The Port Gibson reveille., 1904-10-20

4 lie uuQ dDduuOheu uie
III home-had left his wife In
TX A<I wrath and indignation, and
had vowed that he would
neverm0re see her. True, he had made
provision for her future, and believed
that he had behaved generously. Still,
he was oppressed with a haunting
sense that his conduct had really been
marked by reconsideration, was mis-
taken. was petulent and overbearlng.
Grace had only married him for the
sake OF her child. This was the height
Of her Offense. But had he not known
this at the time? She had accepted
him grayely, kindly, gratefully-that
was all.
Grace! AS her name rose to his lips
memories OF his wife presented them
selves to his mind-memOrles OF a
matronhood-that wrung him now to
tenser emotion.
How wistful she looked In those days
Of her INSTRUMENTATION childIshly
sedate in the garb of woe! What a
wealth Of affection she had bestowed
upon the child OF Harry Sylvester, his
one heritage to herl How sympathetic
TO him she had been in the few months
OF their marriage-how CHEEKY in his
joys, how solicitous in his troublesl
A grOan escaped the man as he wan
dered aimlessly up and down the long
lane. He had vowed to leave the coun-
frsrrs uF I.snf - IL
cry In the metropolis, he was I'm the
very nelghborhood OF her fathers
quantity -gabled old house, whence he
had taken her.
He ought to have gone elsewhere, the
man assured himself His visit had
but served TO revive and deepen his
wretchedness.
What had been the cause OF this
quarrel?
Richard Tregonning had always
loved Grace Arthur-loved her even
when Harry Sylvester led her to the
altar. He had not then told her so,
but when poor Harry had been In his
grave a year he had told her OF his
love.
He knew she lad given Harry syl-
vester a great love, and that now he
held holy place I'm her memory. He
did not, in those days, dream that she
would give him the same wealth Of
affection, but OF late he had hungered
for II, and believed that she had Yield
ed It to him. He had been chlvalrous
In his exactlon. He had not enyied |
her sweet, matronly pride in her boy
In Harry's boy. Nay, he had sought |
to perform Harry's part toward the
little fellow.
And now he was striding to and fro,
inpetuous, half dlstraught, half hug
ging to himself the belief that he had
been cozened and deceived, and yet
half rejecting il.
Who had played the traitors part
to him and to her? Even as the men,
orles crowded in upon him this thought
would intrude itself. only to remain
1t had been well and insiduously
done. Upon returning from his honey
moon he had received the first warn
Ing OF what he now bitterly described
rs "Grace's treacheryg'
AT first those anonymous eplstles ad-
dressed to him at his Office had con-
tanned little more than gibes and
dubbed him little more
than an infatuated fool. But each
sibe and each sneer had also warned
him that the day Of disillusion was
near.
he had at first disregarded these ma
ignant letters-he had kept them care
July from Grace. Why should he
rouble her? Besides, he did not be-
ieve them. he had even laughed at
he futility OF her enemies.
But at last their very persistence had
made an impression upon him. They
lad become more definite in their char
lcter. They spoke OF Grace Sylvester
laying had other suitors. They hlnted
It passages between her and Malcolm
Barrett. They suggested that he was
accepted because he possessed money,
md thus could give her boy a better
lone and more expensive training
han Malcolm Barrett. {
Unconsciously the man became
'rusque in his manner at home. He I
ometimes sat silently glowering at the
Ire for hours. At times he would
void seeing his stepson for days. Once
le would prattle with him for an en- I
ire evening. Then, when be surprised I
Grace in tears. he would never offer J
word Of sympathy.
The end came just about n fortnight
'efore this night when Richard Ire I
coming was striding along In restless
nxiety and bitterness. His anony- !
nous correspondent had explicitly as
erted that Grace Sylvester had boast 4
d OF her conquest, and had boldly I
eclared that she should accept him d
ecause be was a good catch" and q
ecause II would be "a good thing for r
er boy" Nay, she had even safe O
bat she did not care for him. let him 7
x her with her crime "a ne doubted Il
4 t