THE PITTSBURG DBMTCK SECOND PART. pPGES9T0lf ; WW? PITTSBURG-, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1889. TWO TO A BY THE DUCHESS. ,:A.TTTHOIt OF "PTTVTXTB," "MOIJX.T BA.'WTN'," Etc, (COPYRIGHTED 1SS9, BY THE AUTHOR.) -WBITTEK FOB HAD been an Ideal marriage! Everybody had been de lighted with it; and occurring as it did just at the close of last season, had been considered a very fit ting wind-up to it Both the principal act ors in the fashionable drama had hosts of friends, and the general rejoicings over the happy event had been, therefore, not only loud, but deep. Lady Flora Travers -was an orphan, young, lovely, lively a little too lively perhaps and an heiress into the bargain, on quite a grand scale. Sir Fred eric" Blount was an orphan, too, young handsome and quite abominably rich for a man whose heart had gone out to an heiress; and there hadn't been the slightest doubt about the amount of heart thrown into the afiair; two people so utterly and entirely in love had seldom (everyone agreed) been seen. It was the most deliriously romantic thing all through. Society was charmed. There wasn't a flaw in the little piece any where. It ran with a beatific smoothness; and Sir Frederic was so charming. Just a sonpcon of temper perhaps, but after all, what then one must have something. Belgravia was indeed in raptures! Un accustomed to see the saucy little god love striding victoriously among its crowds, it at once opened its arms to "him and gave him auite an ovation. They blessed Sir Frederic and Lady Flora for the fresh sen- j jfffJlJt' ff U ill HEB GOWK DISAPPEARS BEHIND THE BCBEEK ANNOUNCED. sation they had given it It was absolutely unique all through, a perfect innovation. There had been sad cases of young people, who, wickedly desirous of marking out a path for themselves, had entered on it, cry ing aloud that silly old line, "All lor love and the world well lost," as a sort of defi ance, but they had been very justly thrust out of sight and speedily Jorgotten. But here was a triumph, love and common sense hand in hand. An ideal marriage indeed! With nothing in it to provoke the wrath of guardians, or throw cold water on the warm congratulations of friends, or prevent the giving way to sentimental remarks on the beauty of love unadulterated love pure and simple and untouched by mercenary motives. It was as though a touch of Arcadia had fallen into Vanity Fair, and brightened all things by its freshness. The snn had shone gaily on the marriage morning. What else could it do? cried the enthusiasts. The bride smiled through her tears, the bridegroom was the very personi fication of hope fulfilled. It was the pret tiest pageant possible. As the happy pair drove away beneath a shower of rice, every body told everybody else that for once in a way one might be sure that years or un broken joy lay before them. And everybody was wrong! Scarcely three months had elapsed when society was electrified by the news that Sir Frederic and Lady Blount had separated, "by mutual consent." Incompatibility of temper, said some, jealousy on both sides, said others, and neither was far wide of the mark. Sir Frederic it must be confessed had been somewhat wild in the earlier years of his life, lie had sown several crops of the ' most unpiofitable oats. His amusements had hardly been sans reproche, and some kind friends had hinted as much to the young bride. Since his marriage, since his engagement indeed, he had run perfectly straight, but this the kind friends had for gotten to hint She grew first horrified, then disgusted, then a little reckless. She was so young that the very suspicion ot the evil that the world holds locked in its bosom was unknown to her. She began with a determination not to care, to be revenged. This resulted in his accusing her of a flirta tion with a man whom secretly she abhorred. It was an opening, and she seized upon it, letting loose upon him all the floodgates of wrath and wounded pride and miserable dis appointment that had been consuming her. Becriminations grew furious. What had been called loveliness of disposition grew into decided temper, and before any honest friends could interfere, the devoted bride and bridegroom of three months ago had parted with the sworn determination on both sides never to see each other again. The charming home in Gloucestershere The Firs was broken up. Sir Frederic went one way, Lady Flora another. When cross-examined by tearful relatives, they both raged and stormed, and grew so vague and excitable that in the end no one conld quite understand how such a terrible situa tion could have arisen out of what was seeminclv a trivial affair, "It .is the most absurd case I ever heard or," savs Mrs. Wylde to Lady Maria Wal ton with a shrug of her dainty shoulders. Both are friends of the Blounts, bnt Lady Maria is something more. See is a first cousin of Sir Frederic's on his mother's side, and a thirty-first cousin of Lady Flora's on her father's side. As men always carry the day, her sympathies more or less arc for Sir Frederic, though she is an open admirer of Lady Flora's who, indeed, can be specially charming when she likes. Lady Maria is a tall, able-bodied woman, with no nonsense about her (unless we ex cept her kindly heart), and a strength of mind that renders her the terror of her ac- QUARREL THE DISPATCH. quaintances. With her a spade is indeed a spade, and she calls it so; but that she is a thoroughly honest-hearted and good natured woman au fond, nobody would dream ofdisputing. "Absurd to a fault," says she now.a good deal of annoyance in her tone. "What can they both be thinking of? More wanton throwing away of happiness is unknown." 