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$2.50
a Year.

V-OL. VIII.

PUBLISHED WEEKLYBY BEADLE AND ADAMS,
No. 98 William Street. New York.

. Price.
Five Cents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“HAVE on? YOU SMOKE, I PRESUME?"

A WILLPUL WIPE;

0r, WHICH WAS TO BLAME?
BY LILLIAN LOVEJOY.

CHAPTER I.
QUITE A VIXEN.
“ HAVE you ordered the carriage, J amesw -

“ Yes, Clara; and it will be round in a.
few minutes. I hope that little Coral will be
to us what her mother was before he came and
took her away from the old home,” replied
James Elthorp, with an audible sigh, which
was echoed by the lady, who said, “I sincere—
ly trust she may, for we are very lonely. you
and I, when Pierce is at college. I feel sure
I shall love her precious little mother-less
girl. I long to see her; she’s sure to belike

 

2 A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

her dear mother, with her deep, laughing

blue eyes and sunny hair, and her merry

laugh. It seems only yesterday that I was

listening to her, as she would say, coaxing-

ly, ‘Darling old goody, don’t be angry with

Lille; she is so sorry and will never offend
again—not till the next time ’——and then van<
ish like a sunbeam before 1 could catch her.
And now she lies far away from those who
loved her so dearly!”

And the tears dropped gently on the rose-
bud she was working on a satin screen, as
she sat conjuring up days that had passed,

' and the image of the dear one who had never
been forgotten, but whose memory would
last as the sweet perfume of a faded rose.
James Elthorp left the room to drive to
the station, not caring to remain to listen to
his sister’s retrospections, his wounds being
too deep to bear probing even by her from
whom he had 'never been separated since
their childhood.
She had remained with him during his
short wedded life, and when his oung wife
had drooped and died, took little ierce,‘ and
became a second mother to the boy, sacrific-
ing herself lovingly and faithfully, and refus-
ing many brilliant offers of marriage.
She and her brother had loved the gentle
but willful Effie, who had married against
’ their wishes, sacrificing herself for love, and
accompanying her husband south only to die,
and to be buried beside him—victims to that
fell scourge, yellow fever—ins, quiet church-

ard in Cuba, under the shade of palm trees,
caving an only child to their care.

Many a gentle sigh did Miss Elthorp heave
as she sat in the stately drawing-room, con-
juring up pictures of the child who was
coming home to the sheltering roof of E1-
thorp, to take the place of her dear mother,
and to bring sunshine into hearts that were
sorrowing for the lost one.

She looked round with an expression of
pride at the magnificence of the apartment,
and thanked Heaven that the little orphan
would have every comfort and luxury to con-
sole her in her bereavement.

The room was a very cheerful one, with
large windows opening into the garden, and
100 ing out on the broad emerald expanse of
lawn, bordered with glowing, starry flower-
beds, and several fine old trecs.

The soft summer breeze waved the zephyry
lace and stiff brocade curtains about, which
were tied back with massive bullion cord
tassels, and swept the floor in graceful folds,
like fretted foam crcsting cen billows.

Costly jars held choice owers and exotics,
which emitted a delicious perfume, that
stole upon the senses, steeping them in
dreamy languor on this hot, sultry July day.

’9

 

Putting aside her embroidery, Miss
Elthorp rose and approached the windows,
from which a delightful view of a lovely
landscape presented itself; country roads,
with high, rreen banks on either side,
crowned wit 1 hedges of locust and honey-
suckle, and rich the whole way down with
starry flowers and tangled luxurianee of
waving ferns, tall, flowering grasses, and
various large-leaved plants that ave an al-
most tropical effect to the vegetation.

“Let me see,” she murmured, as she
fanned herself with a bird of paradise fan;
“Coral must be uite ten years old. How
the time has passed1 i It seems but esterday
that her dear mother stood here and, told me
the sweet secret which brought rosy blushes
to her gentle face. Oh, my darling! my
sweet sister! how I loved you and begrudng
you the happiness which caused you to
share your heart’s affections with another!
Poor lost Effie!”

The sound of carriage-wheels broke her
reverie; and, looking along the drive, she
saw a bare, black head and a quaint, old-
fashioned, but childish face thrust out of the
window, with a pair of roving eyes drinking
in the scene.

“It is surely Corall”she exclaimed, ex-
citedly, as she flew to the door to welcome
the little stranger; and in her impatience
rushed out, and, seizing the little girl,
smothered her with kisses, receiving in return
angry remonstrances, accompanie by fran-
tic efforts to release herself.

James looked rather uncomfortable and
perplexed, while the nurse, 9. quadroon of
more than ordinary intelligence, addressed
some words to her fractious char e.

“Don’t be angry with aunt lare,” Miss
Elthorp pleaded, as she placed the refractory
Coral on her feet. “We must be great
friends. you know, my pet!"

Pushing the gentle creature from her with _.
all her might, the little girl cried, with blaz-
ing eyes:

“Go awa , nasty woman! You make
Coral hotl don’t like you, and I Want to
go back to the big ship and see the water!”

Leading her into the drawing-room, she
seated her on her lap, and gazed at_ the little,
spiteful face with a pained expression. of dis-
appointment, for she was not a bit like her
mother, and, beyond a pair of large, dark
eyes, there was nothing to redeem a single
feature. '

Her complexion was swarthy; a. mouth
large, with pouting, vermilion lips; a shock
head of blue-black hair, and a little figure all
an lcs.

. ames, in his courtly way, took the girl’s
brown band, and said: ,

 

A WILLFUL WIFE. I

 

“Welcome home, dear Coral! This lady
is your aunt Clara, and 1 am your uncle.
You have heard papa and mamma speak of
us, surely?”

Her only reply was a grimace as she sidled
down. In running to the nurse, she fell
over a footstool; and although not hurt, she
began to shriek with rage, and catching up
the offending stool, threw it with all her
force across the room, narrowly missing Mr.
Elthorp’s legs, who jumped aside only in
time, and it crashed through a glass panel of
one of the cabinets.

Having given vent to her temper in this
heroic Way, she hid behind her nurse, and
amused herself in peeping round and making
the ugliest t'aces imaginable at her relatives,
Who looked at each other in perplexity.

Approaching his sister, James said, in an
undertone: “ What do you think of her,
Clara? She is not so gentle or tractable as
we imagined, eh?"

“ 0h, brother, brother," the poor lady ex-
claimed, taking his hand, “ I‘m so miserablel
The dear little thing won’t say a word to me,
and will hardly let me touch her! She seems
to have taken a most extraordinary dislike
to me. It is dreadful, and I wanted to love

101' so!”

And she sobbcd over her disappointed
hopes.

At this moment, Coral shouted, in a tone
of terror: “ Here’s a boy!” and stared with
her wild eyes at Pierce Elthorp, who, havin
caught sight of the new-comers, hastenc
through the easement window, with a fish-
basket slung over his shoulder.

There was certainly nothing in the lads
appearance to cause any one alarm, for Na-
ture had been most lavish in her gifts of per-
sonal attractions. Fair, with flaxen hair
curling in waves over a fine intellectual fore-
head; brown, fearless, honest eyes; limbs
supple and straight; figure giving promise
of developing into manly symmetry—and
you have a. picture of an American youth
that any father or mother might well be
proud of.

Coral had entirely disappeared behind her
human rampart, eliciting from Pierce the
question: “Where is my little cousin? I
saw her face through the window; and]
say, hasn't there been a smash? Who did it,
papa?"

Peeping round, Coral cried, defiantly: “ I
did, boy! I hate you!”

And then the weird little spiteful face hid
itself; and the poor nurse. made a grimace of
pain, for she had received a severe pinch.

Goin toward her place of concealment,
he sai , coaxingly: “Come, cousin, won’t
you kiss me, and let me look at you? I See, I

 

have such a lot of pretty fish to show you;
and when we are good friends you and lwill
go fishing together.”

