Year: 1878

CHAPTER III.


Will Phelps intended no harm. 1 doubt
il men of his class men.of his temperament
ever do intend any evil, when slowly they
drift away from home and love. He had
grown weary of his wife, as he said to him
SELF ''She Is not stylish, nor even fashiona-
BILE; she is growing old rapidly" Old, and
only 19; wife of two years, and already old
to her husbands eyes. She tried hard to
please him, bui,when he saw the contrast be-
tween her timid, gentle manner, and Kate
hason's glowing, fascinating beauty, purity
and worth counted for naught. And thus
husband and wife unconsciously, day after
day, grew apart, she with the shadow set
Ting heavier over her; he with the reckless
ness of his nature leading him into folly.
No longer did he apologize for his frequent
absence from home; no more did he either
ask or allow her to accompany him to gay
scenes or entertainments; everywhere and
at all times ne was the escort of Kate Mason.
She was proud of her victory for her mar
risge had rather been distasteful to her
pride, and she determined from the moment
she saw his wife 10 bring him again
ander the destinations. of her. smiles. She
had no thought for the poor girl wife; she
regarded her with feelings akin to contempt,
eor she could not appreciate the purity and
beauty of her character. Miss Mason was
hirt, coquette, not more by practice than
inclination, and she was remorseless in her
pursuit of those whose claims clashed against
her own. She had hoped, prayed, even
dared to expect that some day Will Phelps
would marry her, but when she saw the
dainty girlish BRIDE he had chosen she felt
that after while he would tire of the wife
who was so free and honest in her. love and
admiration of her husband.


Not long after society had begun to wsg
its gossiping tongue, coupling the names of
the two, the dread news came to Mrs. Mason
that she no longer possessed her husbands
love. He had taken her, in obedience to her
pleadings, to party. but had scarcely been
with her moment after their arrival. Some
friends chatted with her, pitying her loneli-
ness, but her eyes wandered from group to
group, seeking everywhere for one form, and
yet he came not to her, though the hours
wore on. At last she determined to find
him, and passing through the rooms she
came to one dimly lighted and deserted.
Here, weary and hesrtsick, she paused for
moment to recover her strength and her
composure. The windows of the apartment
opened on to-a balcony, and there she soon
noticed couple promenading. 1t was her
husband and Miss Mason, pacing with slow
step the quiet place, entirely oblivious OF
their surroundings. Mrs Phelps could not
cry out, and she was too faint to escape from
the room. &c. clutching the heavy curtain,
she stood concealed from their sight. They
were chatting pleasantly when she first


card their words, but soon their mood
hanged and they talked tenderly and Low
ingly. She chided him for some fancied
neglect, and he begged her pardon with
humility and penitence. Then she up
braided him for indifference, for desire to
break their old friendship" and for a
thousand little offenses, which she hinted
rather than told. "But / swear to you
i am not Indifferent. I never forget you,
but, waking, your face Is ever before me;
sleeping il is ever in my dreams. Would to
Heaven / had never lost my place in your
heart" She was leaning upon his arm, her
face close to his own, and her eyes speaking
volumes Of love to bis. ''You have never,
can never, lose that Will-Mr. Phelps You
are lost TO rae; you are married, end you
must not be with me 90 much. am going
away tomorrow, and you can then forget
you ever knew me-" "Going away Kate?"