The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-05

III 10 r-iAlAr III any rillf-AN -alUAlA AAHf ~
know continued Mrs. Burton with In
creasing irritation. what D. is he does
want IL he's ashamed Of You
Hes not ashamed Of me- cried Nellie.
you know that perfectly well, but he
hates society He says he wont 90 into
''And who's asking 1ira To 90 into ito"
ret iruef her mother. with great inconsis-
tencv. "All We want him TO do Is 10 De
sOciable-a dinner party now and then, a
garden party now and then, and oeca-
sioually." Mrs Burton emphasized "oc-
casiOnally' with great sarcasm, TO per
NIT ms Wife's visitors 10 know that she
really has "a husband. Why. / expect there
are the most extraordinary stories aitoat
about him. ] can fancy Mrs. Lincoln and
Miss Grey comparing notes-'llo you ever
thing in the background you may be sure
Drink probably, OF perhaps insanity. ana
so ON. Oh its disgracefui.' continued Mrs.
Burton. her indignation rising so that her
cup and saucer ratified In her hand. And
there's Mrs. Nernon's Clara married to
young DicksOn-such company as they
keep, and not half your income" The irate
lady paused for breath, and then finished
her tea at a. gulp.
Nellie froWned. Il can't help it, she
more people. but my duty is 10 please my
husband. and IL doesn't please him to do
more than take me TO the theater now
and then"
Then pray may I ask YOU cried her
mother. what is the use Of all the lovely
dresses he has given you, II no one is ever
TO see themY'
Il dress for my husband. mamma" re-
oiled Nellie, coldly. for no one else
and getting up she left the room. Her
mothers words had, however, sunk deep
~ into her heart. Would there be stories
about Frank? Would people think 1t very
strange and say he drank, or worse still
was mad If he would persist in denying
himself to visitors? He had "A male friend
10 dinner now and then, and once for
half an hour, ne had come into the draw
ing room when several ladies were hav-
ing afternoon tea with her But he had
never repeated the latter experiment.
Have as many friends as you like. my
darling he had said. but. understand,
don't expect me to entertain them, for
cannot stand women"
Nelly, with true wifely instinct. per
ceived that her lord would never be
driven. and like a wise woman, she bided
her time to lead him. If only her mother
would not interfere she felt sure that
time would eventually come; but not yet.
She remained upstairs for some tine.
room IL was close 10 the dinner hour.
How late Frank is she said address
ing her mother, who still sat by the fire.
Il wonder where he is"
Capt. Beaufort has returned and gone
out again" said Mrs. Burton, sternly.
Her voice was hoarse and her face was
red. Nellie looked at her. The express
sion on her mothers face struck her.
What is it," she exclaimed mamma.
You've been talking TO him"
i've been giving him a piece Of my
DlnQs returned MIS-. buIlOl. We just
been telling him it's shameful TO keep you
shut up like this. and to hide himself away
as he does. creating scandal among all
our friends. Yes, l said those very
For the first time in her life Nellie was
violently angry with her mother.
1t was late thatnight before Capt. Beau
fort returned. His wife heard his step on
the verandah and ran to open the door be-
fore he had time to use his latch key. She
dragged him into the cosy little dining
nrha a mi rs We a
the supper laid pushed him into an essay
chair and knelt down beside him.
Now up to this moment the injured man.
with man-like injustice, had blamed Mel
lie for Mrs. Burton's attack upon him. In
fact that lady had represented her daugh-
ter as quite agreeing with her, only
Nellie OWNED all this from the express
sion of her lords face; and also perceived
that he was IN no mood for argument
Darling" she said. I'm so sorry. for
give me- urf
Now, there is nothing in this world that
so quickly disarms a man. and restores
him to good humor Especially If he knows
himself to be In the wrongl as the course
of conduct which Nellie now pursued
Her tactics were. with utter disregard of
truth, and without making any to-do, to
own herself wholly and solely to blame
and to ask forgiveness
What can man want more? He can't
say he won't forgive: that would show
such a very bad temper. and 1t would be
foolish. on the other hand, not to let his
wife rest I'm the belief that she also, in a
measure was in the wrong.
The best way out of the difficulty is to
kiss and be friends; and this the captain
instantly did.
He took Nellie in his arms and kissed
her sweet face over and over again. He
even went so far as to murmur that he
was "a brute" but Nellie stopped him
with her soft mouth against his.
1t was too bad to vex you, dear" she
said, I'm so angry with mamma. You
shan't be bothered with seeing people
If you don't like it,"
'iDo YOU mind SO very much, Nellie?"
Wen, of course, I'm very proud of
you she answered. Few women have
Why. Mrs. stephens, who sits behind us
at church, tod mamma the other day,
that she had never in all her life seen
such a splendid head of hair as yours.
Mamma takes a lot of credit to herself,
on account of the hair-wash she persua-
ded you to use
Nellie laughed, and laid her golden head
against her husbands;
Il always declared" she went on. Il
would never marry man who had not
a curly head of hair. consider it's more
we can curl ours, and they can't.
The captain moved uneasily.
IN rather hungry, dear, he said. put
ting her out of his arms. Lets have
supper. It's nearly u, and I missed my
dinner"
1t was fortnight later, and Mrs Beau
forts afternoon at nome Several fash
ionably dressed visitors had just arrived,
and Nellie, looking charming in a pale
blue tea-gown, was receiving them in
her usual graceful fashion.
Her face was particularly bright and
radiant, for her Frank, of his own accord,
had promised her to appear on the scene
for at least half an hour.
Nellie hailed this as a good sign. If
once he could break through the ice of
his reserve, and like a little society he
would just be "a perfect husband"
She was in the middle of listening to
Mrs. Towards account of the concert
at the British Art Gallery when loud
screams were heard Everyone started
to their feet. Mrs Burton rushed to the
door, and fell against Susan, the house
maid. who entered shrieking wildly.
masters murdered!'
Nellie sank back in her seat half faint
ing.
The other ladies crowded round her.
Mrs. Burton alone retained her presence
of mind; caught the girl by the arm, end
demanded explanation.
Susan. nearly in mysteries. continued to
scream Murder! Help! He's murdered his
self | see il with my own eyes! ="
Where, girl, where?" cried Mrs. Burton.
I'm his dressing room. He's cut his
head off, It's a-lying on his knee. | seed
1t through the keyhoer' snrieked Susan,
instantly lapsed into wild Mysteries.
The scene that followed may be mag