'Well, she thinks one thing, he another." "Of course, we all know they had tempers. Bnt that they should come to such loggerheads, and all for nothing! She can't really believe that story." "She says she does. ! She persists in be lieving. No harm talking about it," says Lady Maria rather savagely, "as all the world seems up in the ridiculous tale." "Yes, snch a bore!" "We are quite aware that Fredeiic had er you know well, his thoughtless mo ments when a bachelor and er " "I know; they all do," says Mrs. Wylde with feeling and a gentle flourish ot her nan as. IsV'Quite so," sympathetically. "Well, yon know the story, don't you? Frederic had to go up to town very frequently after his marriage, strictly on business about that Alderley estate (though nothing can con vince her of that now), and then he met Captain Stannard vou've met him " "Oh. yes. Horrid manl" 'Well, he induced him to run down with him to Bichmond to one ofthose abominable little dinners, you know." "I know," with increasing feeling. "And there was an actress there; most re spectable young woman, I've learned since, though its of no use to learn anything now-a-days people believe just what they like. But at all events Drewry was her name, and Flora heard of it the dinner (when he was supposed to be at his lawyer's), the name of the actress, everything." "But how?" "Why, through Mrs. Fane, of course. Ton know Violet; always troublesome. Felt it her duty, she said, to warn poor, dear Flora of the way her husband was going on, AS SIE FEEDEBIO BLOUNT IS and so destroyed the happiness of two nice young people. Beally, I haven't patience with her." "No bigger flirt in town than Violet," says Mrs. Wylde with disgust "Tried her hand on Sir Frederic, I know for a fact, and finding herself thoroughly out of it. de termined, I conclude, to be revenged on him. Paltry, I call it!" "Well, she has won her case," says Lady Maria with a sigh. "She told poor Flora not only that, but a good deal more, s She poisoned her mind in many ways, mention ing things about Frederic's bachelor life that should not have been told to a young creature like Flora." "She was alwavs a dantrerons tpt-,mi ; spite of, or rather because ol her seraphic countenance. She looks like an angel and No, no; come,'now, my dear girl, inter rupts Lady Maria hastily, who is verv down right about earthly matters, but" rather shrinks from tackling those of the other world. "No good in swearing. The end is before us. 1 o use In quarreling with fate. Flora cut ud very rough at first, drove Frederic away from "And is now apparently quite happy. 1 saw her at the Despards last week, and she was the life of the patty." 'She is not happy for all that. She is only wearing herself out in a mad endeavor to ar pear so. "I daresay; and all for nothing. For one thing, it is a pity that nobody can undeceive Yet. We'll Begin Our Life Over Again. her about that actress. I'm sure Sir Frederic never went to Richmond to meet her or any other woman." "He went simply because time hung heavily on his hands and he couldn't go home, because he bad an appointment at his lawyer's for 11 o'clock the next morning. But Flora believes the worst She goes about now calling him that man' such bad taste! But she was too young a girl to be married to such a young man, with her Ideas of independence and her temper." "Sir Frederic has a temper, too." "True, true: yet to me they seemed matched by heaven itself, and I am thoroughly down hearted about the whole affair. What's thatr' starting. "A knock at the door. Fresh vMtors." "Flora's knock, snrcl v." "is it? Well, I'm off." says Mrs. Wyldo ris ing. "She will have a dozen things to say to you, and Ibould be in tbo way. Goodby." A minute or two afterward the door reopens luiiuuiu iwj iw.gij lutuu. ouuu a pretty yonng woman A small, slight lovely creature! with big gray eyes and masses of nut-brown hair. Her nose is a little, a very little, re trousse, and her mouth, if sweet when the owner of it is pleased, is distinctly suggestive of mutiny when the owner may be out ot tem per. "Oh, Maria," cries she, precipitating herself into Lady Maria's arms, "what a blessing to find yen by yourself I I've such a lot of things to say to yon." "Have you. dear? Then sit down here, near me. "About" lth prophetic instinct that Is hardly of the first order. "Sir Frederic?" "About him! Not likely!" with great show of indignation. "About what then?" says Lady Maria with seeming curiosity. Lady Maria knows her. It is surely Sir Frederic or nothing that has brought her. "Take off your fnrs, and pull yonr chair up to the fire. Now then for your news." "Oh, welLI must warm myself first," tem porizing. "There is so much, you see, to tell, that I . By the bye, as you mention thai man. you may as well tell me if yoirhave seen him lately." "Quite lately. Yesterday, in fact" "Ahl" Eloquent alienee. "How is he look ing T" "frettvwelL Pale, perhaps, if anything. A little dejected: I can't suppose he is happy." "Can't yon?" scornfully. "lean. He has ob tained his beloved liberty aeain; that counts with a man." "With some men perhaps. Yon are looking pale, too, dear," ignoring her outburst. "A little rest would be good for you. Why not come down to the country with mo. for Christ mas T So quiet 1 Notasonll I shan't ask any one to the Beeches this year." "I should Ilka it, but you are so close to my his house that I should hate to go." 'Yon needn't be afraid of meeting him there. He is going abroad almost directly." "Eh r starting violently. "Yes, abroad." am wnere r "Italy." "Italy! Why Italy T What on earth is tak ing him to Italy?" She rises abruptly and walks over to the window as though repose is impossible to her. "Who is going with him ?" asks she at last In quite a dreadful tone. 'I haven't asked him," returns Lady Maria, coldly. "Yon show your sense. It is that woman, of courser1 "What woman?" icily. Oh, you knowl . That actress, Drewry." "Really, Flora," says Lady Maria, with very righteous anger. "I must request you will not talk to me like this." "Why not? You arn't dead to the world, I Suppose. Yon nrpnt ilMf rinmh nr hlind. You are a reasonable person; you must see for yourself how things go." "I may not be blind; but you are, and most willfully so. That woman, as you call her, is a most respectable person, and is about to be married to a eolicitor in very good practice. I have made minute inquiries, and I firmly be lieve that Frederic knows as much about her as he does of the solar system, and you know how Ignorant he is about that! Pro fessor. " "Not a bit more ignorant than any one else," interrupts Lady Flora tartly. "That's what you think, my dear. Nonsense, Flora; I have questioned him. about Miss Drewry, and he doesn't so much as admire her. He told me she had high shoulders, and a mouth from ear to ear." "And vou were taken in bv that! Wh v. that' the oldest trick of all. When men fall in love where tbey ought not, they always describe the woman to their friends as "not much to