The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-07-17
RISING SUN, CECIL MD FRIDAY, JULY II, 1896.

"You'vc seen hiln--alone 2" cried AIey-
nell, his voice strained and harsh with
an anxiety he strove to hide.
Lydia wrinkled her delicate brows in
an effort of memory.
"Yes-dear--twice. Our tall. was alb
solutely ON business matters, and we
were naturally alone. Dick-why Dick,
what is the 'matter3 What have l
donc?"
Her face blanched as white as the
soft fSS about her throat, and.her voice
rang out with piteous fear, as with a
great groan Dick Meynell rose from his
chair and caught her in his arms.
"My sweetheart, my poor wronged
love-I fear that you have ruined both
our lives"
Even as he spoke the door shut sharp
ty to behind them, and q heavy, slow
tread advanced into the room
VERY pretty, upon my word-a sweet
picture, indeedl" rasped q voice from
the other side Of the table
With a cry Lydia Vernon, still in the
arms of the man she loved, turned to
iIlI liCA Auobdho liC1.
He was u small man, neatly groomed,
we'll dressed and not Unlocking at the
first glance, but whole world of malice
CLEANED in his close-set eyes as he
stared at the pair before him.
'Umph!" and he shrugged his shoul
ders and grinned q little wider. you
are O nice woman to set up as an In
jured wife, alen't you? Such O. pretty
tale as you told oil the world about
me! Heavens! you painted me as black
as the lncarnate, and oil the while you'd
lover dangling at your skirts"
The red blood flashed across Lydia's
white face and o protest leaped to her
innocent lips. But her husband waved
his hand at her and laughed little
more than ever.
''Oh, you needn't be afraid, my dear!
I'm going TO set you an example of
magnaniInity. I'm not going to drag
your precious name through the di-
vorce court. No such luck for you--
my dear, d'you hear?"
AS lhis laugh ended In the well-re-
membered snarl, Lydia sprang forward,
leaving Meynell, dumb and sick with
the foreboding Of the real truth, bo-
hind her.
''What do you mean by talking to me
Of the divorce court?" she cried. "You
are not my husband. You have no fur
ther right over me or my actions. I OBJ
tanned decree nisi against you six
months ago"
(which was not made absolute to-
day" retorted Vernon. "Those two pri-
vate interviews op business upset your
little arrangements, my dear"
'Then am still" hegasped.
"My wife? Why, certainly-and, BY
heavens, you shall remain so as long us
both of us are above ground!" cried
Mr.. Vernon, triumphantly.
Then he turned on Meynell, whose
wide eyes could see nothing but the
wreck of his shattered dreams
"And now, Mr.. Lover, I'll thank you
to leave my wife's apartment at once
and not show yourself here again. And
perhaps, as you go, you'd better thank
your stars that I've let you off without a
horsewhipping."
For u moment Meynell only saw red,
and the cry. "Kill him! Kill him.
thundered In his ears. But q light
touch, low voice overrode the storm
Of passion
rGo, my loveg farewell forever, ]
shall not be with him for long"
He turned as he reached the door and
took ono last look OF her. There We're
no tears In her eyes or convulsion of
grief upon her face only she was gray
with the grayness Of approaching
death, and In the bright light she
looked very worn and sad.
AS he closed the door a brighter flame
Hared and died on the hearth. Lydia
had thrown the slip Of paper whereon
was planned her honeymoon tour into
the heart of the glowing coals.-Pick'
Me-Iyn