The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-23

moro useless tears. He hated tears But I
must be wise. would not play tho rolo of
neglected, deceived vito any longer.
hated deceit and treachery, but would
watch him. 1 would surprise his secret
| and then net
Jack cnIne up stairs slowly, stiffiy, It
seemed to mo. He fell over chair that in
my hurry 1 had loft near the door. 1t
must have hurt him frightfully, for am
suro no said a bad word. Then no lighted
tho gas and coming to the bed looked at
mo oiosuly. / was sleeping quietly, serene
~ Not n limo on my face nor hurried
breath betrayed tho seething tumult with
III me- He was satisfied apparolEAy and
turned away. 1 looked at him through
half closed eyes and could scarcely restrain
| myself
On his white brow was cruel mark His
clothing was muddy and disarranged He
drew off his coat slowly and painfully and
sank into chair. almost screamed, but
my pride kept mo still. Something terri
bic had happened to my husband. What
could it have becnp
Had he met some relative of his inn
morata and ono of those horrible scenes
taken place with which tho columns Of our
papers arc full? Was 1t thus no returned
TO his wife, tho woman no Ind sworn to
love and honor? AS no sat sadly and dis
figured in tho armchair, seemingly too worn
even to attempt to undrcss heard him
muttcr between clinchcd teeth: 81 will
win yet. will not DO conquered by such
"a L lost tho rest, but tho dreadful
tragedy was clear. 1t had been easy
enough to win me- was a confiding fool
-Dut this Other ono was not so lightly
won. Ho had to encounter difficulties
there made up my mind then and there
to my course of action.
Next day, even SO soon as that, my time
came. had been kind; but, as usual, 1
had hidden my grief and pain would
not have thought that l. innocent trust
Ing girl that was but few short months
ago, could have so developed into n watch
full, double faced woman, but sorrow is
thorough teacher When Jack came to
dinner that night he had his fdus Achates
with him-Harry Fleming, gay bachelor,
and who felt sure was Jacks confldant,
OF whom indeed had been little Jealous
once, but now 1 hardly knew whether to
join hands with him as ono who betrayed
or to look on him rs u confederate Of NV
faithlcss husband.
His greeting was rs warm and cordial
as of yorc, and rs he held my hand felt q
nttlo bit of warmth steal into my Door
cold heart. Aftcr dinner the gentlemen
smoked their cigars on the veranda 1 sat
Just inside tho long windows and touched
the keys softly. How often had sat so,
just whore I could sec Jack's curly head,
his beautiful profile and have been suro
TINT when L struck some familiar chord he
would turn and smile. ALL Then and
nowl
lie was oblivious to inc, of my music I
stopped playing. I caught snatchcs of con-
versation. Harry's voice fell on my ear.
We'll, old follow how're you getting on
with Tho hateful word was lost MS
an electric car dashed by. Then Jack
said: Slowly. 1 am almost discouraged,
will admit Would you like to 20 and
see hcr?' Then no glanced into tho shad.
owy room. "You there, Ncll?' 1 made
no answer 1 stopped to cavesdrop. Was
not justified? They arose went from
tho back door into tho hall, and rs Jack
called out, "Ncll, wc'rc going to tho club"
answered calmly, but as they won't to tho
gate sprang to tho closet, snatched q long
cloak and hat and veil, and when the men
got on tho car woman followed them to
whom they gave not even n glance
The chr dashed on. The yelled woman
In tho corner shivcred with excitement.
Down In tho heart of tho city tho two men
stepped off and mado their way, closely
followed by their follow passenger, to n
long, low building, now lighted up, and
from where sounds of music issued. /
recognized tho place. 1t was tho armory
where our brave militia were won't to gath
or, ami which was moro often tho scene of
concert, fair, dog show or some such ex-
hibition.
L had forgotten In my excitement to
glance at tho sign that was wont to show
to outsiders tho nature of the scene with
In. L passed close behind Jack and his
friend, still unobscrved. Tho big doors
swung behind us. My heart beat wildly
Was the mystery to DO cleared up? Was
sho here OF was L still to DO the victim?
Whom had got accustomed TO tho light I
saw group of men and women sitting
around tho hall watching intently.
paused, as did my escorts (?). My eyes
followed theirs. Slowly circling round
and round to the music of tho Second Reg
imont band went men and women on
their airy stoods. 1 hardly took them In,
for the men turned to fourth standing
near, and Jack said in tones OF authority.
Bring her out, joe
Then, turning to Harry, he went on
II am ashamed of myself 1 thought I
was something of an athlete, but this crea-
ture has almost mastered mo. Last night
L got terrible fall that about decided me
to give up the effort, but you know hate
to DO beaten nj anything. 1 was so bruised
and stiff after my header that was almost
AFRAID to go home. Fortunately Nell, dear
girl, was asleep. / had n mark under nv
eye equal to prizcilgbtcr's bathed
1t, and luckily for me, with tho aid of q
little of Ncll's powder, it was hardly vsi-
bio this morning, and 1 was spared any
embarrassing questions l don't think
Nell suspects. have tried to keep it from
her, for l imagined she would mako fun of
me for getting the fever but, by Jovc, it's
been hard thing to do. You know, Har-
ry, it's tho first secret I've had from my
wife Oh, here is Joo!" And Joe came