Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 4, Number 38, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 21 March 1874 — Page 6

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JBJP OOOJD TO YOUR&XLF." Good-bye!" tt« drtt ?. As Um aeh «wt »n miwii And oaetunan bowed his

Be good K. yoaieett—my «i 11, f* Ah many fond aoed-tae r*e heard From many an aching heart And many MMMUT tow*U wrti

Vhnrai«iMii^to^ s..-t ^ndl'wbunlt wiwi fry |Qlp*t many a «M -.- lofc*- ,J And m«D7 pr*y*r mm Up*

That all *-u«mbl« *!**«. fi| And many a W*of P**8!4 adviee In smooth i*rov«rbUI phia»e 4And «mubya wtah—of UU1« pri«»-

For health and happy days. Bat maaing how the hamar. Whatever the fetes may w: SOU memaarm by t«*»eU-«mU01,

ItiimtMtimartil Of benediettons I pnt«« '•lid m*ny a •hUalos port.. I like tbe marry coach man'*

Be good to yoataelf—ray »|£*u

,4iV original STORY.

THE WIFE'S SIN

XM. AUCS K. C. JOHDAN.

CHAPTER I.

Mrs. Agnes Tracy »t alone by the window in her elegantly famished rooms at the Clliton House. The moos bang chill, sad clear above the creeping mists of the river the lights from the boats stared up at her with their red eyes. A steamer was leaving the wharf, and as the warning taps of the

%bell

rang oat upon the night, the women sitting here alone recognised in their melancholy chimes tue knell of her departing happiness.

Agnes Tracy's had. been a singularly Isolated girlhood. An orphan, and poor in early life. She had been adopted by her aunt, a bustling woman advanced in years, sud the mother of a large family of boys. Ju a home where there wss so much need of work, and governed by a woman whose chiefest thought was how she could best meet the temporal wants of her family, it was not a matter of wonder that quiet, and intellectual little Agnes acquired the habit of living In a world or her own, which she created in her own thoughts. In this world the people were all heroes and heroines: all life was made up just such love, and kindnew ss her starved heart yearned for. She borrowed, and read indiscriminately, every kind of book she possibly could, and her reading, and dreaming made a pleasant variety In her overworked life. How often was the uncongenial task performed without a thought being given to her ooOnpation while building nerair-castles in which, by some miraculous means, the hero ever made his appearance to remove her from her uncongenial home, to some delightful place of his own.

When Agnes was fifteen her aunt died. The lamily was broken up, and Agnes would have again been lett desolate, had tnot a cousin of her aunt's, pitying her forlorn condition, and feeling in some sort the claims of kinship, taken charge of and placed her in a good school. Agnes' gratitude was great, and showed itself in her intense application to study. The neglect of her early years bad left a deep impression on her sensitive nature she heid aloof from her schoolmates, and spent her leisure hours in dreamland. At eighteen she graduated with high honors. Howard Tracy found himself somewhat bewildered concerning his future, when the closing examination of the sohool wss ended, and he was sifely on board the steamer, enroute for home, accompanied by bis beautiful protege. Howard Tracy was a bachelor a sensible, good man,who despised romance from the bottom of bis heart.

Agnes' vacations had been spent at* the school, and he naturally retained the idea of her as he had seen her last, the dsy he placed her under Madam Worths care three years before, now he fonnd himself totally unprepared to divine the proper course to pursue regarding the refined and beautiful girl ne was conducting to his boardinghouse home in the river-side town of Hock ford. Together they sat np*n the hurricane deck of the steamer. The Jane night seemed ateeped in the moonlight, nnd the warmth, and the glory of summer^" The witchery of the night was upon them. He was intoxicated with the beauty and freshness of the woman who sat beside him, and for the first time in all bis money-get-ting existence a dream of love, and wife, and home stole over him and a possibility that Agnes might uecome all this to* him. He began bis wooing by recounting to her the story of bis life. Beginning with his orphaned boyhood, picturing bis trials, his aims, and bis defeats lingering upon the steady perseverance that had secured him success, and ending by telling how more than repaid. he woold account himself, for ail the hardships he had endured if Fortune would at last accord to blrn her lovely self. Howard Tracy was already the hero of Agnes' heart. She looked upon him as the worshipped benefactor of her life: she invested him with all the qualities which her ideal lover possessed, and this being the case accounted herself favored indeed to be chosen of him. The year which followed this marriage had not brought unallayed happiness to Agnes. Her organisation. made aeatefy sensitive to poetry, and fiction by the dreaming, isolated life she bad lived, bad led her to invest her husband with more than human perfections. The future which she had propheaied for tbem, wfts 00 rain-bow nued te find Its realisation in this proeey world Of ours. The ideal husband soon dissolved into an ordinary mortal with an "eye to the main chance," and an otter detestation of the sentimentalities of Ufa!* And it followed that Agnes, abat op in the seclusion of her rooms at the hotel, her early experience in housekeeping having given her a distaste to that comfort, had Tittle else to do than to brood over the 'inoompallbilittes' of her wedded life. She did bot oonstder that it was by herself the mistake had been made, and that she oould not blame her husbaod with the deception she bad practiced on herself she had even a lower estimate of his worth thart be deserved.

