The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-01-01
Her Miniature
By Lucy Fdugaan F'o,cler
By Lucy TdughGn F'o,cler

The Reverend Houghton flung down
his pen and threw himself back in his
chair, utterly weary and Respondent
Its all Of no use," he said, aloud, Il
can deceive myself no longer; l have
neither heart nor inclination for the
work.
Outside he could just see the girlish
figure of his wife, half hidden in the
folds of a large hammock in which
she was reclining; then, as if she had
heard him, the words of hymn she
his ear.
The sweet voice died away, and an
expression of sadness came over the
bright upturned face, he had listened
breathlessly while she sang, for he
loved her with a depth of feeling
amounting almost to idolatry; and yet,
although she was his wife, she was as
stranger to him. She had opposed
their marriage till the very day on
which it had been solemnized, but he
had not known it until the ceremony
was over-then, with burning cheeks
and dark, defiant eyes, she had told
him plainly that she hated him.
The revelation made, Cecel had
swept scornfully out of the room, and
left her husband with his bright
dream of love and happiness shat
tered. Six months had passed. and
during all that time. they had lived
together as mere strangers, treating
each other with rigid politeness when
Nc - a;o1 20 oIv
work required them to be present to-
gether at some entertainment or meet
ing.
AS he sat looking at her now and
noted the sad expression on her face,
he longed to go to her, but he dared
not. Then Strengthening himself, he
took up his pen again, and resolved
that for her sake he would persevere.
Before he began again he glanced onoe
more at her, and started to his feet
Ior large tears were standing in her
eyes, and she was trying to look
through their binding brightness at a
miniature which she held in her hand
He wondered vaguely whose 1t was
and spasm of jealousy smote him
= as he saw her press it passionately tC
I-er lips and then place it in her bosom
He turned away-the pen fell unheed
ed from his hand, and his resolve was
completely forgotten. In an agony OF
dispair he threw himself on a couch
worn out as he was, from loss of sleeI
and a long nervous strain, his eyes
gradually closed, and his troubles were
drowned in oblivion. 1t was evening
when he awoke. He tried to recollect
how he came to be sleeping there al
such an hour, when a suppressed sol
at the foot of the couch caused him tC
look in that direction. There, crouch
ed upon the floor, was Cecel. Instant
iy the events of the morning came
crowding to his mind; but instead Of
scorn or anger, he felt only pity fol
his wife. He determined that some
how, in some way, she should be free
he despised those who sought divorces
and never before had he been able tc
imagine any case which might be con
sidered pardonable; but it was differ
ent in their case; she was his Lawful
wife to be sure, but more than thai
sne was not, and she must be free-a:
free as before her marriage-he would
tell her-tell her now-but, o heaven
what a sacrifice!
"Cecel."
She started to her feet with a cry
20 Neil, are you awake at last?" He
face was flushed with crying ant
tears stood in her eyes and dampenee
her cheeks. She had never called hin
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