To coax her out, he held the fish-basket
close to where he could perceive a little
brown hand clinched viciously; when, rush-
ing out, she snatched the basket out of his
hand, and threw its slippery contents over
the tl‘oor, and clapped her hands and shrieked
with delight at sight of the struggling fish
and eels, which latter glided about like so
many serpents.

“0h, nurse, look at the snakes and the
pretty fish that nasty boy has brought!
Tome, let us catch them, and put the poor
things to bed!”

While Pierce stood rucfully, and her uncle
and aunt were quite aghast at the mischief
this elf had created, she caught a perch,
which prickcd her finger with its spiky finI
and slipped out of her hand; whereupon she
commenced to jump upon the oflender,
giving vent to her rage in English and
Creole-French, looking like a little demon,
with flashing eyes, disordered hair, and pas-
sionate face, her whole frame literally quiv-
ering with rage.

Snatching her up, the nurse carried her
out into the corridor. She struggled and
screamed lustily, and slapped the poor wo-
man’s face unmereifully.

James coughed nervously, and looked at
his sister, who said nothing, but sat in a state
of mental excitement bordering on frenzy,
fanning herself.

"She wants a good thrashing,” blurted
out Pierce. “ She’s a regular little cub, and
wants it taken out of her—little snitfirel”

Coral’s screams ceased suddenly, and she
exclaimed, in a voice hoarse with passion,
“ I hate you, nasty white boy! You shall
not be my cousin. That wicked old man is
ugly. The lady isn’t as nice as my mamma,
andeon’t stop here to be teased. Why
isn't there any nice black people? I like
them. They give me sweetmeats, and let
me smoke their hubble-bubbles."

Holding up her hands in horror. Miss E1-

thorp exclaimed, “Brother, did you ever
hear anything so dreadful? Why, the child
actually smokes! What are we to do with
her?”

” Pack her off to some school at once, or
the house will be wrecked, and the whole
place demoralized. She's made a pretty
bother already. But there! I declare I
ought to be ashamed of myself, Clara, for
being cross with poor Ellie’s child before she
has been in the house an hour. She may
break everything if she likes; but I won’t be
an ry with her again.”

While Pierce replaced the fish in his

 

 

4 A “'ILLFUL WIFE.

 

basket, grumbling over the mess the “little
monkey ” had made, his aunt went to Coral,
and managed to soothe her into a state of
obedience, simply because she was exhausted,
and could not gather strength enough for
another battle; and, to the great relief of
everybody, she allowed herself to be carried
'ap-stairs and laid in her bed, on which she
sunk to sleep, while her aunt sat beside her,
forming plans for her reformation.

Afew hours later she stole down-stairs
during the nurse‘s absence, and seeing the
door of a conservatory open, entered, and
was soon reveling With delight in this iloral
treasure-house.

Here she was found by Pierce, who stole
in softly, and could hardly believe that she
was the same child of a few hours ago. ller
face wore a softened expression, and her
eyes Were feasting themselves upon a cluster
of orgeous crimson azaleas.

lucking a spray from the plant, he of-
fered it to her, saying, “Coral, will you
have these?”

“Yes,” she replied, as she snatched them
somewhat rudely out of his hand, but smil-
ing her thanks. "I love flowers, boy: and
Coral w'on’t call you nasty if you give her
plent l”

She at once buried her little brown face in
the glorious flowers, and seemed lost to his
presence in the great delight she experi-
enced.

Stealing closer to him, she asked, “Did

ou bring these in a big ship for me, boy?
{1y garden had plenty. Once a great big
cobra wanted to steal them, but Pompey
killed it with a big stick.”

Then, before he could reply, she asked
another question with earnest abruptnc‘ss.

“ Boy, can you ride?"

“Horses, do you mean, Coral?”

“Yes, you great stupid! of course.”

“I can. We have some ponies in the
meadow; would you like to come with me
to see them?”

“Yes; come on! Can you run?_ Boys
are good for nothing except to tease g1rls!”

He said nothing in reply to this contemp-
tuous remark, but thought that she was one
of the rudest young ladies he had ever
met or spoken to, and also one of the plain-
est.

As soon as they were outside in the
grounds, she cried, “Now, then,_ boy, I’ll
race you to that big treel Start fairl—ol‘f l‘

To humor her, he began to run, gently at
first; but it was all he could do at last to
kee pace with the fleet-footed elfin, who
ma 6 the race a neck-and-neck alien, and
was not so blown at the finish as he was.

“This beats all!” he thought. “ I wonder

 

what she will be up to next? If she were
not so rude, she would be rather jolly.”

Close by was a line winter apple-tree, full
of fruit; and to his astonishment she ran to
it, and began climbing up it, and with the
agility of a monkey, laughing gleefully as
she reached the branches, and making gri-
maces at him in reply to his appeals to come
down.

“ Uncle will be so angry,” he said, at last,
“if you pick those apples. Come down,
like a good girl i”

“ Sha’n‘t, boy! Go away, or I’ll pelt youl
I always do as i like! How dare you speak
to me?”

This question was accompanied by an
apple, which struck Pierce on the cheek,
and made it smart.

“You great, rude tomboy!” he shouted,
wrathfully; “you ought to be ashamed of
yourself, you—”

But his remarks were cut short by his re-
ceiving a blow from another apple right on
the tip of his nose; and then commenced
quite a shower of apple-pellets, she laughing
heartily, and he trying to dodge the missiles,
though inefiectually, for her aim was very
accurate.

In a perfect rage now, he cried:

“If you were a boy, I would thrash you,
Coral! Come down this instant, or I will
fetch my father!"

“ DOn‘t care, you nasty, s iteful boy! Get
away, or I’ll come down an bite you, like I
do nurse when she‘s naughty! See, I’ve got
sharp teeth!"

And she opened her mouth, disclosing two
rows of these offensive weapons, much to his
disgust.

lle turned away, determined to bring her
to justice, and grumbled all the way along at
having such a tiresome cousin thrust upon
him.

“Tell-tale tit! — cry-bah ! — long-cared
monkey! Go away; Coral on’t want you.

She tasted an apple, and not finding it to
her liking, threw it away, and descended the
tree, there being no further fun for her now
that Pierce had been driven 011'.

She espied the meadow, where two young
thoroughbred colts were grazing peacefully
enough, little dreaming that a mischievous
sprite was approaching to invade the privacy
of their domain.

Coral clambcrcd over the fence, and select-
ing the stron est of the two, caught hold of
its mane, an was soon seated astridc upon
its back, urging it, with heels, and voice, and
hands, into a. gallop, in which she succeeded
just as her uncle and Pierce appeared in
sight, with Miss Elthorp bringing up the
rear. . . .

\

 

 

 

‘fan her with an enormous fan, looking at her

A WILLFUL WIFE. ‘ V 5

 

" The dear child will be killed, brother," i “Fat; man, where‘s my sweet potato and
exclaimed Miss Elthorp, in terror. “What hoe»cake?”
shall we do? How dreadful! Look at her Mr. Elthorp coughed nervously and looked
laughing! lam sure she must be mad! Oh, askance at the questioner, while Miss El-
dear, oh, (learl Now there‘s the other pony thorp upraised her hand, and said, admon-
galloping too. Make haste, James, and save ishingly:
her!” i “ Hush; Corall”

But Coral was in no danger, and was am And the butler, not likin the allusion to
joying herself to her heart's content. IIer his obesity, looked red an confused, and
face beamed with pleasure, and her eyes glared surreptitiously at the audacious
danced with fun, while she sat as steady as a. child, whose conduct was certainly very
rock, her figure a little bent, and her bare trying to one‘s temper and patience, as
legs dangling like brown saplings, and her no one could forecast what would happen
hair streaming down her back like a mane. 1 next.