We hope we hare made tbe working? of this woman 1 mi ad plain to you, and that In the history we are about to relate, the kifHt reader win accord her tje charity sbs so greatly needs.

CHAPTER II.

The month* was October, tbo "wft&tbir deltghifol. Mr. Tracy bad given his wife*span of lovely dapple-grey ponies, and a charming phieton, and bar rosiest pleasure was derived from the ng and solitary rides which she took over tbe oountry, adjacent to ftoekford. Agnes had an ttstbetle love of the beautiful. At this season of the year when the hedges were fired with scar let, and tbe ledges were gelden with clinging vises and the sky hang with

W*

amethyst! sunshine. she keenly enJoyed fuur drives in tbe quiet country places. One of her favorite baanta was upon a narrow road that branched on from the highway, and wound Itself I about the foot of a high hill, with often times only a narrow edge of sand, and rock between tbe river, and the shelving ellBs above. A picturesque place whdre pawpaw busfae* dropped their brown fruit on the tawny grass, and wild grapes, whose purple cluster* were 2ready pearled fey the frost, hung in luxuriant profuitoij from the vine embowered treea. The "wood-lonell-nesa," combined with the beauty of the atmosphere, and the wild ducks circling high overhead made a fitting accompaniment to tbe autumnal reverie. Agnes was one day enjoying, when the ponies, frightened by tbe whirr of a patridge, startled from its leafy oovert by their sudden approach, broke from under her control, and ran madly over the dangerous way. Oaiy a short distance ahead Of them the road made a aharp turn around a boulder that at some previous time bad becotne dislodged from tbe ledge sbove. At the rate of speed they were going Agnes knew that sbe could not pass this obstruction without probable socident to herself, and aat silent and pale, expecting momentary destruction, ween a stranger sprang out from the roadside, and aelzea tbe rear horse by the bridle with such force as to bring the carriage to a sudden stop. For a moment

Agues was too stunned to express her thanks, but even then sbe was conscious in a dazed way of the magic sweetness of the voice that assured her of bor safety,and of the mystic depths *f the dark eves which seemed so sad she involuntarily wished to know their history.

Her first exclsmation was to ex press tbe fear that he had broken bis arm wbioh hung limp, and powerless by his side. He assured her that be bad only sprained bis wrist, but her distress was so evident that he accepted a seat by her side, and was rapidly driven into town. Tbe surprise of Mr. Tracy upon meeting his wife thus accompanied was unpleasant, bat gave way to a feeling of thankfulness upon learning thecircumstanoesunder which they bad met. Tbe acquaintance so auspiciously begun soon ripened into friendship. Richard Armitage was a gentleman, and a scholar, these attributes combined with a singularly fascinating manner, a fine descriptive power, and a poetic taste, made him a prized caller at the Tracy's. He had lately returned Irons Europe, and had come to Rock ford to visit a oousin whom be had not seen ior years. Mr. Tracy rejoiced equally with his wife upon tbe accession of so valuable an acquaintance, and soon tbe pleasure of the evenings at the Tracy's seemed incomplete unless brightened by his presence.

It was now the last of November, and still Armitage lingered on at Rockford. He felt a keen delight in the presence of Agnes. He enjoyed talking to her. No other woman had ever welcomed or comprehended his thought so fully as she did. And if a half-defined perception of what her presence was becoming to him sometimes entered bis mind, the salient point that she was a wife, and so beyond his influence, assured to him the safety of his position, and led him to abjure tbe Idea of danger. He enjoyed, as a Sybarite enjoys bis wine, the glorious beauty, the impassioned, poetic temperament,, the friendship, tenderer than a man's and not so exacting as a wife's, which this woman possessed for him. Tbe refinement of his tastes were regaled at the sacrifice of principle.

