The morning times., 1897-02-28

among the numbeE-should worship you
l am Mrs. Lewis, madam said the lady,
and then, dropping into a chair, she burst
into tears
Mrs Abingdon went beside the unhappy
woman and patted her on the shoulder.
Dear child she said, the thought that
you are Mr.. Lewis wife should not cause
you to shed a tear. You should be glad,
rather than sorry, that YOU are married to
gentleman who is so highly esteemed
Your husband, Mrs. Lewis is a great friend
of mine, and hope that his wife ma be-
come even a greater. y
"Ah-aill" moaned the lady. "A friend?
friend? Oh, give me back my husband,
woman-sive me back my husband, whom
you stole from me-
My good woman" said Mrs. Abingdon.
you have need to calm yourself / can As.
sure you thatl have not your husband in My
keeping. Would you like to search theroom?
Look under the Sofa-into the cupboar.ls!"
Il know that he left here half an ho;r
ago; watched him. said Mrs Lewis.
You watched him? on, fie!"
You may make a mock of me if you
please. l expected that you would, but he
is my husband andI love him: believe that
he loved me until your wltchcry came over
him.
Listen to me, my poor child. You have
spoken some very foolish words since ynl
came into this room. From whom have you
heard that your husband was-wen, en-
shared by me?"
From whom? Why, everyone knows
it, cried Mrs Lewis, And besides, ]
got a letter that told me-
"A letter from whom?''
Front suppose she was lady; at any
rate, she said that she sympathized with
me, and / am certain that she did,
'Ah, the letter was not signed by her
real name, and yet you believed the ISLANDERS
that you knew came from jealous
woman?'
Nay, did not need to receive any letter:
my husband s neglect of me made me aware
OF the truth an, it is the truth, whether
you deny it or noi''
Look YOU, my dear, ill-treated creature.
l do assure you that l have no designs
upon your husband. / do not care if |
never see him again, except on the stage
Il will not believe what | have heard
she said. ''An nd yet-yet-you are so
very beautiful
Then you think it impossible l should
have any good in me-" laughed the actress
Well, l do believe that l have some good
in me. Listen to me, you little goose Why
have you allowed your husband to neglect
you and to come here askingm to sup with
him at VauXhall?''
Il protest Mrs Abingdon, that l scarce
take your meaning; | have nothing to re-
proach myself with. have ever been the
<Np,,
about to balls and routs, as some wives do:
have remained at home with my baby
Exactly And so your poor husband has
been forced TO ask certain actresses to bear
him company at those innocent pleasures
which he, in common with most gentlemen
of distinction en- joys. All, It's you domestic
wives that will have to answer for your hus-
bands backslidings.'
''Is it possible that-why, madam YOU be-
wilder me. You think thatI should don't
know what you think-Oh, I'm quite bewil-
dered.'
why, child, you have not seen enough of
the world to have learned that a woman
is most attractive to man when he per-
ceives that she is admired by other men?
Your good husband is, / doubt not, fond
enough Of you, but let me tell you my sweet
young wife, husband is a horse that re-
Quires the touch of a spur now and again.
A jog trot is not what suits a spirited crea
tu-e''
Heavens, madam! You mean that he
my husband-w ould be true to me if only
-I-I-"
Dear Child, 60 to the gardens, not with
your husband, but with another man and
you will soon see him return to you with all
the ardor of n lover with rival In view.
Jealousy is the spur which husband needs
to recall him to a sense of his duty now and
again.
Il may be foolish; but cannot bring my
self to go alone with any man to the gar
dens,'' said her visitor, in low tcne.
'Then good-by to you,' cried the actress,
with wave Of her hand.
She rose from her seat and yawned,