The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-01-09

1t is unlikely that Alice deceived her.
self with these excuses, even while she
uttered them. It 10 certain that her
friends to whom she addressed them
were not deceived thereby, and her at
tempt to thus exonerate herself did not
give them any better opinion of her.
Many of them told her frankly to her
f,lce that she had treated Bob with I'M
natural cruelty; and when the time
cane for her marriage with Ronald
Armleigh to take place, most of these
friends signified their disapproval by
refusing her invitations to be present
at the ceremony.
Thus it came to pass that the we'd
ding was solemnized before a very
small company, consisting chiefly of the
bridegroom's relations. On Alice's side
only an aunt or two, and Bob-poor Bob
were present. The ceremony was cold,
stiff, and, if the truth must be told,
gloomy. That was scarcely wonderful.
Bob, indeed, tried hard to hide her
misery. But those wan smiles were
only the more melancholy for the at
tempt, and her presence was spectre
at the feast
People said that if there was such a
thing as Providence in this world Of
ours, Alice would never find happiness
in her union with Armleigh, which she
had contrived SO cruelty at the expense
of her little sister. True, Bob did get
over the blow sooner that might have
been expectea; true, the faithful Ger
aid found favor again in those childish
eyes, and something that he one day
said to her brought back to them the
sparkle of life and happiness. Yet this
did not in the least exculpate Alice,
who, at the time of inflicting her un.
natural blow, could never possibly have
foreseen that happy conclusion.
The people who thus expressed them.
selves had reason, by and by, to be very
cock-a-hoop. There was such a thing
as Providence in this world of ours, and
Alice Armleigh did not find hap
piness in her union. A years married
life-a year, it was whispered, of quar-.
rels and contentions-proved to be
enough for both. At the end of that
period Armleigh and Alice separated
by mutual consent.
It was, perhaps, pity that people
could not hear what words passed at
that final and irrevocable quarrel be-
tween Alice and Armleigh. It would
have modified their opinions about
Providence and other kindred matters,
and have induced them, however un.
willingly, to view Bob's sister in
somewhat different light.
This last quarrel took place one
morning at breakfast. Alice had just
said something to her husband which
made him white with rage and NORTH.
cation.
"Do you mean me to understand" he
demanded, fercely, that you married
me simply to get me away from that
sister of yours, and for no other RES
son?"
"Simply: for that, answered his
wife, regarding him steadily with her
clear blue eyes. "Ah, could read your
character better than you thought. ]
was acquainted things
about you-things which it might have
been hard to prove against you, and
which I should have been loath
to prove before that innocent child
things which would have made
your marriage with her gross pollu-
ton. Yes, swear and curse; I am not
afraid of you. Why did I not tell my
sister this? did tell her what I could
all that was fit for her to hear. But
Bob was too true, too faithful, too con-
1iding to listen to these tales against
the man she loved. She would have
married you. Nothing would have
stopped her, unless an insuperable bar
had interviewed. (thank GodD have
formed that insuperable bar"
Course you," he 1nuttered, in hoarse
voice. "That, then, is why, after re-
pelling me first of all with your cold
ness, you afterward made such hard
play to get me back?"
EXACTLY. When I saw that you had
entered our home to ruin one of us, !
swore to myself that your victim should
not be Bob. 1t has not been Bob, and ]
am satisfied"
She spoke in q tone of quiet triumph
which nearly maddened him. He
clenched his fist. I believe he would
have struck her, had she not stood be.
fore him so fearless, so strong, SO scorn.
full. But her aspect cowed him, and he
contented himself with q string of
coarse abuse.
"You know what happened yester-
day." she continued, calmly, never
needing his vile words. Bob was mar
ried to good, true man, who loves her
and will make her happy. All that
aimed at is now accomplished. We
have lived together long enough, Ron.
aid Armleigh. I mean to leave you to-
day-foreverl"
"And where, pray, shall you 60,
MADAME" demanded Armleigh, trying
to force contemptuous laugh. "And
what, do you think, will become Of
you?" ,,
II do not know: and do not care"
Then, as q beautiful smile beamed,
for an instant, upon that strong, calm
face, she added:
Bob is safe; and IL do not mat
ter."-London Truth. :,