Upon a stormy November evening Mr. Tracy arrayed in a dressing gown and slippers, was listening in an abstracted way to what Armitage was saying. Agnes sitting quietly in tbe shadow, admiring the wonderfully fine voice in which he talked or his foreign travels. He told them of Venice, the bride of tbe sea, of how he had wandered at midnight over the royal place of St. Mark, and admired the thousand columns that form its porticoes, shedding a flood of light over the gathered multitude. He bad floated in its black gondolas, listened to the gondolier's song, teeming with the love and tragedy of that southern clime. As he talked on of Italy, tbe land of glorious memories, and wealth of art, of glittering sea, and emokiug volcano, of myrtle and laurel and orange groves, of gay and happy France, of classic Greeoe. Agnes fell into a train of thought which of late had become a frequent occurrence with her—the habit of contrasting Armitage with her husband. The man who, while all this brilliant flow of wosds Vas falling upon his ears, was engaged in quietly figuring upon the margin of hia newspaper as to tbe probable margin be would make on nis last shipment of grain the day's paper stating an advance in price over yesterdays scales. Agnes thought "what a material mass my husband is," and a sigh escaped her wben she reflected that even now Armitage was more nearly allied to her in heart, and soul than Tracy. At that moment Armitage arose to go.

I must leave you earlier than usual this evening," he said, "because I most pack my trunk to-nigbt, as I start for the city in the morning. I received tidings this afternoon which impels me to harry off. Good-bye Mr. Tracy."

Mr. Tracy wrung his hand warmly, and he turned to Agnes. The sudden announcement of Armitage's departure -bad taken all the color from her face, at sight of it, a sudden comprehension of his power flushed inte bis own. ••Good-bye, Mrs. Tracy he would not trust himself to sav another word, but was gone out of the room, ami from the house before she could rcpl^r.

Agnes west over and sat down by the window. Tbe woman's face was white. What business had the days t» close down upon her like a granite wall, because a man with esthetics tastes, and poetic temperament like her own was going out of tbem. Sbe tried to pray silently for help to do hsr duty for strength to tarn from evil, b«t the handsome face of Richard Armitage was ever before her, and her prayers fell baok on her heart like lead. Sbe had encountered the realisation of her girlhood dreams only to be met with and fought. And this brings us to tbe beginning proper of our story, and we have launched onr heroine a dreamer upon the "sea of life, whose waves are dreams."

CHAPTER in.

:'v'

Tbe night was wearing on. Agnes remained by the window deeply engaged in a painful reverie. Through the half opened bedroom door came the sound of tbe deep and regular breathing of her sleeping bnsband, wben the cry of °flre" rang oot upon tbe still night air, startling the inhabitants of Ro«kford from their q#l*fc slumbers. Soon the ringing of bells, and tbe din and oonftunon of people harrying towards tbe scene of calamity, oame vp from the street below: but Mr. Tracy exhausted by tbe businese naree of the day lay fa unbroken sleep* Hurrying feet eamo along the passage, and stopped just outside the door im­

IKKKK-HAUTE SATUltUAV EVENING MAIL, MARCH 21. 1874.

mediately there was a ipud knocking, and an etcited voice calling: "Twt, Tracy,' the warebonae Is on fire I In an instant Tracy waa up and aw&y. When he reached the warebooae the flames were bursting eot of many of tbe windows, and creeping np and lapping the oornlce of the bugs building, ft must have been on fire for some time, to have gained each headway. The offioe waa aituated on tbe sscond floor, bat Tracy felt that be roust rescue the books and papers of the firm, though it sboald best the peril of his life. Could be stand by and see fruits of years of toil slip from his hands? No, already he was grooping bis way op the burning stairway the smoke blinding and choking htm. He reaches the aafe, and securing the most valuable papers turns with his arms full of his precious books to descend the stairway. He gains tbe head of the landing only to find it enveloped In flames, and his retreat cat off. He stands a moment undecided what to do next, whca a falling beam scatters the burning splinters around hint. A stinging pain is In his head, a blinding flash shuts out the light he turnu, retraces his steps, and mechanically drops himself into his old office chair, with tbe ransomed papers bugged dosely to bis hesrt.

