The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-03-22

in many ways, yet still retained much of
her old shrinking manner. Still, had dis
covered she was intelligent and fairly we'll
read. Her companionship filled void that,
if alone as youth left me, would have been
keenly felt had never cared or troubled
myself to look below the surface of my
wife's nature, but the last night we spent
! together | was, perforce, to learn what its
silent depths of reserve hid
We had both been dining out at different
houses, after the delightfully."- emancipated
fashion of our nineteeth-century civiliZa-
ton. On my way upstairs noticed light
burning brightly in her dressng-room, and
| glanced in as passed the open door She
had fallen asleep in an armchair drawn up
close to the fire.
| Poor little soul. how tired she looked,
the costly finery-for not even her da-
monds had been removed-crushed and
disordered by her careless attitude. Stir
red by "A vague pity, walked over to the
chair and laid my hand on her shoulder.
She started up, facing me like one at
bay, still dazed with sleep, and under the
influence of some train of thought
"Yon have broken my heart-my starved
heart
| The words came in rapid murmur; her
eyes retained their unseeing look, as she
went on: Child, girl, woman! it has been
always the same story. The money allur-
ed while my heart ached, bled for love-
The day of our marriage looked into your
eyes and read the truth"
1 tried to interrupt the viii. confession.
Kate, you are ill., not yourself l will
send for your maid.'
She did not seem to hear me- Then l
knew my fate; knew that, loving you with
my whole heart, 1 was nothing in your
eyes. That was not all; gradually your
infatuation for another woman made you
long to be free. Though every night and
morning prayed that God would let me
die, lived. At last you left me; fed the
flame of your passion until it died out in
stately and disgust. From distance
watched you drift always with the tide,
never against it. Time went by; you had
completely forgotten my existence, till the
prompting of a capricious fancy suggested
could grace a niche that your artistic
sense felt as empty. Tread your thoughts,
knew that l was simply expected to play
my part, never to interfere with your lib
erty in any way. 1t was a difficult role,
yet determined to fill it. My God. how
| have suffered in this bargain To know
that each graceful attention meant moth
ing; to be near you, yet always so far away.
Why is it that we plain women are given
souls, minds, hearts. Must we always stand
watching while the affection we would
sacrifice much to inspire is lavished so
freely on our more fortunate sisters. Is it
fair that all our lives we should suffer
through no fault of our own.''
Her voice died away in a moan of pain,
while | stood staring at her. speechless,
shocked. Was this the soulless creature l
had married? This outraged woman cry
ing out for the rights nature had denieds
My experience with women had taught me
never to argue always to persuade. You
are excited, tired" l began soothingly;
''else you would not imagine l underrate
your goodness, my little Fidelis." She
echoed the name: 'Fidelis, it means faith
fulness, | am glad;' in lower tone: You
think me faithful The fire had died out
of her eyes; she was once more my quiet,
patient wife. 1t was late: was too tired
to indulge in any display of feeling, even
if had felt in the mood With brief |
goodnight left her and went up to my
own room, and was soon sunk in the sound |
dreamless slumber of perfect health.
Under a sense of suffocation, | woke to |
1t was not until | reached Kate's room
that realized what ravages the fire had
already made. The house-an old build |
ing-burnt like match, and found that |
exit by the lower stairs was already cut |
off. Clinging together, we stumbled |
through the darkness to the bay-window |
in the upper hall. The engines had ar
rived, and the men were doing their best |
AS we climbed out on the broad ledge, |
shout from the crowd told us we had been |
observed. had wrapped my heavy coat
about her, and, as she leaned trembling
against me, l heard her whisper to herself |
one word: "Fidelis." Afterwards l under
stood. e. Now then, look sharp. Give
me hold of the lady; there's only room for
one at time. I'll try and come back for
you, sir, but it's a close call. What's the
matter? Is she mad?" Not mad, only
faithful. | can hear yet her swift reply:
II will not go till my husband is safe
| thank God was man enough to refuse
to take her place. In the second of time
that passed as we stood there, she lifted |
her face to mine like a child. kiss me-"
she pleaded; ''then, if l must go, stand |
away where can't see you Ihad scarce
ly obeyed her, when cry of borrow from
the fireman made me turn. Instead of al
lowing herself to be carried down the lad
der, my wife had leaped to her death. That
the act had been done to save my life, in
spite of myself, was the btterest knowl- !
edge of all. Strong man as l was, l must /
have tainted, for | remember nothing more |
about my escape till came back to con
sciousness and found myself among pity /
ing friends. That is all; my story is fin
ished but can you wonder that till | die | |
shall cherish the memory of one true wo- t
man,-of Fidelis.
The citizen struggled
Let me alone. or | will call the police
he cried.
The highway robber wayered.