatt, on his part, was little
surprised to see the manner in which
Lord Clanyarde's daughter filed her
new position. the unfailing vivacity
which she displayed in the perform
ance of her duties as hostess, and the
excellent terms upon which she APP
peared to live with her husband. He
was accustomed, however, to look be-
low the surface Of things, and by the
the time he had been a fortnight at
Davenant he had discovered that all
this brightness and gayety on the part
of the wife indicated an artificial state
of being, which was very far from real
happiness, and that there was a grow
ing sense of disappointment on the
part of the husband.
He was not in the habit of standing
upon much ceremony in his intercourse
with Gilbert Sinclair and on the first
convenient occasion questioned him
with blunt directness upon the subject
Of his marriage.
Il hope the alliance has brought you
all the happiness you anticipated" he
said.
"Oh, yes, Jim" Mr.. Sinclair an
swered, rather modify, my wife suits
me pretty well. We get on very well
together. Shes little too fond of
playing the woman of fashion; but
she'll be tired of that in time, | dare
say. I'm fond of society myself, you
know, couldn't lead a solitary life for
any woman in Christendom; but
should like wife who seemed to care
a little more for my company, and was
not always occupied with other peo-
pie. | don't think we have dfned
alone three times since we were mar
ried."
ITO BE CONTINUED