MMy

God be

said, "it is sll over with me!" Meanwhile tbe wildest excitement prevailed smong the spectators of tbe burning warehouse, ss tbe moments olspsed and tbe proprietor did not make his appearance. Over and above the hurried talk of tbe men, and tbe sobs of women, a voice wss beard issuing commands in a quick, peremptory way. Ladders were brought and spliced toetber with ropes, until one was made ong enough to reach up to theoffloe window, and climbing up, hand over hand, defying the heat that blistered bis faoe, and tbe cinders that were falling about him. Richard Armitage was hastening to the rescue of a fellow being. 'Twas but the work of a moment for him to gain the window a hush of expectancy,so profound that not even a sob was audible, fell upon the waiting multitudr. Tbe heat was now Intense, tbe eastern portion of tbe roof fell with a seething roar, and the flames gathering new impetus rolled up into tbe sky a mighty banner of fire. At this moment Armitage reappeared at the window with Tracy, tbev were greeted with a shout wbioh enaed In a wail as they recognized the difficulty with which Armitage was contending in saving himself, and Tracy, who blind despairing, still clung to bis books, and so shackled his bandc so far as helping himself. But at last, in reward of tbe super-human efforts put forth by Ajrmitage,* they were saved from death. Kind hands are ready to receive them kind hearts have already in waiting a carriage to convey the wounded man to his home, but be heeds no voice, obeys no hand but that of his rescner, and so Armitage occupies a seat in tbe carriage by his side, and tbey are rapidly driven to the hotel. The events or tbe night had rendered the morning's journey impracticeable and Armitage rejoiced that it was so. Until the parting of the previous evening he had not known bow much Agnes was to him. Hitherto he had only thought of his power over her, and had plumed himself on tbe honor and grace that bad kept him from using it. Now he did not deny to himself bow he thirsted for even one more look upon her. To bim she was an enchantress, but he relied upoa the strength of his wtll—a 'hHp which lies nearer than all else tu tbe ueart of man —to break the spell she held over him. Agnes had followed her husband to tbe fire, and had been among the people an agonized watcher, and to Armitage the cheers of tbe admiring multitude was not so dear to bim, even when the emergency of tbe hour led him out of himself and made a hero of bim, as the thrill that Agnes'—"It was like you," had given bim. If he had only followed out the good intention which he bad entertained of going away and leaving time to destroy any impression be might havo made. Ah! if he only had but does not the gentle reader remember, that a certain plaoe, not to be mentioned in this connection,—except by way of contrast,— is paved with good intentions. In the happy time of Tracy's convalescence, the old Intimacy was renewed. Tracy In the depth of bis gratitude towards tbe man who bad twice been a saviour unto him, insisted upon his taking up bis abode with tbem for tbe winter at least. Fate smoothing the way for him, Richard Armitage did not turn aside. The need of his heart outweighed the dictates of his conscience, To love a beautiful woman madly, recklessly, to feel that he alone possessed the power to stir her inmost soul by word, a look, a touch to feel that earth held no other pleasure so sweet as her presence, and then to turn away because tbe law of the land forbade. Was she not his by every pulse that quickened at her coming? Heart, soul and brain. And Agnes, day after day, as the delirious pleasure of Armltage's presence made itself felt by her, the life-long hunger and loneliness of her soul took possession of her body ngainst ber will the eyes grew soft ami luminous tbe life blood lesped into tbe bloom cheeks, and tbe lips parted In smiles. And so these two people, with no master passion for vice, on the contrary persons whose refinement had received an elaboration of culture were letting tho tempter lead them on to evil,

CHAPTER IV.

Day after day Armitage made his appearance at the Tracy's and each day left him happier than when It met him until winter had rolled by and spring had come. The earth was full of the laughter of sun-sblne, and tbe muslo of sprouting leaves. Mrs. Tracy was not well. There was a langoar and llstlessness about her, that Mr. Tracy Hon Id not account for, unless indeed she had confined herself too closely to the house during her watchful attendance over bis illness for Agnes while she felt her affections turning from bim bad been very regardful of ber wifely duty. It was tbo way she took to pay off her debts to conscience, perhaps she aleo thought she might wash out the aocounts with her tears, for certain it Is that In those days she crieda good deal. Mr. Tracy believed that if she would go about, out of doors, Alter his own healthy fashion she would soon recover ber health and spirits. So It came about that, altbongh engaged by the multiplicity of affairs which had accumulated during his illness, Mr. Tracy wss going to take bis wife eot for an afternoon's pleasure. We have said that Howard Tracy was not a sentimental roan neither was there any thing about his life "to remind on# of a poem," on tbe contrary bis life waa as plain, and healthy, and real aa a day's noon sunshine, yet there was an unusual tboaghtfalneaa, and tenderness In his inannef a* be banded his wife into ber charming little phaeton to which were attached a span of dapple-grey ponies, the long tails sweeping the

