St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-10-22

interested.
One night John had promised to
get home early, as they were going
to a iheater; but was nearly eight
o'clock before his key sounded in the
door.
Cicely met him with a r%eproachful
glance. He kissed her, and sat down
YEARLY or the sofa.
Il am dreadlulIy sorry, dearest,
but it wasimpossible t leave earlier
you promised, John; and weshall
be so late"
Eyes. dear, yes, know. Now, you
90 and have some dinner. and when
] am rested a little I'll run up and
dress and be ready as soon as you
are"
"But you can'tgo without dinner"
Eyes, | can. You run along"
He put his hand to his forehead
and pushed back his hair.
Are you so tired. dear?" Cicely
asked, gently, bending over him.
He smiled up at her and took her
hand.
Then we won't go, DEAR" she
said.
Yes. yes. I promised to take you,
Cicely."
IN forgive you. You are very
tired, | can see, and will be much
happier at home"
Dear child" he answered, kissing
her hand, you really don't mind ?"
She turned away and rang the bell
for dinner. She was bitterly disap-
pointed at not going, but she cor
cealed it rom John, and after dinner
played the piano to him, while he
dozed in a chair.
That night was the beginning OF
many things. Cicely sought amuse
ment more at other houses, and went
about with friends instead OF with
her husband. This is the beginning
OF the end with many a love match.
John was now very busy. He sell
dom got home before eight, and very
often found Cicely either going or
gone tosome entertainment, to which
he was disinclined to follow her.
Theyfgradually drew apart, living
different lives, and asking less and
less OF each other. John grew daily
more absorbed in his business. He
was very fond Of Cicely, but he had
given up showing it, and thisis what
a woman hates. Occasionally, after
leaving him to a lonely evening,
Cice!y would come down to break
fast in a repentant mood, wishing to
put things back as they had once
been. She would make some pleas
aut remark, and John would say
yes. dear" or mo, DEAR" in his
quiet tone, and would ask her if she
would have bacon or fish, and then
would open the Times and spread it
before him like some hideous barri-
cade without a loophole, till her
warm intentions iced in pride, and
she finished her breakfast silently.
Cicely, like all women who fancy
themselves neglected. craved for ex-
element, and sought intimacy at
houses to which, a year back, she
would not have cared to go. She
grew extIavagant in dress, wearing
clothes for effect rather than for
adjournment, and walking consciously.
In her new "set" it was fashionable
to play roulette, but the stakes were
moderate, and, with her supply OF
money, the trifling losses were nc in
convenience. The excitement, though,
told on her, and perhaps, after a long
evenings play, she would allow a
compliment to pass unchecked which
would have annCved her in a calmer
spirit. More especially was she leni-
ent TO one man, George Proctor, who,
of all her friends, was the most agree.
able. He was a man in whose ma.
ture the animal somewhat predomi-
mated. He had that sort of cunning
which is wrongly called patience
and he was subtle, making himself
useful to Cicely, with the purpose Of
becoming indispensable.
Cicely liked him; any woman o.
her age and inexperience would prob
ably have done so. He met her very
frequently and often came to the
house. After a few months he lei
tall some remarks on the yoke" o
marriage, and the injustice of al
laws. BY degrees he gained her con
hdence; he learned that her husband
was much away from her, and ht
treated her as a neglected SOUL
offering silent sympathy. Poor
Cicely! She was only %, and thu
desire of her life was denied to her
she had no child. Matters drew or
to a climax at the end of November
a lighted taper soon burns down alic
hurts ones fingers.
III.
John breakfasted alone one morn
ing. Cicely had been at a dance tn,
night before, and was too tired t.
get up as early as eight O'Clock.
When he reached his Office he fount
that he had forgotten some mos
important papers which hehad takel
home with him the night before. H
had left them in his safe in the bed
room, and there was no one to whom
he cared TO intrust the key. He sen
tor Phillips, his head clerk.
"Oh-er-Phillips, l find | must e,
home again. have left some paper
behind me. Will you do these order
and see that nan with whom | hav
an appointment this morning? Tel
him was OBLIGED RI on and shallh