look at, yon know' or something like that. Really. Maria, with your experience you ought to know something!" This allusion to her age very naturally in censes Lady Maria. "And yon, with your experience, of course know everything," says she with withering contempt. "My .good child, if I were yon "What's thatr said Lady Flora suddenly, halt rising from her chair and glancing nervously at the door. The sound of aloud knock at the hall door is clanging through the house. "Marial His knock!" "Well, what of it. Why not stay and see him. Flora? I am sure if you both met you " "Met! So you think I should stay for one mo ment in the room with that man! No! I shall go in here," mo vi ng toward a door at the end of the room that leads to a smaller apartment be yond, "until he chooses to brine bis visit to an end. I have still a good deal to say to yon." She has hardly had time to rain her citv of refuge wnen the servant ushers into the drawing room Sir Frederic Blount. "Thought I heard voices." says he suspic iously, when he has greeted Lady Maria. "well, so you did," says she a little impa tiently, not being in the best of temners. "Ah! Lady Blount?" "Yes." "H'ln. In there now?" pointing to the opposite door. "I daresay." A pause. "How is she looking?" ' demands Sir Frederic, after a perceptible struggle with his dignity. "Very lovely indeed; but pale. I think. Why on earth, Frederic, don't yon try to make It up with her?" "With her! You must be mad, Marial "What! when she willfully sought a quarrel with me, and openly insulted mel Lookhere. I loved her as my own son), and she deliberately separated herself from me." "Yet I think she is very unhappy." "A woman without a heart Is never un happy." "Really. Frederic. I do think you are rather unjust. She " Tm done with her. Don't let ns discuss her any farther. She can go her way. 1 can co mine for the future.". b Idon'xseawheres'heistogo at all events. 'A woman In her equivocal position is always In the wrong." ,.-"Iis..her owu atae. She evidently faund life dull with me, and very cleverly sought and found a road out of her difficulty." "Still you must care about her welfare." "I don't," doggedly. "I give you credit for better feeling than that; so I will tell you that she is coining down with me to Gloucestershire for Christmas. Sho .will therefore be within a mile or two of her your home." "A hint to me to keep away," with a bitter laugh. "Don't be frightened! I am going abroad, as you know." "I amlsorry about that: I had hoped " "Hope nothing where we two aro concerned: all is over and done with." He pauses, looks out of the window and then comes back to Lady Maria. "She she has plenty of money at all events," says he with a frown that is meant to prevent anybody from thinking that his question contains any gentle concern for her. ''Plenty, I should say." "You blame me, Maria," Bays the yeung man suddenly. "You think I should give in and ex plain, and condone the fact that she has ma- ugnea me mosi crueiiy; uut mat is not all. She flirted most disgracefully with a hideous littlo brnte of a hussar last time we were at a ball together, and " "l know all about that She says it was only because sho was so disgusted with your be havior," says Lady Maria. "You are a pair of babies; you onght to be taken In band by some firm person and compelled to behave yonr- BCJl. "Ohl she savs that does she?" wrathfully. "Well, 1 don't care what she says. Anvhnw. I shan't keep her in durance vile any longer," taking up his hat "Somo other day I may be f ortunato enough to find you at home without her." .Lady Maria, rather relieved, bids bim a kindly adieu and goes instantly to the room that has harbored the fugitive. Bnt where is she? And what is this awfully cold, cutting air that salutes her as she enters the apart ment ? What do the servants mean by open ing the windows at this time of the vear and uooa ncavens i are loose rioras teet 7 It is all that can be seen of Flora at present at all events. She has thrown up the sash of the window to its highest extent and has then thrown her body out of the window with an amount of generosity that threatens to develop itself into unconscious suiciue. Lady Maria, catching sight of her and her remarkable attitude, gives way to wild bnt secret mirth. All this to catch one fleeting glance at the back of bis head ! "Flora ! Flora V cries she. "What on earth ae you doing there ?" .Her Toice is shrill, and Flora, hearing It scrambles back to her feet with crimson cheeks and a manner openly confused. "My dear, if you had run downstairs to the library you could have seen bim quite easily' a l.l.An, nil ,1.1. ... It ... V--1.r ' aim .nivui. auhuia uouci, mjji juauy iiiaria, rather maliciously. "The slightest tip would have sent you Into the area. How foolish! If I bad known you so much wanted to catch a glimpse, I might have arranged something "Nonsense! It was mere curiosity, nothing more," says Lady Flora, with a stamp of her little foot "How horrid you can be. Maria. Well," impetuously, "what did he say? Abus ing me as usual, I suppose." "fie didn't spare you, certainly: Dut he was just I think." "Thank yon," angrily." "He was not only just as you call it but evidently in the highest spirits. I conld bear his voice here hateful voice. Well er and how is he looking now?" Lady Maria gives way to sardonic mirth. "Well?" says Ladv Mora, regarding her with distinct disfavor. "What have I said to make you laugh?" . "Not much. Only that is just the first question he asked me about you." "How rude of himH- flushing angrily. "And you? I hope you said I was never looking better." "Yes. I said you were in robust health, and didn't seem to care a bit about anything con nected with him. at all events." "Oh, did you?" with a perceptible fall of the lovely face, and an accent replete with disap pointment "That was right, wasn't it?" says Lady Maria, blandly. "Quite right Fancy his wanting to know how I lbokedi For what I wonder?" "Mere Idle curiosity, my dear, or course the came feeling that made yon nearly throw your self out of the window just now simply to catch a fleeting vision of the back of his detested head." "If you think it was anything else!" hotly. "X don't my dear girl, bow could If "And is It true he is going abroad?" "Qnlte truer He starts next week. I fancy, so you are safe if you coine to Gloucester witb me for Christmas. In fact I made it safe for you. I told him you were to be with me at that time." "And hef "Said that alone would be sufficient to keep him onCot the conntv." "He said thatr Sho has risen to ber feet and is looting very pale, She recovers herself.