“Coral, my love!” said her aunt, persua-‘ As her imperious demand was not in-
sively, “come to me, dear; I have such stantly complied with, she kicked and
pretty things to show you." pushedN and at last swept a dish of savory

“ Go away!” shouted the rebel, as she sped omelettes off the table, the unfortunate dish
on her wild career, round and round the being accompanied by glasses, knives, forks,
field: both colts galloping their hardest, and and a cruet, which, in its fall, let loose the
evidently enjoying the sport as much as she top of the pepper-caster, the contents of
did. - ' which floated about the room, and soon

in vain Mr. Elthorp exhausted all his stock made everybody uncomfortable, Mr. Elthorp
of coaxing. She was obdurate, and would being attacked by a fit of sneezing, which
not be charmed from her position, much to soon also affected the others, though in a les-
his annoyance and his sister‘s alarm. ser degree.

“ I will see what I can do,” cried Pierce, It ended in her being taken from the table
as he ran back to the house, and gathering by main force, and certainly no one was
some flowers from the conservatory, returned . sorry when the door closed upon her impish
with them in breathless haste, saying, as he face and struggling form.
held them up to her view, “ See, Coral, there A council of war was held, and James
are more pretty flowers for you; won‘t you strongly advocated that the dreadful child
come and take them?” should be sent to school forthwith; but his

“Wait a minute, boy, I‘ll come. Why more tender-hearted sister pleaded for yet
don’t you ride the other pony? 1’11 teach another chance, promising, with many fore-
*ou.” bodings of failure, that she would undertake

Mr. Elthorp was fain to smile at this rebel- , to reduce the rude, refractory child to obedi-
lious niece, who had come all the way from , once,

Cuba to tease and w0rry the Whole house- I But the climax was reached next morning.
hold. Among Coral’s belongings was a pet

At last she alighted, and climbing the 1 monkey, which she hadnamed Sitaun (devil),
fence, took the flowers, but refused to be t and the creature being a great pet of hers
caught in her aunt’s arms, darting away , S110 smuggled it into her room and allowed it
from her like a sunbeam, and running to her ‘ to share her bed. ,
nurse to show her the flowers. Eager to salute the sleeping innocent, Miss

But another severe trial was in store for Elthorp stole noiselessly into the chamber at
Miss Elthorp‘s already outraged relatives, and ; early morn, and, stooping over the sleeping
one far worse than any that had happened ; child, was horrified to see the grinning face

et. 1 of the monkey pop up like a jack-in-a-box,

The bell rung for dinner. The household ; and to feel a hairy paw clutch her nose in
were to dine en famille, no guests being play.
present, and Coral, looking neat, but not at Shriek after shriek resounded through the
all prepossessing, was seated next to her I mansion, and Miss Elthorp was taken from
aunt, her nurse standing behind her chair to the room in strong hysteries.
This decided Coral’s fate, and within a
troublesome mistress with all the solicitude ‘ week she was sent to New York to school.
and tenderness of a mother, although she , much to the relief of everybody, even to that
bore about her person convincing proofs that J, of Pierce, who, full of refinement himself
she was not beloved in return.

Mr. Elthorp, with grave mien and digni-
fied manner, began to say grace, when. turn-
ing to the portly butler, Coral said, pet-l
tishly:

 

 

!

had imbibed a strong prejudice against his
uncouth cousin, whose elflsh appearancequ
ther increased his distaste.

—-——‘q

 

 

 

0' ' ' A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

CHAPTER II.
A soman BRIDAL.

SEVEN years have elapsed since Coral was
first introduced to the reader. Uncventful
years these, with nothing of more than pass-
ing interest to recommend them to notice.

Home Elthorp was studying at Harvard,
and gave great promise of becoming a thor-
ough scholarly man, of refined tastes and of
staid manner, capable, however, of great and
absorbing passion when once the phlegmatic
crust of his nature was broken through.

All this time he had seen very little of
Coral, with whom he corresponded but sel-
dom, and for whom, in a lesser degree, there
existed in his mind the same distaste he had
felt for her that first Week of their meet-
JD .
a sad blow was about to fall upon the
house of Elthorp. Mr. Elthorp, its head,
was stricken with a fatal illness, and a. hasty
summons was dispatched to his son to attend
his dying bed.

Coral Was also sent for to meet her uncle
before he went on' that last journey—that
bourn whence no traveler returns.

A silence as of death had crept into the
house, where servants moved noiselessly
about and spoke with bated breath, as if pay-
ing awed homage to that all-conquering
king, death, Whose sable scepter had been
extended over Elthorp, and who defied hu-
man skill to snatch the victim from his icy
grasp.

Even nature was in keeping with the sad
scene—the approaching dissolution of body
and soul; for the trees were bare and the wind
moaned and wailed, and scattered the with-
ered leaves about, its chilly breath making
the birds shiver: and proclaimed that winter,
that fell destroyer, who dooms inanimate
nature to death, was at hand.

In a. spacious chamber Mr. Elthorp lay
upon a couch, his head propped with pil-
lows, his faee wan and iinehed with suffer-
ing, and blanched to he whiteness of the
snowy linen.

“I can think of nothing better,” he said to
his sister. “ Coral will find not only a bus-
band but a friend in Pierce, and their united
fortunes will enable them to uphold the dig-
nity of the name of Elthorp.” _

“ But, brother, dear, do you think It
would be quite wise to influence such‘ a boy
and girl to take a final step which might be
productive of unhappiness? Pierce has
evinced an thing but warm affection for lns
cousin, End’shc is but a child still, although
greatly improved by education and judicious
training.”

“ It was her mother's dying wish, Clara,
as it is mine also. If Pierce says no, I will
not attempt to force; but it would make me

 

happy to see them man and wife before I de-
part this life.”

"Perhaps you are right, dear brotherl"
she said, with a sigh. “But I wish 1 was

[going instead of you, for you are more

needed on earth than I, who am but a weak
woman, unable to guide or direct the strong,
willful natures of youth.”

The sound of carriage-wheels put an end
to this strange conversation, and Pierce El-
thorp was soon kneeling beside his father,
whose hand rested lovingly on his bowod
head with pride as he saw how much his
boy had improved.

When the young man’s emotion had sub-
sided, his father beekoned him to achair,
and taking his hand, which was warm with
health and strength, in his own clammy
grasp, he said:

“ M son, I have a request to make of you,
and i you can comply with it I shall die
happy.” -

“Dear father," he replied, “whatever it
is, it shall be carried out; but perhaps you
may yet be spared to us. Why should you
leave us? lt will break my heart, for you
have been both father and mother to me ever
since she (lied, and left me a helpless infant
on your hands! Would that i could die for
you, my father! Oh, my father!”

And he lifted up his voice and wept such
tears as only strong men can shed, and
which come from the very soul itself, rack-
ing the frame with agony, and scorching
the brain, as if seared with hot iron.

“My sands are running out fast, Pierce,
and we must submit, we who have to go,
and you who remain, to the decrees of
nature.” ~

Miss Elthorp had stolen softly from the
room, leaving these two to open their hearts
to each other in a way they had never done
before. It is strange how secrets of love
and affection, a whole treasure-house of de~
votion, is laid bare at such times as these.

Mr. Elthorp had never been very de-
monstrative in his affection to his son, and
although invariably kind, had been also a
little stern, fearing lest too great a display of
affection might make the lad a milksop.

But now that the hour of parting was at
hand, he showed him his whole heart, and
Pierce saw what depths of love were there,
and what a true friend he had been to him
throughout his life, which was now blossom-
ing into the flower of manhood, and was to
bear fruit—perchance grapes or thistles.

After a silent pause, during which the
father scanned his son’s face narrowly, as if
to search his inmost heart and the workings
of his mind—to plumb, as it were, the springs
of obedience to his parental will, he said:
“ Coral is an orphan, my sister’s child, and

 

 

A WILLFUL WIFE. 7

 

your cousin. Itis the dearest wish of my heart
to see you united to her before 1 die. She is

calthy, and, although a little wayward and
headstrong, is a good girl, and would make
you an excellent wife.”

“ Marry Coral!” exclaimed Pierce, with a
start and a shudder of aversion.

