The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-21

her vivacity and love of fun were
simply boundless.
Without giving the matter a mo-
ment's consideration, thinking only
that Tom was more than kind to call
for her, clapping her hands and cry
ing, How delightful" she rushed
from the room, and in ten minutes
reappeared fully equipped in rich
| furs.
She did look beautiful, I must con-
fess, with her sparkling blue eyes and
rosy cheeks; and Tom may be excused
if he felt proud to have such COM
panion.
Well, they had merry time. But
when it was all over and Madge was
going up the steps, Bella Fremont
met her. Bella had critical element
in her nature, and, besides, had once
on a time cast longing glances at
Tom. They were not returned, how
ever, and the indignity was never for
given.
Bella simply said "Ah" as she
passed, and then, for the first time,
Madge saw that she had committed
an indiscretion. Her red cheeks be-
came white, and her beautiful eyes
filed with tears of vexation at her
own stupidity.
That night she had little sleep.
What would Jack say2 How could
she explain to hims She heard the
clock strike one, then two, then three;
and after that she dropped into well
come forgetfulness.
She concluded, after long debate,
to tell Jack the whole story, and trust
to his love to forgive. cts the best
way" she said rather mournfully; cat
any rate l shall preserve my own
self-respect, for 1 positively cannot
deceive him."
So when Jack returned, she awaited
her opportunity and told him every
thing.
l have already intimated that he
had jealous temperament.
l can only add that he didn't be-
lieve word she said.
He shrugged his shoulders, flushed
in the face, and muttered an oath or
two while she was talking. When
she had finished he went to the win
dow, thrust his hands into his pock-
cts, and whistled.
''It's perfectly clear" he said to
himself. "She tells me because she
is afraid not to. Look at it. l go
away. The moment [ am out of sight
one of her old lovers turns up with
couple of horses and sleigh. She
goes off and has gay time. She has
grown tired of me already. She wants
more excitement than my presence
can afford her. Yes," and he sighed
profoundly, Il see how it is"
The wound was never healed. To
this day Jack believes that Madge is
wilful and coquette.
They drew apart, and in the course
of two years he had plenty of reason
for complaint. He created, by his
want of confidence, the very faults
which he unjustly attributed to her.
Had he taken her in his arms in that
hour of confession; had he told her
that she had done him great wrong,
but he believed every word she said,
and would never refer to the subject
again, she would be his happy wife
today without doubt. But he was her
worst enemy and his own worst enc
my. He had black look on his
face; he was sarcastic; he gave her
plainly to understand that he sus-
pected her; he spent his evenings at
the club, and studiously neglected
her.
Last year they were SO far apart
that legal separation was obtained.
Jack is cynical, sour, Grabbed fell
low, who delights in making bitter
remarks about women; and she we'll,
let the subject drop.
The truth is, Jack was Madge's
husband, but not her friend. He was
harsher in his judgment than he
would have been to any other women
under the same circumstances.
Women may be angels, but at the
same time they are human. Men
may be honorable, but sometimes
they are fendish toward those they
love best.
God pity US, say l, when we are in
jealous mood; for all the imps of
Satan are let loose upon us like
pack of hounds on deer.
At this point the clock on the man
tel struck twelve, very late hour for
the woods. The fire had gone ont,
and only few charred bits remained,
which gave fitful blaze, as though
they had grown weary.