Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-30
EXCURSIONS, picxIcs, &c.
A Broken Dream.
lBoston PostD

armchair before a bright wood nfe Win
n most contented expression. To-mor-
row" he thought, Il shall be married to
the dearest little girl in the world! II
only Milly had lived to see my happl-
ness" He lighted his pipe and SettIed
still further down in his chair for an
hours smoke. How different Ethel IS
from Isabel. My darling shall never
know how nearly came to making that
woman my wife. Thank Heaven I'm
tree from her now!" As he sat think
ing of the past and looking into the
future his pipe went out. He removed
# from his lips and. rising to lay II on
the mantel stood for moment looking
into the dancing flames. well ne
laughed, Il must go 10 bed ana ne
turned TO his chamber.
At that moment the door opened anu
a woman, tall and graceful, stood loon
ing at him. With a half smile AT MS
surprise and dismay, she entered, CLOSING
the door behind her. He stared at nei
in amazement. Good heavens lsdoei'
how came you here?' =,
INV dear Jack. l heard you were 10
be married, therefore l came to rehoh-
strate with you and prevent the mar
riage." 49,. nal,
MADAME. by what right do you speak
in this way. Because eighteen moh-nS
ago | fancled myself in love WIN you'
does that constitute your rightE NO IN
deed / have found out your hypocrisy
i'm time to save myself. Nhen we acVeu
together in that play at Lazy Grey
house that was the last OF our inter-
course; deny If you can ana dare' anu
TO speak frankly, L was glad 10 near you
went abroad Immediately AFTER Again
ask what right have you 10 interiors
with me or my analrs
..The right Of a wife. John Lawton,
It was at that play that you marrieo me.
The acting minister was a real one ana
he still lives. l loved you to madness III
those DAYS. Jack, and L vowed none
should take you from me. could see
that Ethel Newton was gaining your
love and 1 was mad with Jealousy anu
love-"
She stopped, as though overcome by
her thoughts. Mn.
: "You are lying. Isabel: do you think
to make me believe such preposterous
story? That was but mock marriage
and you know it. The man was no MN
ister."
ION the contrary. he was an ordained
minister. and / have my marriage GER
uncate." and she passed him a paper
whereon he read the words that mace
him Isabel Arden's husband
Ha covered his face with MS hands
The paper huttered to the moor. Isabel
picked il up. watching him with vary
inc expressions. AT last he raised MS
beod "Vhat do you mean 10 do?' ne
asked
Nothing. except claim my rights as
YOUR wife. Forgive me. Jack. and take
me to your heart again. I'll be a goou
wife TO vou 1 own 1 deceived you, Du'
il was because / loved you sol No one
here knows Mr. Ellison was my COUSIN
and if you wish We can be puDhcly re-
married"
"stop. woman. You do not know what
Won are saying. You could never make
a good wife. a woman VINO mas
schemed as you have he broke OH
overcome by the horrors OF his posi-
ton. -,...,,
His wife looked at him in silent misery.
To be repulsed by the man she lo'eu
was agony The clock licked louoly oi
tlfe mantel. The fire sent OUT h1uo
tongues OF fame as though III derlsioh at
the unhappiness OF the occupants Oh III,
room A log burned through, broke, ana
fell with a duh thud upon the n1a,' -,
sending I'D millions of sparks. NelIhel
busband nor wife noticed the flight or
time. Their sunerings were NOT ~ W
sured bv hours and minutes.
FINALLY Isabel touched Jacks arm. 1
have decided what is the only thing le'I
for me to do" she said brokenly' me
SIN is mine. | Will bear its consequences
heavy though they be, and will go away
so far that you-that no one VIII ever
again hear from or of me. Then you
can marry the girl you have CHOSEN
she stopped, unable 10 so on. hlss me,
NV beloved. Remember 1 love you ana
this is the last time" Her hands realeu
upon his shoulders. Jack stared At HcI
as though he did not comprehend her
fun meaning. At last. with rough ees-
tire he pushed her from him. FsH@" :
for what do you take me? no" coulu
a married man, 90 10 the ailar WIN
the best. purest-curse yol,' ne shouteu
"am I hound that you think me capaple
Of such yillainy?' His wife reeled ana
fell. she struck her head against ''e
brass fender. and with a halt-utteieu
groan lay motionless
lack looked at her. The passiveness
had something deathly in us app ar
ance. What was that staining the "lli'9
fur of the rug on which she layF me
dark AID stream crept slowly to"aius
him. H%Sgazed at II fascinated Nearer
and nearer IL came; how horribly Ieu II
was AGAINST the white fur. He drew MS
foot Rack to no avail. it followed, II
reached the toe Of his slipper moistened
the leather. and spread into a dark stain.
xvt.h % hound and a cry he-awOke.