“Yes, I have sent for her, and wish the
ceremony to take place in this room, in my
presence. Her mother wished it, and I ap-
prove. Speak, boy, and tell me if I may
rely upon your loving acquiescence!”

But Pierce was too dazed by the unex-
pec{.ed request to be able for the moment to
rep .

Hid his father asked him to do the hardest
thing possible, to travel round the earth in
search of the philosopher’s stone, or 'to do
any other such Quixotic thing, he could not
have been more surprised and astonished
than he was by the proposal to make Coral
his wife; to be her companion in the years
to come; to give up his very life to her; to
surrender himself completely, as a devoted
husband should; and to swear to love and
cherish her in sickness and in health, in pov-
erty, in wealth, until death should dissolve
the compact.

No thought of love had as yet entered his
heart for a single being outside the circle of
his home. He was cold, almost disdaiuful,
to the Women he met, because they could not
touch his heart; and to Coral he was affec-
tionate only conventionally, because she was
his cousin, and he had to obey the unwritten
laws of society, which are as unalterable as
those of the Mech and Persians.

He conjured up the picture of Coral before
his mind's e e as he had first seen her, with
her spitefu dark face, angry eyes, and
shrieking, turbulent voice—a picture which
had never lost its impression through inter-
vening year—and he could not bring to his
recollection a single good point in her favor.

And yet he was asked to sacrifice himself
for her upon the altar of family convenience;
to give up the freedom so sweet to a youngr
man just entering upon life, with the world
at his feet, and brilliant prospects to tempt
him on to win fame and distinction.

But yet filial obedience demanded that he
should comply, and he said:

“Your wish, dear father, shall be sacred
to me. I can on] hope that the matter will
turn out as happin as you could desire.” .

Perceiving that there was no warmth in
his tone, and that he spoke coldly, Mr. El-
thor said:

“ ierce, is there any reason why on
should not marry Coral? Are your a co-
tious engaged elsewhere? Pardon the ques-
tion; but 1 do not wish you to prove false to

 

love’s instinct, or to break vows which have
been made to another."

“There is nothing, dear father; but I
must tell you truthfully that I do not love
my cousin.”

“ N either did I your mother at first; but
it grew upon me, as it will upon you, Pierce.
Coral is much improved, and, take my word
for it, you will yet be proud of her. She is
little more than a hoyden now, with both
mind and body unformed, undeveloped; but
I can see in her traces of rare beauty and
signs of a loving heart, which, if subdued by
love, would prove capable of the reatest
devotion. She is an uncut diamon , want-
ing but the polish which will come from
society to turn out a gem of the first water.”

“I would, dear father, that you should
ask of me anything but this sacrifice. My
future happiness is at stake, and in my
cousin I can see nothing to love or admire.
She is volatile, passionate, impulsive, and
has every trait that I dislike—nay, detest.”

“ You, my dear boy, are prejudiced. The
girl is like an untrained filly that has never

elt the curbing influence of love or affec-
tion. Remember, too, that she was born
under a Southern sun, and cannot possibly
be as cold and phlegmatic as some of our
Northern girls are. Of course. I do not
wish you to make this sacrifice blindly. In
a few years she will develop into a beautiful
woman, and will have men at her feet; for,
in addition to great promise of beauty, she
possesses immense wealth, and will be a rare
prize to win. I am not sordid or mercenary
in my views for your welfare; but my dear-
est wish is to see you Coral’s husband, and
as I lie here dying something tells me it will
conduce to your future happiness, or, be-
lieve me, my dear son, I would not urge this
step upon you at a time when I am about to
leave you forever.” .

“Father, say no more; I will obey you.
Will that please on?” bending over the suf-
terer’s couch an kissin the cold forehead,
damp with the dews of death that stole over
his face.

A pleased smile broke over his counte-
nance as he said feebly, the effort of talking
having been almost too much for his waning
strength, “Dear Pierce, ou have made me
very happy, and I pray eaven to bless you
both. The hopes of our houses are centered
in you. Remember that. And you must
strive to kee its old prestige untarnished.”

“I will, ear father. f will try my ut-
most.”

And father and son clasped hands, when a
silence ensued which was unbroken save by
the low murmur of an earnest prayer from
the dying man.

 

    

    

O A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

Coral, during the interview between father
and son, was pacing the drawing-room like
a caged panther, having only arrived at El-
thorp within the hour, utteringimpatient ex-
clamations over the delay in being admitted
to the presence of her uncle.

“Wh doesn’t he make haste? He is so
slow! nd, oh, my heart is sore at the
thou ht of his having the first place! Oh,
m (fiaar, dear uncle, can nothing save you?

by am I so helpless, I who love you so
dear] , and would die if it would save you?"

“ oral, my darling,” her aunt said, “ try
and be calm! Remember that Pierce has
only just come, and that your dear uncle has
much to talk to him about that will prove of
interest to you eventually. Come here, child!
You will soon be a woman now. Have you
ever thought of marriage?”

“Marriage?—no, aunt. Wh should I?
I dislike men. They are so scl sh. I never
saw a man that I thought worthy of the
name except my dear father and uncle: and
now he is about to leave me. Oh, why should
all I love be snatched from me?—mothcr,
father, and now him who has been_so loving,
so kind to inc—me, a wayward, good-for-
nothing girl!”

“Come, come, Coral, lovel
Submit to the decrees of fate!
you love your cousin Pierce ‘1”

“ Yes, a little; but he writes such stupid
letters about propriety and so on, and never
says anything loving or kind, like you and
dear uncle.”

“ But he is so much younger, and perhaps
sees ou in a difierent light to what we do,
you now.”

“ But wh should he set himself up as m

mentor? 1 e is but a ver little older than ,
and cannot be so wonderd’illy wise, although
he has always pretended to be ever since I
can remember him.”
‘ “ You will think better of him when you
see more of him; he is very lovable, and
kindness itself: and I think there is no one
to equal him." Then seeing a frown on
Coral‘s face, caused by her praises of l’iercc,
she hastened to add, “Just as in my opinion
there is no one half so good as you, my
darling, in spite of your little impetuous
ways. Come, kiss me, and promise to be
the best of friends with your cousin, and do
all you can to console him in his coming
orrow."

Further conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of Pierce, who came forward
and shook hands with Coral, and pressed his
lips to her forehead with a cold courtesy that

No rcpininn‘l
Tell me, do

 

stun her, saying:

“ ear cousin, my father would like to see
you now; come.” '

This, as he offered her his arm, and con-

P.

ducted her into the sick-chamber, where the
sight of her uncle—his face pale, his eyes
dim, and his whole appearance so changed
that she hardly knew him—gave her such a.
shock that she burst into tears and was sub-
dued, all her impatience and impetuosily
vanishing before the presence of the grim,
mysterious enemy men call death.

“Is that you, Coral?” asked her uncle,
putting out his hand to feel for her, his eye-
sight having almost failcd him. “ Don’t
cry, child. You have been a comfort to rue,
my dear, and I hope you and Pierce will
keep up the credit of the old house when I
am gone."

“Dear uncle, if you leave me,” she sobbed,
“I shall not live: you and aunt are the
only two persons in all the world who under-
stand me, or can sympathize with my faiL
ings. Oh, don’t go and leave poor Coral all
alone in the world!”

This as she caught his hand, and kissed it
passionately, bedewin it with her tears, as
Pierce, great] move by her outburst of
sorrow, turne and left the room, half-recon-
ciled to the thought of makimr her his wife;
for, after all, he saw she had a heart that
could feel.

“ Coral," said her uncle, “ I want to say a
few words on a subject very dear to my
heart, and which concerns the future of your-
self and Pierce. Do you think you could
love him and become his wife?”

“l’icrce’s wife, uncle?” she stammered.

“ Yes; you will want a protector, and will
find one in him, child.”

“But perhaps he does not love me as I
wish to be loved, uncle! He appears so
cold, and treats me with a studied courtesy I
cannot bear.”

