Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-01-02
An INTERCHANGE Of ROLES,

quite ready to admit that his morals were
somewhat faulty, sometimes he admitted
it genially sometimes with mild self
reproach, but always with the air of be-
ing quite irresponsible for his failings;
and, indeed, he was one of those men
whom scarcely anyone judges hardly.
Good looks, pleasant smile, an easy
atfectlonateness and generous hand are
excellent covers for very serious faults,
if too feryid liking for the good things
of this life, including Wine and women,
IS to be counted among them.
Hang it, you know a pretty woman
can always make a fool of me- he used
to acknowledge, "and | positively can't
help it. Lillian knows it, too"
Lillian was Mrs. Stanhope and she GER
tainly had abundant reason to know it,
Charlie had married her in a fit of in
fatuation for her beauty, and amid the
ominous prophecies of their friends as
to their future happiness; and if the hus-
~ inclined, they might have had the sat
isfaction of Knowing that they still af-
forded thrilling topic of conversation
to their social circle.
In the course of five years of married
life there had been much for Lillian to
forgive; and Charlie had habit of sud
denly confessing himself to her and re-
ceiying absolution for his sins, under
the shadow of which for a month he
would live irreproachably, forsWear his
club, going to no supper parties and eS-
corting his wife to afternoons and balls
and reverting altogether to the husband
lover of their honeymoon. In very truth
it is not too much to say that he loved
and respected his wife above any living
creature only it was not in his nature to
be faithful to any woman.
You are a saint, Lillian, my pure white
lily he often said, in his fits of remorse;
"and I'm a black brute, not fit to kiss the
hem of your Dress
And he thoroughly believed it, too, for
the time being.
SO when one morning he came down
to breakfast and opened and read a GER
tain letter that was lying on his plate,
he only experienced furious anger
in a hand awkwardly sloped the wrong
way, and obviously feminine, and bore
the ominous signature, "a Well Wisher,"
and contained nothing but a savage and
coarse attack upon his wife, coupling
her name with that of man who had
just been VIGOROUSLY expelled from Il
smart club for cheating at cards. Char
lies handsome face flushed darkly, ana
he muttered a savage oath under his
breath.
What devils some women are. Can't
they even leave Lillian alone? She, of
all women in the world, to be written of
so! It's that jade, Maud Bellair, I'm
certain. She has never forgiven me for
refusing to introduce her to Lillian. Well,
l may be a backyard myself, but my
wife shall never speak to such women.
She mist never know of it. 1t would
half kill her, and if 1 showed it to her
she might, perhaps, think | suspected
what would the world be coming to
and to couple her name with Hugh
Dacre's! It's pity she didn't try to
invent something little more probable
His faith in his wife was not shaken
for an instant; no devout worshiiper
would think of dethroning his pure, white
idol, because some miscreant throws a
clod of dirt at it; but the words of the
letter fascinated him, as things impos-
sible and monstrous do; and he was so
absorbed in it that he did not heed a
footstep coming through the open door,
and started violently when hand was
laid ON his arm and Lilian's vocie said
ferociously?''
ooh, nothing of any consequences
st,pid letter. he said confusedly, try
ing to crumple it up; but his wife put
her finger on it.
Are you so anxious l shouldn't see
it?' she said reproachfully.
1T isn't what you think at all, M,
he said. guessing her suspicious; It's
not letter from Il woman-at least-l
mean, it's of no Importance.
''Let me see it then" she persisted,
gently trying to draw it away.
"Oh don't read it, dear: it's an abom-
inable shameful letter! / wouldn't have
YOU pollute your eyes by reading it. he
said, taken Off his guard. Il entreat
you not to read it!''
"Why, you must think I am something
more than a woman to refrain after
that" said Mrs. Stanhope, smiling as
she drew it from his reluctant fingers.
She was a very lovely woman. slender
and fair, with pathetic gray eyes and a
serenely sad mouth. and the smile gave
lust the last touch her beauty wanted.
Don't think l heed it for an instant.
I know we'll enough who's done it, said
Charlie. nobly; but she held up her hand
for silence, as she quickly read the sheet.
He could see her eyes travelling from
line to line; could see a flush quickly
rise to her forehead, and as swiftly
change to wilderness.
'Ah. Lii, my darling! | knew you
could not stand it; [ oughtn't to have let
YOU read it, he said, catching at her as
she swayed slightly, but she freed her
self and stood facing him, with parted
lips.
"Then you don't believe it," she said,
slowly.
"Believe it! My God, what question
from you to me! My queen, my saint!
AS if I'd believe all the. world against
your' he broke out. passionately. GIVE
been a bad lot myself, but do you think
| don't know a good woman when |
find one?'
''You'd believe me against the world
she echoed. "but if | joined the world
against myself, what would you believe
HEMP
Il don't know what you mean Don't
Jest on such a subject, and, trust me,
I'll make the woman who wrote those
lies smart for it.
But they are not lies" said Lillian
Stanhope, slowly. at is the simple
truth"
He looked at her in utter bewilder-
ment. What did she mean? What
was she talking of? Was she out OF her
mind?
.sYou don't seem to understand" she
said. quietly. every word in that let
ter is true
He did not answer, but still stood gaz-
ing at her. She had crossed over to the
mantelpiece and stood with one elbow
resting on it. her face turned toward