- "I'm clad he says Bhehaught- ily. 'It is same weeks later and Christmas day,. vtuiw a correct unnsimas uay, wim jnuura flying and evergreens so white as to belie their name, and icicles drooping from thobridge that spans the river that flows through Lady Maria s pretty domain. Both she and Lady Flora had been to church in the morning, and enjoyed a good lunch after ward, and are now dozing with a pretense at readipg before a fire that might have roasted an ox m the good old days when roasted oxen were. Lady Maria had, indeed, so far given into the blandishments of Somnus that a gentle snore wakens the air around her, and Lady Flora roused by it starts into a more upright position and a sudden knowledge that a manly footstep Is rapidly approaching the small and cosy Toom in which they are sitting. "Good heavens, Maria, wake! wake! someone is coming. Ob! you told me he bad gone to Italy, and now " "Well, so he has," says Lady Maria, rubbing her eyes. "He hasn't. He is here. Ho is coming up the stairs. Oh!" springing to her feet and looking distractedly round her, "where shall I go?" 'Ho Is coming, sure enough," says Lady Maria, now wide awake. "Bless me, what liars men are. And he declared to me that " "Never mind anything. Think of me," cries Lady Flora, literally wringing her hands in front of her hostess. "I can't go out the door or I'll meet him face to face. Oh! why do they build rooms with only one mode of eeress in them. If there bad been another door I might . I'm undone, Maria. But no," with a swift and happy thought; "that screen. Behind that I shall bo secure sate. And don't keep him long and " . "But, my dear," ga3ps poor Lady Maria wild ly, "he will probably say all sorts of things and you will be listening, and ; good gracious, it ,. :l 7 , 7 . !,,'- ibu i iair. it win oe arcauiuL" "I shall put my fingers in my ears. Betray mo at your peril!" cries Ladv Flora in a dramatic whisper. The tail of her gown just disappears behind the tall Japanese screen as Sir Frederic Blount is announced. And now begins a purgatory for poor Lady Maria. 'Thought er that as I had to drop down to this part of the world I'd like to come to see you," says Sir Frederic with manifest hypoc risy and a series of f urtivo glances all round the room as tuougn in search ot sometning. 'Thought, too, that I er heard voices as I came up the stairs." "And I thought you were safe In Italy," says Lady Maria, who is very justly exasperated by his appearance at this moment. . "Had to put it off for a week or so. Business down here with my steward. Beastly nuisance, but bad to come." Awkward silence. Lady Maria, with her eyes fixed on the Japaneso screen, is giving herself up a prey to despair. As for her put ting her fingers in her ears, she doesn't believe a word of it "Lady Flora with you?" asked Sir Frederic at last jerking out the question awkwardly. "Yes." "Gone ont for a walk?" "No, no. In retirement," says the wretched Lady Maria with a groan that she adroitly turns into a sneeze. "Ah, headache?" "Really, Frederic, considering the terms you and Lady Flora are on 1 think it a little well a little odd of you, to say the least of it, to cross examine me about her like this; sucii anxiety about her health on your part is hardly to be expected." "Anxiety? On my part? I can't imagine what you mean by that," exclaims Sir Frederic in dignantly. He rises, and .going over to the Indian hearthrug, leans against the mantle piece and glowers from the lofty position down upon Ladv Maria. The edge of theJananese -screen touches the hearthrug, and a slight leaning Dacs oi air t reaenc would in an proD ability reveal to bim the person biding behind it Lady Maria becomes conscious of a sensa tion of faintness. "Don't stand there; so bad for vour com plexion,'" stammers she Inconsequently. As Sir Frederic is standing manlike with his back to the fire, the suggestion about his com plexion falls fiat "I'm chillr." says be absently, and then, "Anxious about her the woman who will- fully deserted me: who " unco tor ail, redenc, i decline- to discuss your wife," savs Lady Maria frantically. "Talk of taxation, servants, the education of tbo lower classes, any abominable subject you like, but not of Flora." "I can't help it," says Sir Frederic with an obstinate shake of his head. "You began it You suggested I should or did feel anxiety for Fl Lady Flora, and I insist upon showing you why " "I quito understand. 1 assure you." "You don't you can't or you wouldn't have spoken as you did. A man more baroarously treated than I bare been has seldom " .Here, seeing the screen shake omlnonslv. Lady MariaN loses ber bead: "Of course, of course. Wo all know that," cried she enthusiastically fatally. The screen now seems. to be the receptacle of an earth quake in an extremely advanced state. OhI those young women and their promises about their fingers and their ears. "I'm not well, rrcuciic; 1 111 iiruu, no luuiuacae, neuralgia, sciatica, lnmbago, tlcdoloureux, everything!" almost screams Lady Maria. "I wish you would go away." "Yon look all right," says Sir Frederic, gazing at her with skeptic eye. "What you really mean is, that you don't want to hear my exculpation. 