The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-08-22

spent those hours! resolved WOulu
be brave and cunning. | would not
annoy him by any more useless tears.
He hated tears. But | must be wise;
| would not play the role of neglected,
deceived wife any longer; | hated de-
ceit and treachery, but would watch
him; | would surprise his secret and
then act. Jack came upstairs slowly,
stiffly, it seemed to me. He fell over
chair that in my hurry | had left near
the door. 1t must have hurt him
frightfully, for | am sure he said
bad word. Then he lighted the gas,
and coming to the bed looked at me
closely. l was sleeping quietly, Sc
r1nely; not line on my face nor
hurried breath betrayed the seething
tumult within me. He was satisfied,
apparently, and turned away. l 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 chair. | almost screamed,
but my pride kept me still. Something
terribla had happened to my husband.
| What could it have been? Had he met
some relative of his inamorata's and
one of those horrible scenes taken
I place with which the columns of our
papers s-re full? w as it thus he re
turned 10 his wife, the woman he had
sworn to love and honor? AS he sat
sadly and disigured in the armchair,
seemingly too worn even to attempt to
undress, heard him mutter between
clenched teeth: Il will win yet; | will
not be conquered by such -" l lost
the rest, buo the dreadful tragedy was
clear. 1t had been easy enough to win
mel was "A confding fool-but this
other one was not so lightly won. He
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, l had hidden my grief and pain.
| would not have thought that |, inno-
cent, trusting girl that | was but few
short months ago, could have devel-
/ oped into a watchful, double-faced wom-
an; but sorrow is a thorough teacher
| When Jack came to dinner that night
he had his fidus Achates with him,
! Harry Fleming, gay bachelor, and
/ who, | felt sure, was Jacks confidant;
of whom, indeed, ! had been little
jealous once, but now hardly knew
whether to join hands with him as one
who betrayed, or to look on him as a
confederate of my faithless husband.
| His greeting was as warm and cordial
as of gore, 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 had sat SO, just where l
could see Jacks curly head, his beau
tiful profile, and have been sure that
when | struck some familiar chord he
would turn and smile. All, then and
now! He was oblivious of me, of my
music. l stopped playing. | caught
snatches of conversation. Harry
voice fell on my ear: We'll, old fell
low, how are you getting on with"
! The hateful word was lost as an cleo
trio car dashed by. Then Jack said:
! SLOWLY. | am almost discouraged l
will admit. Would you like to go
and see her?" Then he glanced into
the shadowy room. You there,
Nell?" | made no answer. l stopped
to eavesdrop. Was l 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 sprang to the closet,
snatched 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 car 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 long, low build
ing now lighted up, and from whence
sounds of music issued. ! recognized
the place. 1t 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-
element to glance at the sign that
was won't to show to outsiders the
nature of the scene within. passed
close behind Jack and his friend, still
unobserved. The big doors swung be-
hind u.s. My heart beat wildly. Was
the mystery to be cleared up? Was
she here or was l still to be the victim?
When l had got accustomed to the
light saw 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
womVn on their airy steeds. hardly
took them in, for the men turned to a
fourth standing near and Jack said in
tones of authority: Bring her out,
joe" Then turning to Harry he went
on: Il am ashamed of myself. |
thought was something of an athlete,
but this creature has almost mastered
me. Last night l got terrible fall
that about decided me to give up the
effort, but you know l hate to be
beaten at anything. was SO bruised
and stiff after my header that | was
almost afraid to go home For tunately