“ Child, you are yet too young to under-
stand what is best or you. Pierce cannot
help loving you. He is willing to make you
his wife; and surely, Coral, you could‘not
wish for a better husband than my son. Be-
sides, your dear mother wished this marriage
to take place. Your fortune will be settled
on yourself, and you will live at dear old
Elthorp, and think sometimes of your poor
old uncle, who loved you both so well. Had
Ibeen spared to live a few years longer, I

should not have mooted the subject until you
had both learned to love each other; but now,
in the presence of death, I am compelled to
speak, or forever hold my tongue.”

Impressed by the solemnity of his words
and the revelation of her mother’s wish, heard
for the first time, she said, gently:

“ Dear uncle, I will obey you and my dear
mother in this; but, oh, I should have liked
to be free to know my own heart, for indeed
I feel no love for any man. and perhaps it is
wrong to marry without loving. I am but

\

 

 

A WILLFUL WIFE;

     

 

a child, and it may be in years to come,
Pierce will blame me for agreeing to this.
IIis nature and mine are so unlike. I am a
madca , and suppose I shall always continue
one. ut if I marry him, I shall try to be
less willful, for your sake, and a good wife
to him.”

“ God‘bless you for those words, my dear
child! I shall die happy! And now leave
me ; I feel I can sleep.”

 

CHAPTER III.
STRANGE NUPTIALS.

IT was evening, and the autumn gleaming
was shrouded in misty rain, which swept
against the window-panes and on the roof,
while the wind whistlcd, and anon wailed
plaintively, as if moaning the departure of
summer.

And in that sick-chamber, in the grand
old mansion of Elthorp, a strange scene was
being enacted.

A bride and bridegroom stood near the
bedside of the (1 ing, and a minister, feeling
the solemnity o the occasion, was reading
the marriage-service in accents awed by the
awful presence of death.

The responses were said softly, as if to
avoid disturbing the sufferer, who joined in
the prayers, and whose “Amen!” was fer-
vent if uttered feebly.

Coral was pale, but self-possessed, and her
glorious eyes shone like jewels in the dim
religious light pervading the room.

She looked like a white-robed statue,
standing there so motionless—the gentle
heaving of her bosom and the soft murmur-
ing of her voice being the only indications
that she was a sentient being—that she was
not marble, but flesh and blood, endowed
with passions—a woman, standing upon the
threshold of a new life, with its attendant
responsibilities, its temptations and trials, its
triumphs and failures, all to come.

Her white drapery clung around her slim,
reed-like figure not ungracefully, and her
blue-black hair, dark as the raven's wing,
shone with additional luster through the
fleec texture of the bridal vail which fell to
her eet.

Her only ornament was a spray of white _
azaleas which nestled in her bosom, their
starry gleam relieving somewhat the paleness
of her face and the dead white of the lace!
dress. I,

No one who saw that delicate, fragile girl 3
would dream that under her quiet exterior.
there lay powerful impulses that were tot
color her whole future, for good or evil, or I
that she was a passion-flower transplanted
from the sunny South to bloom or wither ,
amid the cold, inhospitable climate of New

 

England; or whether the man who stood at her
side would have the power to sway her heart
and mold her to his will. ,

The benediction was given, and Pierce
Elthorp and Coral were man and wife, with-
out a word of love having passed between
them.

Taking a hand of each, the dying man,
over whose eyes the glaze of dissolutlon was
fast overspreading, murmured a blessin ,
and with a gentle sigh, and a flickerin sm' e
of happiness on his face, breathed his set.

 

The funeral is over and Pierce Eltho is
talking quietly and gravely to his girl-Wife,
and that in name only.

“You will return to New York to—ni ht,
Coral, to finish your education. I s all
write to you purely on business matters.
You are too sensible not to know that we did
not marry for love. I have expectations of
obtainintr a diplomatic post abroad: you are
my war-(I as well as my wife, and may rely
u on m lookin well after your interests.

on wil be rea y to start within the hour,
please. It will just give you time to catch
the night Express.”

“Pierce,” she said, you must not _ to
force my inclinations or bend my Wil to

ours. I am passionate, willful, and shall not

e dictated to in this cruel way! What if I
said I will not go? But have no fear. I
promised your father to curb my tern er,
and for his sake, and for that of my prl e, I '
shall return to school, but not simply be-
cause you demand it.” _ _

“ Coral, this to me?” he said, turning pale
with anger. _

“Yes, Pierce! Why not to you? Is it
kind so soon after the loss we have both en-
dured to send me away from Eltho ? can-
not you see that I wants. little time in which
to mourn for our dead?”

"'Sentiment, Coral, does no good. You
can work and study, and it will help to les-
sen your grief. I shall be obeyed!”

“0beyed!” she said, scornfull , ss_she
took the ring off her finger and! raw it at
his feet. “I will not wear the badge of
slavery any longer! Take it; it has given
me no pleasure to wear it!” _

“Coral, remember your romise to my
father!” he said, cold! , as _e stooped'and
picked up the ring. “ ou W1“. wear this as
my wife, and I claim your obedience. How
are you to take your place as mistress of
Elthorp, if ou are not fitted for the 0m-
tion? Sure y you would like to do cre it to
yourself and me? I will leave you to reflect
upon the matter. When you have come to
your senses on will find me‘in the library."

He turne away in anger, leaving er
with a heart that felt justly indignant to-

 

  

10

ward a husband that could thus treat her,
and who had not even kissed her but merely
saluted her cheek icily.

“ He hates me!" she thought. “ How fool-
ish I was to consent to marry him and how
wrong of him to have accepted the sacrifice!
But 1 will not show him that I feel hurt; he
shall never have that satisfaction.”

The bitterness of this trial, the humiliation
of it all, wounded her heart' sorely, and made
a woman of her before her time.

This cold, haughty man little dreamt of
the germs of pride and revenge he was sow-
ing in the girl’s heart, or he would not have
acted thus.

He bade her good-by at the station, and
raised his hat ceremoniously as the train
steamed out with Coral and her faithful old
nurse Dinah.

In years to come, when he sighed in vain
for one look of love, he remembered the wist-
ful face and large haunting eyes of his girl~
wife as she leaned out of the window, with a
bursting heart, that could have loved him
then so dearly if his prejudices had not
blinded him to her worth.

“ Coral, sun of my life, why do you weep
‘ for him? He is like do snow, an’ his cold-
ness will freeze your heart!" said the quad-
roon, as she drew Coral‘s head down to her
breast and tried to soothe her grief.

“My tears, Dinah, are not for him, but
for myself, because I have been a weak fool
to marry such a proud man. But he shall
not break my heart; no, 1 shall live to be
aven ed!"

“ es; an’ Dinah who loves you better
dan life, will nebber leave you. Some day
he will grovel at your feet for a smile. You
will be a queen among women!”

And the woman’s eyes flashed as she looked
at the weeping girl to whom she had been a
‘mother; faithful even unto death, willing to
lay down her very life for her dear sake.

Coral was back again at Madame Simon’s
establishment in New York, but her heart
was not so light as of old, for she mourned
trul the loss of her best friend, her late
uncfia, who had always been to her kindness
itself, and never denied her anything in
reason.

Somehow, the young feel sorrow more
acutely than their seniors, because their sensi-
bilities have not been blunted by contact
. with a cold, heartless, cynical world, but

are fresh and open, like the petals of flowers,
which, later on, are closed in by the artificial
covering which care, and sorrow, and strug-
gles weave round the.heart.

She could not understand why her hus-
band should not wish to have her with him
as his companion and friend; she had a

 

A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

shrewd suspicion that he could do more to
form her character by kind, loving words
than any one else.