(sek

§S#S|I|PsBi

round, and tbe glossy manes tossed from the proudly curved necks. He took his seat by her

there was not a Incklar felldw tbaa he. Armitage stood upon tbe hotel steps looking down upon them. Tracv mentafly compared himself to this man so winning In parson and manners so gifted In mind, so every way fitted to win the love of woman yet standing to-day alone and loveless, though to so ordinary a mortal aa himself. Fortune bad been more than kind. He gathered tbe lines preparatory to starting, when an office boy came running np to bim with message. Here waa a dilemma. Tracy t®* mediate presence was needed at nil place of business, and Agnes' health demanded tbe promised ride. He explained tbe situation to bia wife who immediately propoeed to defer the trip until some more convenient time, but Tracy Insisted npon ber going, and beckoning to Armitage desired mm to aeoompany ber. Richard turned quickly toward Agnea ss if awaiting her affirmative, but abe was painfully embarrassed, and it was full a moment ere she accepted his services, and then hesitatingly as though sbe did it nnder protest. Sbe felt it to be a cruel fate which threw her thus aloue with him and if any barm came of it, it sorely would be Howard's fault. "Of foot, and blind," sbe thought bitterly of her trusting husband. Th "man of business" watched them drive away, satisfied that he had secured to Agnes an afternoon's pleasure, and then turned, with a light heart, and walked away, bia mind busy upon tbe glowing future be saw before him. Armitage turned tbe horses beads in tbe direction of tbe winding road so fraught with precious memories to both the place where he had saved her from tbe peril ot death, and tbe spot above all others the most likely to awaken tender thoughts of him. Tbe wild flowers lined evdry bank. The tinted snow-violets witb their deep green leaves, and pale blue flowers the trailing arbutus caressing tbe feet of the gray rocks, objects of deep admiration to Agnes. Occasional glimpses of the river brought to view in the Ivarious windings of the road, showed a small boat drifting upon its turbid waters. The silence which had lain between them since their starting was breken by Armitsge who bummed softly:

Drifting, drifting on, and on, Maat, and oar, and rudder gone• Fatal danger for each one, We helpless as In dreams." Mrs. Tracy hastened to make some trivial remark, aiming to disturb his sentimental train of thought.

How lonely It Is," sbe said, "we have not met a person on the road." The face be turned towards ber showed how fruitless the effort was.

Oh Agnes, lonely with me 1 Do you think I do not know bow much you suffer in fighting against my love? Toda/ earth holds no dearer hope than that in the future tar away from here, perhaps in some foreign land, my life shall find its completeness in yours. Agnes my poor darling you do love me I Would you like to go witb me

Me might as well, sbe thought have asked ber if she would like to go in with the chosen, and sit down with the bieet in heaven. To be with bim, her love. Unconsciously sbe leaned towards him he gave her no space for answer but drew ber close and then pressed bis lips to hers in passionate embradfe. He held her still, and firmly in his arms, whispering words of deep tenderness and told her how madly and recklessly he loved her. To Agnes the touch of Armitage's lips meantlove

Bure

and faithful. Tbe dream of her fe was held to ber lips she drank one draught, warm, bright, tender, maddening with its hopes. For a moment she felt the triumph of a mighty temptation tbe next instant all the honor, and purity of her life culminated

S'eroesla

aide

amlling,

complacent, happy. In all Rockford

Bhe

freed herself from him sitting erect and apart, sbe thought not of herself nor of him, but of the man whose honor and happiness entrusted to ber safe keeping she had betrayed. Armitage protested, and plead with the desperation of a man who sees his last cbanoe of happiness drifting away from him,— "At least Agnes," he said, "you do not deny that you love me A swift pain was coming and going about the mouth, the hands were clasped together fn hor lap. "Yes Richard I do, but my only wish is to bury the shame in my own heart, and hereafter to secure the peace and the honor of my husband, shall be my only aim. God helping me." The words were breathed out of a yearning soul throbbing with pain, but loyally upholding the majesty, and dominion of the moral law. Just then the sun broke out from behind a cloud, and threw a sudden illunrination over the bright spring landscape. Its red beams flushed tbe pale forehead, and touched the clasped hands as If God had stretched out pitying hands to uphold the tried woman from temptation. In silenoe they made the homeward journey, Agnes, in defiance of tbe cravings of bis selfish heart, had risen immeasurably in Armitage's estimation, but had fallen correspondingly low in her own. Could she ever forget the moment when she had lain in Armitage's arms, and received hia embrace? Would she ever feel at peace with her husband until she bad confessed her sin to him? Was it her duty to confess? All this engaged her thoughts Suntll she alighted at home and ascended to her own room. Upon the decision of the hour intervening before ber husband's return, rested the peace and happiness of two lives for many years. In tbe next chapter we shall find out what it was.

ii:,

CHAPTER V.