1 don't blame you. She has been priming yon with abuse of me, of course: but 1 insist on setting myself right with you. You think Flora In tho right but she is not: it is I whb am in the right," striking his clinched fist against his breast in quite an alarming fashion. The yes, to be sure." that hangs on Lady Maria's agitated lips is checked in the bud by another evolution of tbo incipient eartbquake. Good heavensl how long is this to last? And when the end comes how many survivors will there be? "Look here," says Sir Frederic violently; once for an, you shall learn the truth. She married me not knowing her own mind (which apparently is of a poor sort), and, tired of me, sought occasion to regain ber liberty. She never believed that story about it bnt it served as a pretext for her plan . She deliberately broke off all relations with me simply to suit herself, and with a full belief in her inmost soul that I was innocent of the ridiculous charge she brought against me. She " The screen goes over with a crash a bcauti fnl but furious young woman appears, standing in its place. It is a perfect transformation scene. Lady Maria fans back in her chair half fainting; Sir Frederic, stepping back in wild as tonishment, put his foot on Lady Maria's tabby, who doesn't faint at all, but sets up such a mceowing as makes the welkin ring. All is confnslon. The cat is tho first to recover; then the out raged goddess, who, advancing on her.husband, regards him with a glittering eye. "How dare you say that?" says. she in a low but terror-striking-tone. And now she turns to the hapless Lady Maria. "You listened to hiral you applauded him! you took his part! you tam mai j. uau ireaieu mm uaroarousiyi JD. Maria!" Lady Maria makes an effort to explain, but speech is Deyond her. Sho Is chilled by Sir Frederic's eye, who now advances straight down upon her. "And vou knew she was there all tho time listening," with a scornful glance at Flora, who returns it fourfold. "You let mo say what was in my mind,- without even trying to check me; you " SBnt this was too much for Lady Maria; such flagrant injustice restores her to her dignity. She rises to the occasion on her feet "Once for all," says she sternly, "I am done with you; yes, with both of vou. You are un grateful, worthless, heartless! Hitherto I have done what 1 could for you. For tho futnro you shall manage your own affairs withont assistance from me. Yon. can make use of this room this house of anything belonging to me, bnt of me never again!" She sailed with much dignity from the room. "There!" says Sir Frederic, turning round to his wife, "you have done it, as usual?' "Done wnat? I've done nothing! It is you who have done everything. And not satisfied with having insulted me. you come here and abuse me to Maria behind my back." "I SDoke only the truth. And von was it fair to hide behind a screen and listen to what wasn't intended for you? There's an ugly name for that, you know," hotly. "I don't care what ugly names you call me Your-oplnion of me has ceased to be of any im nortance. And I wasn't listening! I kept my fingers tight in my ears until you had been here for hours: then my arms tired, and I " "Hours ! I like that," with a sardonic laugh; "I haven't been here for 20 minutes yet" "Oh, you 6ay anything," says Lady Blount and brushing contemptuously past him, she sinks into a lounging chair and takes up a mag azine with an air of indifference that onght to have imposed upon anyone. But Sir Fred eric, being ber husband, can read between the lines. Husbands are always difficult. ".Well, not a word of refutation," said be mockingly. "You acknowledge then I spoke only the bare truth when I said that you sought occasion to get rid of me because you'iwere tired of me." "To refute that I must be rude; I must say you' are lying," says Lady -Flora deliberately. "But that after ail, Is scarcely a rudeness, as you know It without my telling." "I know nothing of the sort If there is a lie anywhere. It belongs to the person who told yon I had anything whatsoever to do with Miss Drewry." "I forbid you to mention that woman," start ing to her feet and staring angrily at him. "I see no reason why I shouldn't." "And all those frequent journeys to town a month after we were married, was there no rea son for them, either?" "Plenty of reason. Business took me to town on every occasion." , "Why can't you think of something newf bits she scorsfuUr. "BuSlBMflWaj .tberg. however, almost immediately. has finmn fipnsn nf rinAnev ".n ever a case of this sort when business wasn't the excuse for it?" "I wonder who is your monltress!" says he with a short and most unmirthful laugh; "she ought to be proud of herself, at all events. She has taught you a good deal of very unbearaDlo stuff." , "I won't be sneered at by you." with a stamp of her pretty foot "I came here hoping to avoid you; and " she pauses then, suddenly; "What brought you here to-day?" "To see your' returns he doggedly. He is bardlv Drenared for the result of this speech. Lady Flora, after a moment's strug gle, bursts into tears. "Flora," cried he, making a movement toward her. "Don't attemot to call me byname," sobs she passionately. "And don't think I am crying because of you. No, it Is my self-esteem that Is hurt; I cannot forget that I once " sho breaks down completely. "Did.Ton once lnvnmn7"savshasadlv. "Then wnat is all this about? -Flora, listen to me.v neioro my marriage I may have been what peo ple call wild. There was too much gambling, too much champagne, too much of many things better avoided. But from the day of our engagement nay, from the day we first met, I had neither- thoughts nor glances for anyone but you. On my soul, I swear it What can I say more?" "Oh! It is too late." says she with a little de spairing gesture. "There are so manythlngs not to be forgotten." "Quite true!" returns ho with spirit; "but as to their being never forgotten well ! There was your flirtation with that fellow in the guards " "Captain Fierrepoint Nonsense! I defy you to think I meant anything by that A hid eous, foolish, pale-eyed creature! No; when I mean that sort of thing I shall choose some body good-looking. "Oh, will yon indeed!" says he, stiffly. And then tho absurdity of it strikes on them, and they both burst into a short and uncomfortable laugh. Still, it airs the atmosphere. "It is getting late; you are going?" says she presently, with much inhospitality. "Not at alt I hope Lady Maria, in spite of all that has come and cone, will give me my dinner," But I am staying here." "Well?" ' "I suppose you don't mean me to have no dinner." "On -the contrary, I hone you win dine with me. Considering what I have endured already from you, 1 believe yon will be avery desirable addition to the. feast; ' a veritable sauce piquante. "Well; I shan't dine with you." "Why not Flora?" savs he suddenly. "Is it all so irremedlble? Think! We were happy once, and , On! darling, you are crying again. Make it up with me, Flora, and we'll let the past go by us." "Oh. but if it is true that you that I that it was all an untruth about that woman, yon will never forgive me," says sho, pressing back from her his eager hands. "Try me? 