Year: 1875

iniuring her health by this excess of
dissipation. He limited OF the time of
her return, and proposed to go for her
whenever she would appoint the day OF
her departure.


Nettie had no desire to leave place
where she was winning such golden
honors. It was not a slight thing
to be the Belle of the Branch" and
consequently the object of jealous envy
to more wealthy ladies than herself.


A fortnight passed on, and the gay
belle found no time to send message
to her husband, not even to assure him
of her health and safety. Poor George!
he was now reaping small part of the
retribution that was following upon the
heels of his own misguided love. Net
tie was not wholly to blame. She lived,
as she had been taught to live, only on
excitement and admiration.


Among the many admirers of the
Long Branch belle was Spanish
Count, who had lost all but his title
and ancestral blood through some un-
looked for change in his native country,
and therefore came to America. He
was accomplished and prepossessing in
appearance, and excelled in music.
With these exornal advantages, he made
himself very attractive to Nettie. In
fine, he was the favored attendant.


The fortnight at the seashore soon
extended to Summer. 1t was not
possible for Nettie to tear herself away
from the enchanting round OF pleasure.


She became selfshly unmindful of
the trouble she was bringing on her
faithful husband, and thought only of
herself and her new friend. She was
borne on by the great whirlpool of fash
ion, far out into deep, dangerous places.
But the was as ignorant as child OF
her danger.


Count Lenardo was fattered and
gratifed by his power over the beauti-
full woman He became greatly enam-
ored and with the impetuousness of
his national character, gave evidence of
his love by the most untiring devotion.
Nettie was blinded by her own life of
excitement, and did not understand nor
believe the import of the Counts atten-
tions.


While these events were transpiring
at Long Branch, George Cavanah had
ample time for reflection. At first, he
was quiet and submissive, more for the
love he bore toward his wife, and from
a natural desire to crafty all her wishes,
than from any weakness of character.
AS the weeks passed by he grew rest
less and miserable, and at length out of
his bitter experience his resolution was
formed. He saw the danger to which
his wife was exposed, as no other per-
son could, aud he resolved to save her
from the sorrow that might fall on her
unsuspecting head.


After mature reflection, George Cav
anah took upon himself a disguise that
afforded him perfect security, and made
his way to Long Branch. Here he de-
termined to mingle with the crowd and
watch his treasure from distance, and
yet be near to ward off danger, if any
should approach. His jealous love col
ored with the brightest tinge of every
little act; the homage rendered to his
fair and beautiful wife seemed to him
the foulest insult. He knew better
than Nettie the real character that lay
beneath the pleasing exterior of her
many admirers.


On arriving at Long Branch George
made but little effort to gain acquaint-
ances. His purpose would be better
accomplished by retired seclusion. He
feared Nettie might recognize him,
should he be brought into her immedi-
ate presence He stood afar off, listen
ing to the remarks of the bystanders,
and endeavored to learn from the current
of conversation the esteem in which she
was held. He had never seen her in
such a blaze of glory and splendor,
and was bewildered by the beauty of
her appearance.


George Cavanah was good man,
and he believed in his heart that Nettie
was true to him, although he knew full
well her weakness of character which
required, and exacted, constant hom-
age from others. But now he saw as
he never did before, his own part in
the fault. If danger fell upon her he
was partly responsible. What had he
offered her but this same doting, blind
devotion? Never had he opened his
mind With its wealth of knowledge and
practical experience to her, and taught
her to prize it above fattery. For the
first time in his life he saw his mistake,
and obeying the impulses of his gener-
GUS nature, resolved to atone for It.


His quick, jealous eye soon fell upon
Count Lenardo, and, unnoticed, he
watched his movements every moment
when it was possible to gain access to
him. He heard, as If by some SUPER
natural power, the tender word of part
ing, and the delicate batteries addressed
to Nettie on the balcony, after the dance
had ceased. He followed his wife like
a guardian angel, and never for q mo-
ment lost sight of the purpose that in
spired him. He fancied he had often
noticed a strange look in Nettie's face
when she had been in conversation with