Duty Is a stern law-giver. Perhaps no person ever realised this more fuily than Agnes Traoy upon the evening succeeding her eventful ride. Sbe walked tbe floor trying to think, trying to decide upon what would bs the best thing for her to do, and trying to pray, for In any mighty trouble a woman's soul always finds something very like a prayer rising in heart. The room was not dark for the bright moonlight was pouring In through th© part«d ourtains. Afire burned low in the grate crimsoning the silver light. Agnes looked about her, and as ber ayes rested upon tbe appliances of elegance, and luxury that furnished, and adorned ber suite of apartments, a feeling ol solid respect for the man who, alone and onaided bad made himself a name and a position among men, took possession of ber, and the fear of losing bia respect seemed to her the greatest calamity that could befell her. To remain with him meant salvation to her but oonld sbe go on deceiving him, through all the coming years, for her own salvation's sake? There were no tsars In her eyas, nothing to tell of the struggle going on in her soul, excepting tbe White face tbat grew whiter still aa she listened to the sound of^ footsteps ap.

roftchlDg her door. Coulcl It ba that woold come to her in tbe person of ber husband? No she woold not believe it. He would pity tbe weakness that bad betrayed her he was ever kind. At tbe remembrance of hisklsdnces, a recollection ofall be had been to her flooded her heart, and whatever strength, or wifely feeling there was In her, llfed her unstable nature at tbat moment onto heights of

at»bUm#t eoarage. fib* half roea to meet him"Agnes yon doo't know anything to be tie matter with Armitage, do yon

r'I

pawed bia in tbe street, and positively the fellow did not Me me. Looked as mad as a March bare, and"—Agnes pat oat ber hand to stop him, and without giving herself a momenta time in which to niter, aha throw herself open bia merey. and told him the whole story. Told It with many teara and faltering*. but It was all over at last, and at its close Howard Trsey stood looking down npon bia beautttaJ, repentant wife with a dasad look upon bis faoe which revealed nothing to her who so anxiously awaited bis Judgment. Tbe gorprise bad driven bis imaginative nature into stolidity. He took oot his watch wound it, croeaed over to tbe mantle, and dropped it into tbe ornamented pocket banging mgatast the wall: it fell witb a thud. Again silenoe reigned throughout tbe room, only breken by tbe load ticking of tbe dock. Agnes eould bear the suspense no Ionger.

Oh, Howard," sbe exclaimed, a quiver of pain ruuning along the words tbat must have told nim how she suffered, "wont you speak to me V*

What do you expect me to aay in angry tonea, "shall 1 oall yon some terrible nsme snd cast you off? That is what 1 would do doubtless if I followed my own inclination. But think you I have worked all these years to gain honor and social position, to assist you to blsoken tbem by tbesmlroh of scandal No, madam but if yon oould die this moment, ana save me from farther disgrace I would be glad. I wae a fool to ever marry, and thus plaoe my honor in the keeping of any woman. As yon say you will have the decency never to see this man again—the world may never find it out, but if tbe truth is ever made public, I shall curse you, Agnes Trscv, to tbe latest hour of my lifer" He turned in a white heat of passion, and walked with angry strides out of the room. Agnes listened until the lsst eoheof his retreating foot-steps had reoeded in the distance. The pleading, anguished look had gone from ber face, ana in its stesd there shoae oneof quiet, determination not unmixed witb scorn. Intellectually, of coarse, Agnes knew there wss no common ground between tbem, but sbe had thought be loved her, and her greateet pain had been at tbe thought of tbe blow sbe mast give him through his love. She felt tbst it would be easy to forgive him the upbraidings of an outraged affection, or tbe reproaches of an injured husband, and in truth sbe half expected these, but it was gall to know tbat sbe was nothing to him tbat sbe hsd only hurt bim in so far as Bhe endangered bis reputation. Looking upon it as her busband looked npon it her confession' had been a mistake. Agnes realized this now, and as sbe thought npon tbe cruel things he had said to her, the strong desire to go away and leave everything, and everybody connected with her past took possession of her. Mechanically she began making preparations for departure. He wished tbat sbe were dead. Very well, she would be dead to bim. Sbe was very angry, and an ingry woman is ever tbe most unressonable of creatures. In a few moments she hsd packed a small traveling bag with such things as sbe deemed necessary for tbe comfort of a short journey, put her purse, which happened te be well filled, into her pocket, and enveloping ber person in a large cloak, and concealing her features under a thiok veil, she went forth into tbe night: homeless and a wanderer. Tbe evening was far advanced. Agnes, uncertain what sbe should do first, unconsciously bent her steps in the direction of the river, and walking hastily down the levee, she stood with feet just touching the waves tbat rippled serenely against tbe pebbly shore. The lights gleamed from the anchored crafts the breeze blew gently in. There was nothing to tell of strife, and temptation here. Nothing but the quiet beauty tf the night, the gentle murmur of the flowing river, and the silver moonlight, slanting upon the silence. Here was rest, and pes.ee. Would it not be best to put an end to the perplexities of her existence beneath the waves? Tbe strong young life within her recoiled at tbe thought, and involuntarily she stepped backward. No she was not driven to the wall yet it is a mighty desperation which gives a man the power to enter uncalled the presence of his Maker. While sbe stood there, irresolute which way to turn, two steamers were rounding tbe bend above Rockford. and coming down the river almost side by side. The hope that one ot them would land died out of Agnes' hsart, as she perceived them to be racing, for generally the transient business is neglected when its