'What is there I wouldn't forgive you? But oh! Flora, how could you have thought it r i aian't want to tninic it out " sue gives way suddenly and flings her arms round his neck. "Freddy! Freddy! how good it Is to be able to kiss you again I" After this matters go very easily. "But now you won't be able to go abroad," says she presently. "Why not f" "And leave me?" half starting out of his arms. "Certainly not We'll eo together. I'll ex plain to the men 1 was going with, and make It straight with them, and then you and I will have a second honeymoon." "Yes, we'll begin our life all over again." Here she begins to cry a little and clasp him closer. "Mothing. Only every night since we parted I have prayed that I might die soon, and now Pm afraid that my prayer will be answered." "Well, I've been praying that we might come together again, and spend a long life together, and my prayer is as good as yours any day, and much more sensible, so of course it will gain the day." savs he: and if this is a Dions lie on .his part, I've no doubt It will be forgiven him. "It ought to," says she hopefully. Then -rreaayi itis unnstmas .Day. Aiuckyaayto make it up, isn't it?" "A lucky day for me." certainly. "And for me, too. But Maria," nervously, "I don't Fee how we are to face her again." At this moment the door opens and Lady Maria, who has not been able to restrain her curiosity any longer, appears on the threshold. The fact that the two before her start guiltily asunder on her abrupt entrance, explains all things to her. i "Well, lam glad!" cries she. her whole face melting into one beaming smile. ABMSTBONG'S MONUMENT. Names of Those Who Will Assist In It Approaching Dedication.. Arrangements for the dedication of the Armstrong Monument on Thanksgiving Day are about perfected. The division marshals met with the Chief Marshal fast night 'at' the Amalgamated Association and indorsed the instructions heretofore published. The con tract for the platform adjacent to the monu ment, on which the exercises will take place, has been let to Doner ty Bros., and tbey will begin its erection to-day. It will be large, enough to accommodate 200 persons. The programme is now in the hands of the printer, and will be a very neat souvenir of typographical art The respective marshals arc. busy select ing their staffs of officers and aids. Captain W. P. Herbert Marshal of the First Division, has already issued his first circular, announcing the appointment of Colonel T. J. Hudson, Chief of Staff, and Gust Schwann, Adjutant, with their in signia of office, together with the appoint ment of the following aids: , Colonel Kobert Monroe, m, T. Brad bury, Colonel "W. J. Glenn, S. C. Barr, J. T. McCoy, J. H. Hopkins, J. B. Hoover, Captain W. H. Davis, "W. C. Connelly, Jr., J. N. Hazlett Hon. J. B. Larkin, G. "W. Ewalt, C. M. Green, Colonel J.' H. Green, Major John Hancock, H. C. Griffin, Wm. Eberlv, Wm. Lowery, Dr. A. JE. MnCan dless, Hon. "W. H. Graham and Captain A. J. Logan. The staffs of the other marshals will be appointed in a few days. JDPITER PLUYIUS TTJENED .LOOSE. No Danger From High Water Apprehended, However. The heavy rains of the last few weeks have giVen a vast quantity of water to our ocal rivers, but the general verdict of ivermen is, that no serious trouble is ex pected. The rains in the mountains have een constant and steady, but the surplus water has drained off almost as quickly as it has fallen. If the moisture had fallen in the shape of snow and had lain on the mountains for sometime, it is the opinion of one promi nent fiverman that onr last big flood would have been cast iu the shade, so to speak. As it is, the rivers are not expected to get be yond a stage from which no damage can re sult As all freight is for lower river points, they are moving regularly, but the coal being all out, the principal river business is at a standstill. SEVERAL CHARGES BROUGHT. A Spcak.Enty Keeper Charged With Be ing Overly Pognaeloas. Cornelius Timothy and his wife, Florence, were arrested yesterday afternoon on warrants sworn out before Alderman Mc Masters by Mary Hoh, charging them with selling liquor without license in Spring alley, near Seventeenth street. The same proseutrix charged the husband with assault and battery. The defendants are yonng, and, as Mrs. Timothy was taken away from two or three young children, thev were allowed to spend the day in the Alderman's office, while a skirmish was made by friends for $1,500 bail. It was not forthcoming, however, and they were committed. HE WAS WEAE1NG IT. A Colored Overcoat Thief Spied by the Owner of the Garment. William Pendleton, colored, was arrested on Wylie avenue by Officer Kamer yester day afternoon for the larceny of an overcoat Pendleton had been a waiter at Freemason's Hall, during the early-part of the week, while the Scottish Bite initiations were in progress. On Wednesday evening Mr. James Mc Kee, the Smitbfield street jeweler, lost his overcoat from the hall, and yesterday after noon he saw Pendleton going along the street with the stolen, coat oa his back. IS HE. SMITH TO HANG? The Jury Finds the Murderer Guilty in the First Decree. TALK OP COMMOTING' SENTENCE. Laura Bailey Takes, French Leave of Her Surroundings. THE SAWMILL BON DAM IBT OH DECK At the opening of. Criminal Court yester day morning the jury in the case of "William H. Smith, colored, who was tried- for the murder of his wife, returned its Terdict They found Smith guilty of murder in the first degree. Judge "White commended the jury for the faithful discharge of its duties, and said he was glad to find a jury bold enough to "per form its duty. Be said there were several extenuating circumstances, and should they determine to recommend Executive clemency he would not object Smith had not raised his head, sitting as usual wjth his bead down and looking at his feet When the jury was discharged he was led back to jail. The verdict of first degree is so unusal an outcome of murder trials in this county as to, cause considerable excitement and form a subject of interesting gossip and reminiscences in legal circles. The last similar verdict was given In the Coffee case, but that prospective decorator of a real gallows cheated the-law out' of its rightful prey. The generally expressed opinion seems to bo that Smith will be leniently dealt with in the matter of Executive