“Finish m education, indeed!” she said I
’

with a toss of her head, as she sat in her
room, reading a letter she had just received
from Pierce Elthorp. ” He is always harp-
ing on that theme, and it gets wearisome. I
can sing, dance, play, know several lan-
guages, and have had deportment dinged
into me for several years, until I can now
enter and leave a room gracefully, Without
knocking over chairs, or stumbling over my
train, or doing anything outre. What more
does he want, unless, indeed. he intends me to
be a professor? A pretty husband he is, to keep
his wife at school! I am past seventeen, am
in long frocks, and am actually Mrs. Elthorpl
I declare I have half amind to run away,
and lead him a pretty dance; and I would,
too, if it were not for my dear. gentle old
love of an aunt, who would break her heart!
Even nurse says it is not right, and that I
ought to return with her to Cuba. Heighoi
what a thing it is to be a married woman and
a school-girl at the same time!" ,

But for all this tirade she kissed the letter,
because it came from dear old Elthorp; and
then, woman-like, cried over it until it was
time for her to dry her eyes and to go to her
studies, which were very distasteful to her
now.

Before she had removed all traces of tears
from her face there came a tap at the door,
and a girl of her own age entered, presenting
a perfect contrast in appearance to her, being
fair as a lily, with rich chestnut hair, petite
figure of exquisite symmetry; blue eyes of
shifty expression, vailed With dark, long
lashes that drooped; and the face of an
angel, such a one as a Raphael would like to
have painted; hands and feet fairy-like in
dimensions. Such was Bell Allingham,
Coral’s dearest friend and school-companion.

But despite her angelic. face there was an
expression of lurking deceit about the eyes,
that gave them a semi-sinister appearance
that was repellent until one had become ac-
customed to her.

“Why, Coral, whatever is the matter?
This is the third time I have caught you
in tears since your return, and goodness
knows how many more lachrymose fits you
have indulged in in secretl”

Throwing her arms around her friend’s
neck, Coral said, “I am ver miserable,
Bell] My husband is always ecturin me
about the proprieties. I don’t deserve it, do
I, dear? Just read this letter. Not a word
of love in it; and signs himself, ‘Your true
friendl’"

“ Why do you submit to it. Coral? You

     

  

A WILLFUL WIFE. 11

 

are a married woman, and can insist on your
rights, which are termed conjugal, I think. ”

“But what can I do?” asked Coral,
piteously.

“A lot. Get up a flirtation, and let him
hear of it through a well-meaning friend.
He would be sure to take you away from
here then. But what is this very strange
husband of yours like? Old, outy, jealous,
exacting—a regular modern luebcard? I
have noticed, as others have also, that
madame never loses sight of you now, but
plays the part of duenna to perfection—at
his instigation, I suppose.”

“ lie is quite the reverse of the picture
you have drawn of him, Bell. He is young,
very handsome, kind, but does not love me,
I fear. Now you know all. Us is coming
here soon, and, if you like, I will introduce
you to him.”

“Perhaps I shall fall in love with this
handsome husband of yours, and take him
oif your hands!” she remarked, with a laugh.
“But if I were you, I would outrage his
sense of propriety in every way, and show
him that I had a will of my own.”

“So I do, Bell; but it does no good; it
only imbitters him the more.”

“All the better. I have read somewhere
that anger, like fire, thaws ice. At all
events, it would show him that you had

. taken your education into'your own hands."

“Ah, it is easy to talk; but when a hus-
bandtreats your ebullitions of temper with
cold disdain, somehow one gets tired of the
experiment. ”

"You are a. regular little simpleton, and
quite deserve to be treated as you are! Now,
take my advice, and when he comes, sit awk-
wardly; act the hoyden; and if he does not
like light reading, ask his opinion about one
of the French novels of our secret library.

_ Pretend you smoke cigarettes, and oifer him

our box. Sing snatches of song from the
atest opera boufle. Tell him you think of
taking lessons in stage-dancing, and ask him
if there is any harm in a lad learning the
noble art of self-defense. 1ch upon it, he
will take you back with him by the next
train, and never lose sight of you afterward.
The rest will be an easy matter.”
“But he has such a horror of any of those

‘ things, and I believe that I offended his sus-

ceptibilities when I first met him, seven years
ago—a wild little madcap from Cuba. To
me he has always been cold and grave, but
ieiiy kind. He means Well, I am sure,
)0 .’)

“And he acts the reverse. Pluck up
heart, and give my plan a. trial. He can’t
eat you, you know, and you will still be his
wife, We will rehearse the part together—I,

 

the exacting husband; you, the rebellious
wife; and I shall yet see you in your proper
position.”

Coral‘could have had no worse adviser
than Bell; and, although her wild nature
longed for an opportunity to bring her hus-
band to his senses, she had a presentiment that,
the plot would not work well. '

But when has youth ever been prudent?—
that/ rarely comes till the hair is threaded
with silver, and sometimes not till it is quite
gray; to symbolize that the passions have
been shrouded with snow, and that the fire is
out, and nothing but ashes remain, smolden
ing, it may be, at times, but never warming
into reckless imprudence.

The day arrived at last when Pierce
Elthorp was to pay his promised visit to his
girl—wife; and, as ill-luck would have it,
Coral was not in the best of tempers, for
madame had spoken sharply to her about some
little fault, and she felt sulky and cross in
consequence.

Sometimes the slightest event will give a
coloring to one’s whole life, diverting it from
the broad channel of duty into the narrow
streamlets, where shallows, and rocks, and
quieksands abound.

Coral had meant to meet her husband in a.
submissive frame of mind; but this ett
annoyance turned her aside from this an -
able intention, and she became defiant, would
not dress beeomingly, or take the slightest
pains with her toilette; besides which, the
tempter, in the shape of Bell Allingham, was
at her elbow urging her to act toward him
with flagrant disobedience; when, if she had
trusted her own heart, she would have decked
herself with smiles, and donned her prettiest
costume in honor of the occasion, knowinw,
as she did. the fastidious tastes of the man‘
she had to meet.

“ Mr. Pierce Eithorp, miss,” said a foot-
man.

“Tell Mr. Elthorp I shall be with him’
presently,” she said, in a waspish tone,as she
went to her mirror, and looked at herself
with that spiteful expression her face had
worn when she first came to Elthorp.

“ I shall do,” she exelaimed. “Why should
I take pains with myself? He does not care
for me, and never will; thinks me a vulgar
madcap; I will keep up the character.”

When she met her husband, he simpl
shook hands with her, and saluted her chee
coldly; when, as if prompted by the Evil
One himself, she threw her arms around his
neck, and kissed him boisterously.

“That’s one of the finishin touches to
m education,” she said. “ erhaps you
Will become my pupil, and learn how to root
a wife who is notaschool-girl, Come, sit by

 

 

12 A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

me, and tell me all the news. First of all,
how is aunty‘l Next, how is dear Elthorp
looking? Lastly, how have you been spend-
in!r your time during my absence?”

Bhe placed a chair for him with a loud
crash that made him wince, and taking an-
other, seated herself, with her feet, which
were not elegantly shed, on a porcelain
stove, and tilted her chair with an abandon
that froze him with aversion; and then,
taking out a cigarette-case, said, with non-
ehalance:

“ Have one? You smoke, I presume?
Most men do; and ladies too nowadays, espe-
cially matrons.”

This in a, dignified tone that was most ex-
asperating.

“ Coral!” he said, coldly.

“Yes, Pierce. What’s the matter? Make
yourself at home. Come, what can I offer
you?—a B. and S. or wine? My pocket-
money will run to either, thanks to your liber-
ality, Mr. Elthorpl Have you brought me
anything nice? Why don‘t you speak? You
are really very provoking, and unaccustomed
evidently to the society of ladies.”

Here she gave the chair such a tilt that he
was compelled to save her from falling.

“Really, Coral,"he said, icily, “you seem
to have retrograded. I am very much an-
noyed at your levity.”

“ You don’t say so! I am at a loss to un-
derstand how that can be, as I am now fin-
ishing my education, and only require a few
more touches to make me perfect. At least,
that is what they say here. 1 don‘t mean in
the school, but outside in the world, where I
am much admired as I walk in tile with a
number of children. ‘A cat may look at a
king,’ you know; and the New York dudes
are very gallant, as a rule, to ladies.”