Koat.

erformance hinders the speed of the But the shriek of the whistle, followed by the ringing of the bell, soon sent Agnes hurrying along the levee in tbe direction of the wharf-boat, from whence she could see tbe red eye of the effective signal still swinging. Sbe gave no tbftught to tbe unseemlyness of her position, as alene she stood upon the guards of the wharf-boat impatiently awaiting the landing. She was elosely veiled, and her form completely disguised beneath the folds oi ner long cloak. The boat did not throw a line, a plank was pushed out, and the clerk hastened across to attend ber. The stranger who had hailed the boat pushed past them nervously. Tbe captain was swearing at the loss of time the landing had occasioned, the boat was already wheeling herself out npon the broad waters when the light, streaming through the glass doors of the saloon, shone full upon tbe face of Richani Armitage. Tbough be had not recognised her, Agnes felt assured of the suspicion that would naturally be entertained by her husband wben the morrow would reveal to him that they had both left Rockford at the same time. She regretted that she had lett Tracy would not he have forgiven her in time O, why bad sbe not remained and done her duty, simply for duty's sake if nothing else. The closeness ot her stateroom oppressed ber. She did not wish to show berself where she might be recognised so she avoided the deck, where many persons, tempted by tbe beauty ef tbe night, and tbe excitement of the race, were gathered, and chose a quiet nook in the stern outside the ladies' saloon. Here leaning on the bulwark of the boat, her eyes fixed on the foaming wake which the boat traced behind it, and the radiance of the moonbeams bad turned to a pathway of gold, her thoughts busy with the regretted past, snd her heart crushed to an utter helplessness of misery, Agnee Tracv stood face to faoe witb ber future. It looked a bleak and barren way, there were no flowers blossoming by tbe wayaide, but she prayed God for strength to stand In It resolutely, and wben the thorns and briers tore ber tender feet,abe would remember that It waa orly the harvest of her own sowing. At that moment sbe felt berself sale, the next instant the Irresistible current of hor love for Armitage swept over ber. Tbe tempter whispered, you are already ruined: who will care whether you live an honest life henceforward, or not Who will give you credit If yon dot There waa a migbty

ir

3tt

iBSSfl 'w

I

ooafitat going on in ber soul sbe bowed ber head upon tbe bulwark and prayed, "Lord, deliver me from temptatlon. A great 00m motion was going on about ber, but abe heeded it not. Tbe captian and offioers were usln^ every available mesas to distance tbeir rival, but she was gaining on them. Inflammable subatanoaa, taken from tbe cargo, were thrown into tbe furnace ana visibly increased tbe speed of tbe bast. A mighty cheer ascended from tbe boat aa abe shot past her rival, bat I at this moment a column of vivid light! shot up into tbe aky. Tbe steamer waa en fire tbe machinery, intensely heat-1 ed during tbe race bad ignited the wood work aurrounding it, and In tbe moment of tbeir triuinp, wben all hands had rushed to the side of tbe boat near- 1 est tbe defeated rival, the flames had 1 been unnoticed. Tbe delay proved fatal, and a soene of terror and confusion ensued. Tbe boat's bead wss turned shoreward, but unfortunately when within fifty yards of the beach she struck upon the rocks. Amid the shrieks of agony, the wild prayers, and even cursings which made tbe soene one of indescribable horror, Agnes again saw Armitage working heroically in bis efforts to save tbe women and children. Danger seemed to te the element his nature expanded iut and that night hisdsrini? might have been termed recklessness. The heat was now becoming unendurable. Agnes made no oatcry. nor effort towards saving herself. but stood still with the quiet of despair. She had given berself up for lost.