clemency. In fact, there Is already a movement on foot among the col ored population of ths city to present Smith's case fn a favorable light to Governor Beaver in hopes of securing a commutation of the sentence. LAURA BAILEY LEYANT3. She Must Have Thought Discretion tbo Better Fart or Valor. Laura Bailey and Florence Donaldson, charged with keeping May Sullivan, the Scott dale girl, for improper .purposes, were called for trial yesterday. Laura Bailey did not ap pear and Judge White ordered her bail to be forfeited and an attachment Issued for her. Her bond tfas 81,000. J. W. Scott, of the Diamond, being her surety. At the direction of the District Attorney a suit was filed in the Clerk of Courts' .office to recover from the bondsman on the bond. Florence Donaldson, the other defendant was present and entered a plea of guilty. She and Laura Bailey bad previously pleaded guilty, butafterward withdrew their pleas and decided to stand trial. Minnie Fleming, alias Sbupe, the last of those charged with being concerned in the affair, yet remains to be tried. It is thought that she had but little to do with tho case and will be acquitted. CRIMINAL CO DUT MATTERS. A Horse' Playful Nocturnal Gambol Con stitute n NnUancc. The jury is out In the case of Jeff DItman, tried on oath of Grant Geiger, for aggravated assault and battery, and malicious mischief. E. Rudolph and Robert Rudolph were convict ed of pointing firearms at MartinJDurkin, and were fined 6 cents and costs. Michael Cahill, tried for assault and battery on, Mary Qninn, was acquitted, and the costs divided. F. Koeb.no was convicted of maintaining a nui sance in tbe shape of a horse that kicked and stamped at night and prevented the neighbors from sleeping. The information was brought by C. Heineman. John'McConville. of theFourteenth waruwaa convicted of selling liquor without a license on oath of Constable Jones. NO POOH BAH BUSINESS.' A Debtor Cannot Serve m an Administra tor of an Estate. Register Connexjesterday refused to revoke the letters 'of administration of. the estate of Michael Wehrman, of the Southside, issued to James T. Grimes. Wehrman had but one living relative in this country, a cousin, who was indebted to bim. When he died Grimes applied for the letters of administration at the suggestion of creditors of Wehrman. A week after thev had been issned to him the cousin filed a petition, stating that he was the next of kin to'Webrman. and that the let ters should be issued to bim, and asking that tbe letters given to Grimes be revoked. Regis ter Conner held a hearing in the case, and it being shown that the cousin was a debtor to the estate, it was held that be was disqualified for the position nf administrator, and his peti tion was dismissed. PAYMENT STOPPED UNAVAIMNGLY. Mrs. ItlcOord Circalated an Order and Then Tried to &q'nelch It. In the case of the Iron City National Bank against Mrs. Martha J. McCord, a verdict was given yesterday for fiSl 10 for the plaintiff. Tbe suit was brought to recover on an order on the Dollar Savings Bank, for money on deposit, there. The order had been given to William J. Quinn, a contractor, for work performed, and he cashed it at tbe Iron' City Bank. Mrs. McCord afterward stopped payment on the order at tbe Dollar Savings Bank, because mechanic's liens bad been filed against her property, and the Iron City Bank sued her on the order. SAWMILL RUN DAM STICKS. The Terdict Does Not Compel Its Removal Property Holders' Redress. In'the Criminal Court yesterday J. W. Friend and Theodore Wood, who were tried for main taining a nuisance in the shape of the Sawmill run dam, were found not guilty, but ordered to pay the costs. Tbe verdict does not compel the removal of the dam, and the only way of relief now open to the residents of the West End, it is stated, is tbe construction of a sewer along tbe course of the run. Any of the property holders, how ever, havo the pri vllego of suing to recover for any material damage they may have sustained by reason of the dam. SOME SUBURBAN ELECTRICITY. Sowlckier, Osborne nod Edgeworth to Have Lighting Companies. A charter was filed in the Recorder's office yesterday tor the Sewickley Electric Company. The capital stock is $5,000 divided into 100 shares at 850 per Share The directors are W D. and J. M. Untegrair. C. C. Wolfe, E. K, Lit. tlo and Allan Marthans. Charters were also filed for tbe Osborne and Edgeworth Electric Companies.- They have the same directors and a capital stock each ot $500, divided into ten shares at $50 per share. What Legal Baaybodles Do, The following cases will be tried to-day In 'Criminal Court: Commonwealth vs. J. A. Armstrong, rat JM orton, J uiius ocnener, Frank Demelia. Ik tbe case of Robert T. Relneman against John Koch, a landlord and tenant suit, a ver dict was given yesterday for 56 31 for tbe plaintiff. . ' In tho suit ot Albert L Scott against tbo Im perial Life Insurance Company, an action on a policy, a verdict was given yesterday for the defendants. In. the suit of Evans Bros, against John Haworth and E. Friel, an action in replevin to recover goods, a verdict was given yesterday for 6 cents for the plaintiffs. GEOitOE H. Creese yesterday received a verdict for f 103 21 in his suit against J. S. Hartleyand William Rca. executors. ot George White, an action on a mechanic's Hen. IN the divorce suit, of Mrs. Mamie Haitman against Peter Hartman, brought on the grounds that the husband was unfit for married life, a verdict was rendered yesterday granting the divorce. In the snlt of George E. Moore against Henry Murphy, to recover damages for an alleged illegal ejectment from a brickyard, a verdict was given for the plaintiff yesterday for &10S6& In three suits of B. T. Small, administrator of George Neville; against Dunlap Wynn, ac tions on mechanics' liens, verdicts were given for the plaintiff yesterday f or K5 20, T0 GO.and $63 20 respectively. In the suit of Catharine Bye aad. Miry Moser against William H. Hays ad CeaMaUe Helner for damages for an alleged UssjsJ Wry: and sale for rent, a verdict was given yesterday for t cents damages for the plaintiffs. The suit of Mary I. Brown against the Pitts burg' Traction Company was tried before Judge Ewing yesterday. The plaintiff alleged . that while aligbtine from a car at the corner of ' Fifth avenne and Sheridan avenue the car was started