He shuddered visibly, and looked angrily
at her from out of his brown, grave eyes.

“And this is my wife!" he thought.
1‘ Heaven help me! how can I ever tolerate
her? She must be crazy, or worsel 1 really
hoped to see an improvement in her; but,
alas! she is more rough and hoydenish than
ever!”

Pierce was too much of a gentleman to re-
tort in words upon his wife, who certainly
was trying her utmost to vex him, and to
make herself more objectionable in his eyes
than ever.

Her dress was, to say the least, slovenly ; and

‘ her wealth of raven hair looked tangled and
frowsy, for she had intentionally neglected
her appearance, and had put on her most ill-
fitting dress to meet this severe critic than
whom there could not have been a men more
fastidious.

Looking at her as she lolled with imparti-
nent indolenee in that grand salon. with mir-

 

rors and bullion-fringed curtains and costly
carpets, and everything of refinement and
elegance, she certainly looked anything,
from a servant to an ill-bred parrmue, than
a lady bearing the name of one of the oldest
and proudest of New England families
Disgusted by her nonchalant disregard of
the proprieties, he turned from her with a
shrug, indicating that he thought her hope-
lessly incorrigible, and looked out at the win-
dow, which commanded a view of the small
but well-kept grounds, and his eyes rested
upon Bell Allingham, who seemed to tloat
before him, and looked as if she had just
stepped out of a picture with her fair, an-
gelic face and golden-tinted hair. Her
petite, graceful form and her exquisitely-
made toilette were perfect. She was the
model of elegance itself. Her face, too, was
wreathcd with sunny smiles, partly disclos-
ing teeth as white as pearls, and lips from
which a bee could have been tempted to ex-
tract sweets. A dainty little lady, full of
the grace and poetry of motion, a fairy about
whom the sunbeams flitted as if wooing her
smiles and caressing her soft rounded form.
Before he was aware of it, and while he
was contemplating this lovely-girl, Coral
stood by his side, and in a voice strained by
inward passion and resentment at his cold-
ness and treatment of her as a mere school-

girl whom he had come to visit and to‘

patronize, said:

“Oh, that is my dearest friend, Bell
Allingham. I want to introduce you to
her." ' And before he could reply she
tapped at the window in a. rude way, as he
thought, and beckoned her friend to her, ex-
claiming, loudly, “Well, Pierce, what are
you thinking about'that you do not open the
casement for my school-chum? If you
treat me as a naughty child who has ofiended

ou, please show_some gallantr to my
riend and step down off your pe estal and
be something more than marble. ’

“Good Heavens! What a. contrast!” he
thought, as Bell tripped in, bringing with
her the sweet breath of spring, and that sub-
tle charm of manner which captivated his
senses and made him draw comparisons not
at all flattering to Coral.

The usual introductory formula was one
through, and the dainty little lady stoo be-
fore him, her eyes cast shyly dOWn, as she
stole furtive glances at this handsome hus-
band of her friend.

She had on a tight-fitting black velvet
morning dress that clung to her form as if
molded to it, relieved only by rare lace
ruchings around the snow-white neck and
wrists. Her waist was clasped by a. silver
zone, in which was fastened a bunch of vio-
lets that emitted a sweet perfume. which

A WILLFU'L WIFE. 13

 

stole upon the senses and filled his mind
with thoughts and strange longings, which
did not escape the sharp glances of his wife,
whose eyes were fastened on his with an ex-
pression of jealous anger.

“He can admire her,” she thought, “and
greets her with smiles, while he treats me
with studied coldness and politeness.

“ I am very happy to meet afriend of Mrs.
Elthorp,” he said, courteously.

Looking up coyly, with eyes in whose
depths there lurked powers of dangerous
fascination, she replied, sweetly, her voice
being toned to the silver notes of a lute:

“ It is very good of you, Mr. Elthorp, to
say so; but I did not expect the pleasure of a
renewal of a very long friendship with Mrs.
Elthorp at school.”

This vailed sarcasm did not affect Pierce,
who was too charmed with his new acquaint-
ance to notice the pointed allusion to a matter
that had tilled many with astonishment.

Coral, however, was quick to perceive it,
and her temporary resentment against Bell
for having captivated her husband vanished
like mists before the sungand she became
almost amiable, and joined in the conversa-
tion with a vivacity that showed she was
possessed of brilliant conversational powers,
when she chose to exercise them.

But Pierce did not look fcr anything that
could charm him in his girl-wife, to whom
he did not address himself much, but ap-
peared bent upon drawing out the intellec-
tual side‘ of Bell’s character.

Presently they were joined by Madame
Simon, who could not help seeing how neg-
lectful Coral had been with her toilette, and,
as a Frenchwoman could not understand
why an American lady of wealth could dis-
play such indiiference in a matter of such
vital importance.

But Coral was an enigma to herself, and,
while full of loving impulses, was always
acting as if guided b a reckless disregard to
the sensibilities of o ers, particularly of her
husband. ,.

A recherche dejeuner was served in madame’s
private drawing-room; but Coral did not en-
joy herself, because Pierce wounded her
pride by showing more attention to others
than to her.

At this critical epoch in her oung life she
sorely needed a mother’s gui ance, a heart
to confide her sorrows to, a bosom upon

which to rest, a matured womanly judg-‘

ment to appeal to for loving sympathy and
advice. ‘

How many a life has been wrecked for the
want of this! How many natures, thrown
back u on themselves, have been soured and
warped) and stunted, because the craving for

 

l

affection and .tender solicitude has not been
satisfied!

Having obtained permission from madame,
he took the ladies for a drive through the
picturesque and romantic Central Park.

It was springtidc, and nature, like a love-
ly maiden, was putting forth virgin charms,
all softness and eoynoss, giving romise of
great beauty when flowers woul (leek her
broad bosom, and summer would ripen
corn and fruit, and make glad the heart of
man.

Trees were putting forth tender buds of
vernal green, and birds with their mates
sung love-ditties and awoke the echoes of
the charming place; and the sun, like a
jealous guardian, looked down upon the
scene, and with its rays dispelled the lurking
frost that lingered as if to blast with its icy
touch the delicate foliage and herbage.

Bell Allingham was quite as charmedwith
Pierce Elthorp as he was with her. Her
face was wreathed in sunny smiles, that
made her beauty quite dazzling, as she chat-
ted with this grave, proud, haughty man,
thawing the ice of his nature by her vivacity
and witty sallies; while Coral sat silent,
and drunk in the beauties of the scene, long-
ing to descend and look for wild flowers, to
roam alone, and be soothed and comforted
by: the voice of nature, which never appealed
to her in vain. *-

Bell was giving a description of the say-
ings and doings of the Russian Court, at
which her father, the Hon. James Ailing-
ham was embassador.

“What an odd coincidencel” remarked
Pierce. “I am daily expectin a diplomatic
ap ointment to that Court. presume you
wil shortly join your father at St. Peters-
burg, Miss Allingham?”

Coral said, impulsively, before her hus-
band could reply:

“ Any one can go there for me. It would
kill me, that land of eternal snow and ice.
I long to return to the Sunny South, where
the sun warms you into life, and Where aYe
rare flowers, and grand trees, and rivers and
mountains, that speak to my heart in a voice
that fills me with delight. Here, in the
North. you are all so cold and frigid, so con-
ventional, that really life is not worth liv-
ing—at least, that is my opinion.”

A slight frown settled on the handsome
face of Mr. Elthorp, as he replied, some-
what sternly: .

“Yonr‘opinions, Coral, are a little too
pronounced, and require toning down some-
what. A wife‘s place is With her hus-
band." V

“Then why do you leave me at school,
and treat me like a mere child? You seem

 

 

14 A- WILLFUL WIFE.

 

to forget that I am a woman now, and that
I wish to take my place in society as Mrs.
Elthorp "

Bell smiled at this passionate outburst, and
enjoyed the little scene, especially as she
could perceive that Pierce was very much
nettled.