At this perilous moment, a strong srm encircled ber waist, while the obeering voice of Richard Armitage pronounced her name in accents of sur-

Eis

rise. The delight that flashed over face as be folded her in passionate embrace, revealed to Agnes the construction he had pat apon ber presence there, and the thrill of jay which ran through her being, responsive to his magnetic touob, abowed liier how week had been the resolutions of the passing hoar. No time waa to bo lost. Armitage tied a rope about Agnes' waist and lowering her into tbe water, he descended himself. Being sn expert swimmer, he dirooted Agnes tooling to his shoulder and struck out swiftly for the shore. There were many persons struggling In thf water, ana a great deal of noise and confusion. Agnes realized the power Armitage held over her in the depths of ber tired heart. She wanted to do right for right's sake, and if she was rescued by him, might not greater temptations Isy before ber

For Tracy's sake, if not for my own, I ought not to subject myself to farther danger," and voluntarily letting gc ber bolaupon bis shoulder, with his voice calling ber name in agonized tenderness sounding in her ears, she permitted herself to drift away in the darkness, beyond the reach of his influence forever.

CHAPTER VI.

The violence of Howard Tracy's anger was the measure of its duration. Deoeived in tbe two persons be trusted most, for many moments after going out from bis wife's presence he could believe nothing but the moBt guilty things of her, and tbeir mutual friend. He crossed to tbe shady side of tbe street, and bent his steps in the direction of his now deserted offloe. He clenched his hands until the nails were buried in tbe palms, as be compared bis condition now with what it had been in tbe afternoon. Was he not a lucky fellow now He was not a penny poorer sinoe that time on tbe contrary tbe transaction, to attend to which be had sacrificed the pleasure of tbe drive, bad proved a paying Investment, but Howard Tracy was beginning to realize tbat money, after all, is not all of life to him. Something seems to have gone out of his life that money and position can never make up to bim. He unlocked the office door. The room was not dark, for the moonlight was pouring In through tbe uncurtained windows, and lying soft and white upon tbe rough and familiar furnishings. But Howard Tracy stops upon tbe tbresbbold, his form shaken by a migbty emotion. Tbe similarity of his surroundings have recalled to his mind tbe time, when once before in the midnight hour, he had entered his office, and fallen into his chair with every hope of salvation crushed out of his heart, and bow in tbe very darkest moments of despair this man whom he was hating in his sonl, had oome to him asavlour of life. Tracy's strength suddenly left bim. He bad overstrained bis laith in himself. He could not condemn them so bitterly as he did at first. A faint glimmering of tbe real truth seemed dawning in bis mind. He could not be a fool if he tried he was too thoroughly a practical man for that, and, brought to nis senses by this incident, he socn became aware tbat in his conduct towards his wife his judgment bad been missing. And then his love, grown stronger tbat it had all along held itself in obeyance until his anger had subsided, pleaded for the wife. He remembered her unwillingness to accompany Armitage upon tbe fateful drive, and recalled many little incidents which oonfirmed bis belief in ber declaration that from impulse, and not from principle had she sinned but he had said to her ho would never forgive her. His doubts came rushing back in a torrent. No, he would never trust her again. All through tbe long night Howard Tracy remained in bis office fighting a fierce battle all his cowardly pride of social position,*and all bis wounded vanity were on one side and all bis pitying love on the other. In the gray of the morning the room Is full of shadows, and from tbe darkest corner there is one other shadow which seems to bear tbe semblance of his wife. It ia ah© whom he has loved, after his fashion, honored, admired, and set up for the world to respect. He *ees her to the exclusion of himself, and at that moment ber sin against bim is forgiven. He passed out into the street with a

Sming

uicx step, he anticipates tbo joy bis will bring to ber, be has seldom been abroad so early in tbe morning but he thinks it must he an unusual thing to see so many people gathered in knots and talking with subdued voices. There is a quieter crowd gathered about tbe hotel steps, and then be learns of the burning of tbe steamer on the previous night, and bow tbe surviving passengers of the ill-feted boat are even now quartered in the botoi, having been brought np tbe river an hour ago by a passing packet. At another timel^racy'Bsyinpatbieewould have led him to investigate the particulars, bet now he passed tbem hastily, nor paused until be stood within his own room. The wheel of the lamp

was

turned low^

the fire had burned out, and gray ashes filled the grate, there waa not any one there. With softened footsteps he approached the inner door, st» had doubtleas remained op until late watching for bim, he would not waken her, At that moment all tbe comfort, and tenderness of the world centered in his wife. AH tbe world besidea was lonelines*, and strife bis fear of tbe world cowardice carefully be poshes tbe door apart, the room la ftmpty. There [Conctmdtd en 8evt*ih Pa#*.}