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

was sure Jnck loved me. Ho had, In
an intermittent sort of way, ever since we
were married three years before. But aft
CT tho noblo fashion of mon, having got
possession OF tho desired object and being
suro that tho heart of that object belonged
entirely and wholly to him, he had ceased
to mako much effort to show his affection
or oven keep it up to normal heat. Occa-
sionally there was relapse to the old low
erlike devotion, little anxiety on his part
to givo me somo of his society, q littlc rec
reation, q bit of fun in the shape of an old
time jaunt that used, alas to be SO many
and now woro so rare.
But, on tho whole, things moved OIL in n
jog trot way, varied once in awhile by n
burst of tears and sobs from me that at first
nc tried to sootho and from which at last
nc rushed away. Some of my older friends
told mo that my experience was tho usual
ono.
Men, my DEAR" said my cousin Theo.
pretty matron ten years my senior "mcn
arc not put up rs wo nro unfortunately, no.
In proportion rs n woman grows fond they
grow cold. Never were words moro truly
written than Byron's Lovo is of man s
life thing apart, etc. had to get used
to it myself, and 1 shed buckets of tears
the first year Tom and wero married.
Tho first night he stnid ut tho club till l
and smclled frightfully of vino when he
got homo 1 nearly had a lit. / cried and
vowed should go back to dear mamma.
But didn't, and now we get OH comfort
ably. Tho bills arc my greatest sorrow.
and nothing short of tho sight of Tom nc
tually kissing tho cook or cloping with an
opera singer would arouse my indiuna-
ton"
thought Thco heartlcss. The future
she pictured seemed dreary one, but 1
gradually fell into that very state of mind.
L grew to be sorviloly grateful for tho
crumbs of old timo tenderness that fell to
my lot and oven sometimes congratulated
myself that Jack refraincd from actually
being unkind. Such is tho humility of
women and dogs.
But there camo change thought
was hardened to almost rs much us cous-
In Theo, but found TINT things had not
been so bad that they could not DO worse.
Jnck grew moro and moro distract When
he had read the paper, instead of his usual
polite inquiries after my health occupa-
tons, etc., no relapsed into deep fits of
rovcrie. Something was certainly trou-
bling him. was sorry for him, oven ven
turcd to put n cnrcssing hand on his soft
brown hair and nsk II business wcro going
wrong. He would rouse himself, answer
hastily, and getting his hat go off hurried
ly. There wero many little sermons
preached on economy about this time; tho
nuty OF woman to savo--our income was
very moderate ono. When I spoke of a
trip to tho country, the proposition met
with ominous silence at first Then
could go alono this year" Didn't 1
think 1t was about rs pleasant at homo as
anywhere. Now, in our little country trips
Jack had seemed moro like tho dear old
fellow who had wooed and won mo in tho
sweet past. L was lonth to give it up. But
my heart had taken in these oft rcpcnted
lessons as to woman's duty. Visions of
selfish wives Haunting gayly at scashoro
amt mountain resorts while their dear lords
at homo were submerged by waves of care,
loaded down by bulk of work, rose before
me. No. would not be selfish, said
bravcly. would stay at homo and was
rewarded by an old time kiss
But tho atmosphere did not clear. Jack
tossed restlcssly in his sleep. He groaned
ana muttered almost unintelligiblo words
Leaning over him with visions of delirium
In my mind, was suro 1 caught an occa-
sional word, even phrase, "Sho is a beau
ty." Oh, am suro he said that, and
then, "Aricl is q sumner" I woke him
but he denied having said word, growl-
ed ut being walked and was distinctly
cross.
But life lost evon its calm content for
mo. Yes, to bo sure had got accustomed
to dull, gray days, to weeks Of monotony,
but was not prepared for this keen pain,
This frightful jealousy that took possession
Of me. Jack was in love- There was DO
manner Of doubt of it, Did ho not have
all tho signs--abstracted silent, troubled.
with dreams of the beloved, unattainabo
object, whoever she was. He was very
busy In the office 1 know, but there were
the evenings, tho cool, scented summer
nights that had once been so sweet Jack
would bolt his dinner, kiss mo perfuncto-
rily and rush off. He had to meet a man
at the club or ho was going to fathers
Father lived Mt the other end of town,
but ono evening found my way out there.
| was ashamed of myself hated tho idea
that l could not trust my husband
would not watch him. Still in spite of it
all my feot turned in that direction. Me-
chanlcally l took tho car that led to tho
door OF Jacks parental abode. walked
up to the veranda, on which sat merry
group OF young people. They greeted me
cordially.
Where's Jnok2"
Isn't he hcro?" asked with that sick
ening feeling at my heart that all Jealous
women know.
mo. He hasn't been here for weeks"
For wccksl And twice in tho last week
he had gone to fathers"
controlled myself bravely, laughed with
The rest, and brother Will took me home
Ah, cruel mockcry to call that abode of
tears and sorrow homel 1t was homo no
longer. With gay good night I let my
self into the silent house and threw my
self on my bed III fit OF hystcrical sob
bling. Why, why did men make women
love them only to neglect them, bctray
themy Why had .Iack-my handsome
darling Jack-como into my happy life