The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-12-14

2
pected him to be doing something else:
and once-how bitterly came the re-
membrance of it!-she had awakened
during the night to find that George
was still downstairs at his desk. and
when questioned he had flushed and
muttered some unintelligible excuse
And this was the sort of thing that
had kept him busy and preoccupied!
Nell looked at the paper again. How
blind she had been!-she who had
thought that her husband could have
Ino secret from her, she who had
prided herself on being able to read
his inmost soul. And oh! the pity of
it, this was their wedding-day.
The remembrance Of the morning,
and Georges bright face brought
plea for his innocence, and she walked
Ito the stove and held the note
dangerously near to the dancing
flames.
But the one word alice" seemed
to grow suddenly more distinct, and
almost 1lercely Nells fingers clutched
the paper again.
She had vague notion that she
would show George the letter and de-
mand an explanation, but as yet heart
and brain were in too great tumult;
she could devise no plan of action.
So she slipped the paper inside the
folds Of her blouse, and went about
her household duties with a heavier
heart than ever she had borne in all
her young life
Somehow the weary hours dragged
past; sometimes Nell was longing
Ifeverishly for her husbands return,
and then the thought Of this terrible
thing made the red blood flush her
cheeks, and she was fain to admit to
herself that she was afraid to meet
him.
Afraid Of George!-she laughed
mirthlessly at the thought of it. But
her hand Involuntary sought the let
ter in its resting place, and once again
came all the bitter thoughts that had
been born of her misery.
At length the garden gate clicked,
and with feeling, half of shame, half
Of assumed Indifference, Nell picked
up magazine. 1t would serve to hide
her crimson cheeks till she got calmer,
and if she intended to be deep in a
story, George should not mark the I'M
usual want of greeting.
But there were other footsteps on
the gravel surely, and she could hear
her husband laughing and talking
with someone. Presently he ushered
lin stranger, and Nell had to gather
her scattered wits to give him well
come. With a woman's want of logic
she was telling herself that George
might have chosen some more con-
venient season for bringing his
friend, but it was with a sigh of re-
lief that she took her seat at the head
of the dainty table, for here, at least,
she reflected, was an opportunity for
putting off the evil hour.
Always the soul of hospitality, Nell
surpassed herself that evening, and
George watched her with honest pride.
nc SCdIC6Iy uOClCGu IudL she WAS lS-
noring him in order to entertain Jack
HaIdane, and how could he know that
the bright sayings and the ringing
laughter were because her heart was
sore.
1t was late when Jack HaIdane rose
to depart, and they both accompanied
him to the gate.
Nell had just been extending an
other early invitation to him, and
George was saying Goodnight" when
Haldane said suddenly, oh, by the
bye, George, L saw Alice yesterday, she
was inquiring kindly for you-an old
sweetheart Of your husbands, Mrs.
Douglas; and he swang OFF down the
road laughing gaily.
Nell spoke first, when she had gain
ed the shelter of the parlor She stood
on the rug and faced George with an
angry spot burning on either cheek.
George Douglas" she said, in
level, strained voice, what is the
meaning of this?"
George looked at her in wonder
ment, then enlightenment came.
1T was too bad, he said, apologize