The Monticellonian., 1895-08-23
and sorrow home, It was hom. no long

CT. With a goodnight I let myself into the silent house and threw myself on my bed in a fit of hysterical sob ping. Why, why did men make women love them only to neglect them, betray theml Why had Jack-my handsome. darling Jack-come into my happy life and taken me away only to forsake me so! Suddenly l heard ths we'll known step upon the pavement below. l sprang to my feet and put out the light, then speedily disrobed and got into bed before he had locked the doors and made all secure downstairs. He was very slow, thought His step seemed to have lost its elasticity. My heart contracted painfully as thought of his long hours of absence. Where had he been? With whom had he spent those hours? I resolved 1 would be brave and cunning. l would not annoy him by any more useless tears. He hated tears. But I must be wise; l would not play the role of neglected, deceived wife any longer; hated de- ceit and treachery, but l would watch him; l would surprise his secret and then act. Jack came upstairs slowly, stitfiy, it seemed to me. He fell over chair that in my hurry I had left near the door. It must have hurt bim frghtfully, for I am sure he said a bad word. Then he lighted the gas, and coming to the bed looked at me closely. I was sleeping quietly, se- renely; not line on my face nor hurried breath betrayed the seething tumult within me. lie was satisfied, apparently, and turned away. 1 looked at him through half-closed eyes and could scarcely restrain myself. On his white brow a cruel mark. His clothing was muddy and disarranged. He drew off his coat slowly and painfully and sank into a chair. I almost screamed, but my pride kept me still. omething terrible had happened to my husband. What could it have been? Had he met some rela tive of his inamorata's and one of those horrible scenes taken place with which the columns of our papers are full? Was it thus he re turned to his wife, the woman he had sworn to love and honor? As he sat sadly and disfgured In the armchair, seemingly too worn even to attempt to undress, I heard him mutter between clenched teeth: Il will win yet; I will not be conquered by such =" l lost the rest, but the dreadful tragedy was clear. It had been easy enough to win me-I was confding fool-but this other one was not so lightly won. He had to encounter difficulties there. 1 made up my mind then and there to my course of action.
 Next day-even so soon as that my time came 1 had been kind, but, as usual, had hidden my grief and pain. l would not have thought that l. inno- cent, trusting girl that was but few short months ago, could have devel- oped into watchful, doublefaced wom- an; but sorrow is thorough teacher. When Jack came to dinner that night he had his fidus Achates with him, Harry Fleming, gay bachelor, and who, 1 felt sure, was Jacks conddant; of whom, indeed, had been little jealous once, but now 1 hardly knew whether to join hands with him as one who betrayed, or to look on him as confederate of my faithless husband
 
 as of yore, and as he held my hand felt little bit of warmth steal into my poor, cold heart. After dinner the gentlemen smoked their cigars on the veranda. l sat just inside the long windows and touched the keys softly. How often l had sat so, just where 1 could see Jacks curly head, his beau- tiful profile, and have been sure that when I struck some familiar chord he would turn and smile. An, then and now! He was oblivious of me, of my music. I stopped playing. caught snatehes of conversation. Harry's voice fell on my ear: Well, old fel- low, how are you getting on with" The hateful word was lost as an cleo trie ear dashed by. Then Jack said: slowly I am almost discouraged, I will admit. Would you like to go and see her?" Then he glanced into the shadowy room. You there, Nell?" l made no answer l stopped to eavesdrop. Was I not justified? They arose. l went from the back door into the hall, and as Jack called out: Nell, we're going to the club l answered calmly; but as they went to the gate 1 sprang to the closet, snatched a long cloak and hat and veil, and when the men got on the car a woman followed them to whom they gave not even a glance.
 The ear dashed on. The yelled wom- an in the corner shivered with excite ment. Down in the heart of the city the two men stepped off and made their way, closely followed by their fellow passenger, to 8 long, low build ing now lighted up, and from whence sounds of music issued. l recognized the place. It was the armory, where our brave militia were wont to gather, and which was more often the scene of a concert, fair, dog show, or some such exhibition. had forgotten in my ex- citement to glance at the sign that was wont to show to outsiders the nature of the scene within. passed close behind Jack and his friend, still unohseryed. The big doors swung be- hind us. My heart beat wildly. Was the mystery to be cleared up? Was she here or was 1 still to be the victim? When l had got accustomed to the light l saw a group of men and women sitting around the hall watching in- tently. l paused, as did my escorts @. My eyes followed theirs. Slowly circling round and round to the music of the band went men and women on their airy steeds. l hardly took them in. for the men turned to fo,r+b e+apdi irrr ,,aar and Iaoly said in