before she got clear, of it and she was dragged a considerable distance and severely injured. She received a verdict of 1500 damages. INSTALLED THEIR 0FFICEBS. Waialnfton Lodge, A. F. A., Hold a Terr Interesting Meeting. Washington Lodge, No. 2, A. P. A., held theirregular meetingin Aulenbacher'sHaU, on Eighteenth street, on Thursday eveointr, and installed the following officers, B. M. G. M", John Wilson presiding : "W. M., John F.Todt;W. D.M., Louis Hartley; E. S., "William B. Clark; P. &, Henry Beckerj A. E. S.t Philip Norcomb; Treasurer, John Berchor. The following officers were appointed: Col.. "William H. Petennan; Assistant CoL, Fred Steinecke; Chaplain, S. B. Anderson; Inside Tyler, Chas. Eeed; Outside, Harry "Winters. The lodge initiated two new members and the meeting was made a very Interesting one. The lodge is in a good condition, hav ing a creditable balance in the treasury. After the installation the Grand Lodge offi cers were treated to an ice cream supper and were serenaded by tbe German Cornet Band. The P. "W. G. M. made an address, in which he defended the public school system. There wero eight other lodges represented. They were Luther No. 3, Grand View No. 7, Sons of Joshua No. II, Gustavus Adol phus No. 33, Teutonic No. 57 and Keystone No. 72. CODSCILMAH CAEE'S PLAK. A Tery Feasible Proposition to Secure Free Bridges. Councilman Carr, of the Twenty-seventh ward, will present a resolution in Councils next Monday authorizing the Mayor to call a special election for February upon the ques tion of issuing a million dollars' worth of bonds for the purchase or construction of a bridge across the Monongahela river by the city. There seems to be no question as to the city's power to condemn and purchase bridge property, and Mr. Carr's plan is con sidered to be very feasible. "The act ot 1873," said Mr. Carr yester day, "provides for the appointment of a commission and the purchase or erection of one or more bridges. I do not know whether this act will hold good under the new city charter, bnt the charter provides for in creasing the debt within the 7 percent limit The 51,000,000 increase would be a good entering wedge, and. as soon as we get one fzee bridge, others will soon follow." OUT OP THE BUIBS. Mrs. Garland Find Her Wnteh ud Rlosr ia theAshesi of Her Home. M. M. Garland's residence on Maple ave nue, Allentown, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. The fire originated, from a defective flue, and before the depart ment could arrive the building, with'' its contents, were in ashes. Mrs. Garland lost a lot of valuable jew elry. She has recovered a gold watch and diamond ring from the ruins. They can be repaired. The ring was her wedding ring and was valued more on that account Mr. Garland threatens to bring a suit against the city for damages. He told a Dispatch reporter that it was over 20 min utes Irom the time the fire started until the hose company arrived, and when they did arrive there wa3 an insufficient water supply, " UNIOy SEKY1CES- To he Held at tbe Soatbilde Presbyterlu Cbnrcb Thnnkcglvlnc The Walton M. K, Southside Presby terian, "Ninth TJ. P., Union Baptist and Eighteenth Street M. P. churches will com bine in observing Thanksgiving at the Southside Presbyterian Church, next Thurs day morning at 10:30 o'clock. Eev. B. B. , Wilburn will deliver the sermon. Look Oat for tho Gas. A fire that is liable to happen in many houses with more disastrous results was dis covered in the home of' A. Hohmeyer last Sunday. The family were just preparing to leave the house for church when one went upstairs for something and smelt fire; Going np to the third story the wooden mantel was fo and afire. It was put out with small loss.' The heat had been too intense and the wood work had caught from tbe grate. The Finn! Entertainment. The last of the series of special entertain ments in connection with the Grand Army fair, in Salisbury's Hall, was gives last night The hall was crowded. The pro gramme was an excellent one, and included music bv the celebrated Jubilee Singers and several local Vocalists. A EOCKI IEGISLATUEB. - Tbe Montana Lawmakers da Not Seeza to be In Harmony. Helkna, Mont., November 22. The Montana Legislature is called to meet at" noon to-morrow. Probably two-thirds of the members are already here, accompanied by a large sprinkling of State politicians.' To-day both parties are holding caucuses to decide "upon a course pf action. It is be lieved that there will be dual bodies of the House and that neither party will have a quorum in the Senate. The Democratic County Commissioners, yesterday created a sensation by taking possession of the legislative halls, expelling the janitor, putting new locks on all the doors, and placing watchmen to guard all approaches to the halls. To-day the keys' to the halls will be turned over to the Governor, to whom the County-' Commission ers have leased the rooms. It is thought certain, members will meet separately should the representatives from Silver Bow county-, certified to by the State Canvassing Board, ' be denied admittance. Politicians of both -sides talk of fighting to the end, yet a small number favor a compromise on the basis of one Senator from each party and division of legislative officers. LOOKING FOE LICENSES. The Question of Next Year's Leasee a Hatter of Anxiety. A movement is now on foot among the local saloonkeepers to get up a petition to the courts asking for a consideration of the license question at the earliest date possible so as to know whether they can get licenses before the time for renewing leases arrives. That considerable activity is existing in the license question is evidenced by the fact thatinlhe First ward, Pittsburg, several people have already been approached to go on the bonds of expectant saloonkeepers. BmUeis Treaties Aired. "EC H. Hull is charged before Alderssaa McMasters with the fraudulent appropria- tion of money and the fraudulent alteration of partnership books, by Mrs. Jennie Hep len Mrs. Hepler says that Hull was a business partner oi her deeeased husband, and that in the settlement of the firm's business she was defrauded by Hall. She ihuBMlka t eolleetad saorv of whisk' m aeeewat wm !B4e, a4 emeUeesl W wiekjrj ITaTiTTirtsllT MArfMdfcV tsut ilH AM. SsK MstsV rfwHrng sJwfWj vW saxw " w Mpg? '. ?- ' f: 3 HT tei .l,i. JEi