“Mrs. Elthorp, I ,think it better that we
should not discuss the matter further at pres-
ent,” he replied, with freezing politeness.
“ When you—”

But Coral was not listening to him, for
she was watching a gaunt, powerful wo-
man, the wife of some day laborer, as with
clinched hands she beat a child unmereiful-
ly, uttering fierce oaths at every blow.

Standing up, Coral suddenly leaped out of
the carriage, and running forward, interposed
between the child and its brutal mother, ex-

«claiming, with eyes that scintillated with
wrath, “ How dare you ill-use a mere baby,
,you wretched creature? Strike me, if you
‘will; but you shall not lay another finger on
this childl”—snatching the little fellow up in
.her arms as she spoke, and confronting this
virago with a face aflame with anger, and a
look of resolution that quite awed the wo-
man.

Pierce alighted, and ordered Coral to put
the boy down.

“Really. Coral, this is too unseemly—too
unladylike, and tries my patience beyond en-
durance. Leave such people to settle their
own affairs.” '

Turning upon him, her splendid eyes
gleamin with scorn, she exclaimed passion-
ately, “ on are a man, and bid me act the
coward-"you, who would not allow, one of
your horses or dogs to be brutally treated!
And yet this child is to be beaten unmerci--
fully before my very'eyes, and you bid me
not to interfere because it is unseemly and
unladylike! But if I am your wife, I am no
slave, Mr. Elthorp, and will not obey you in
anything that the dictates of my heart tell

_dne is not right.” ,

“ When you are calmer I will reply. Please
give the child to its mother, and rejoin Miss
Allingham, who must feel shocked, at your
strange, impulsive behavior."

“ I do not care,” Coral replied haughtily.
“ In this matter I will consult nobody’s feel-
ings but my own.”

“ So it appears,” he said ironically; “ but
has the scene not lasted long enough to please
even you, Coral? Perhaps you would like to
enact the role of a oliceman, and take the
otfender into custo 5"? It would be a fitting
sequel, and make you sufficiently notorious
to please even your eccentric cravings.”

Putting the child down, she placed the
[contents of her pursein its grimy little hand,
and stoopinz, kissed its tear-stained face. ad-

 

juring its mother to act more kindly toward
it, and then re-entend the carriage and took
her seat by her husband's side.

" How different she looks!" thought Bell,
as she watched Coral’s face and dark eyes,
which sparkled like jewels, lighting up the
rich olive skin, under which the warm blood
of youth surged and tlu'obhed, quite trans-
forming their expression, and making her
appear a very Semiramide, an Eastern queen,
born to sway the hearts of men, and by her
indomitable will to subdue nations.

But Pierce was blinded by deep-rooted pre-
judice to the regal beauty of this Southern
girl-wife; and he fumed and fretted in secret
over her delinquencies, seeing only her tall,
supple form, hcr somewhat angular figure,
and the sharp curves of that passionate face,
a picture that he had first seen in the days of
his boyhood, and which had remained fixed
indelibly on his brain.

With great tact, Bell'Allinghan poured oil
on the troubled waters, and called up smiles
to Coral‘s face as she mimicked the facial
and grotesque contortions of their old danc-
ing-master; and even made Pierce good-
tempered again, and quite restored his
equanimity.

The girls looked forward with eager pleas-
ure to the approaching visit to the opera,
where Pierce was to escort them that even-
mg.

 

CHAPTER IV.
AN UNLOVED WIFE.

CORAL found it: a relief when her husband
left her for a short while, for somehow she
berran to feel dz'stmz't in his societ .

in the solitude of her own c amber she
surve ed herself in the mirror, and mur-
mure , “Why am I not as beautiful as Bell?
I am dark, and not a bit handsome, and he
likes fair women! Ah, me! I ask for bread,
and he gives me a stone, and will not see
that I could love him dearly—this cold,
proud man, with the face of an Adonis but
witha heart of marble! Oh, that I resem-
bled you, my darling mother, who was more
lovcl than even Bell! He would have
love me then, perhaps!”

As she soliloquized, her nurse entered
softly; and catching her in tears, drew her
head down until it rested in her lap, and
smoothing her sable tresses, said, “Pearl ob
my lifel—Dinah’s darlin’l Why are you so
sad? Tell your own mammy, in whose
arms you have rested ever since you came
into do world to brighten her life! Tell me,
my jewel! what can I do for on? . Dinah
has only one life, but she wrl lay it down
for her darlin’. Or if an one has offended
Efil’treasure, I know a herbs that will

A WILLFUL ‘VIFE. 15

 

Coral looked up into the dusky face which
brooded over her so lovingly, and said, with
an expression of terror, “Hush, Dinah! we
are among people Who do not understand
you. I am sad because he loves me not.
011, that I were fair, like a lily, with golden
hair, and alluring blue eyes, that caress and
win men, and do not flash upon them like
minel Is there no potion you can give me
to make me look beautiful in his e es?”

Framing the dark, pleading, Wistful face
in her hands, Dinah gazed intently at each
feature, and said, in a trembling voice:

“No, chile, 110! You want to look beauti-
ful in his eyes—dc cold Northern man who
owns you. Yes, owns you like do slave my
mudder was, an‘ who would bend you to his
wishes as a reed in de wind. W’at does he
care for your beauty .9 It matters not to him
how you look, but you are his, an’ must
obey his ebery word. But you are beauti-
ful, my chile; a million times more than do
girl ob de lily skin, who would level your
head to de dust if she could. Dey will find
it to their cost some day; others will lub

you—will worship you for your beauty, '

darlin’, w’en she will be faded an’ old. You
do not know your power, but you will yet

_ awaken to it, and so will he—your cold,

proud husband! He Will see you surrounded
by" worshipers, those who know an’ see you
for what you are, an’ who would gib their
libes just to kiss your han’. An’ he will wake
to it, an’ it will be too late—Dinah can tell!
Then you can return him do scorn he now
gibs you, an’ he will be as helpless in your
power as you now are in his. Only wait—
time will tell! Dinah speaks do truth to her
Chile—her beautiful (larlin’l"

As Dinah spoke, she listened with awe and
something was aroused within her—some-
thing womanly that had been sleeping—a
power that she possessed, but knew not how
to wield—a scepter that would enable her to
subdue and conquer, and to make men forget
reason, prudence, and, casting everything to
the winds, live only for her.

Coral had knelt down a child, impulsive,
passionate, but still a child. She rose, a
woman in whom the world would see asiren;
and woe be to that man over whom she
cared to cast her witcheries—he had better
never have been born. ~

“ You give me fresh heart, dear mammy,”
she said; “your words find an echo in my
breast. and do not mock the as empty
sounds. You tell me I am a child of beauty." I
feel, and now know it. Henceforth I will not
sue, but command, and will take my place

.among women, not fearing their rivalry.

You have ins ired me with an ambition to
rule men, an to make them feel that I can
mold them to my will.”

 

Then turning to her glass, she looked at
that emotional face of hers, and wondered
wh she had not seen in it what Dinah had
tol her of.

Sullen discontent had fled, and there was a
conscious expression of power in her eyes
and face that made her look regal and beauti-
ful—a beauty all its own, enhanced by those
full, rich, and exquisitely molded xvermilion
lips, that promised to the man she loved
sweet draughts of nectar that would satisfy,
but never satiate.

Girlhood had been swallowed up, and she '
was now a woman knowing her own worth,
and, with the knowledge, resolved not to be
relegated to past submission by the man who
had wounded her heart by his coldness and
indifference.

“ Come, Dinahl” she exclaimed, gayly;
“you will help me to dress. I am ugly in
my own eyes no longer, and will use art as
the handmaiden of beauty. Come, you have
given me, by your words, that delicious
draught of knowledge, for I am impatient to
appear before him looking my very best!"

No girl about to be launched on the sea of
a' Washington season could have been more
eager to bring out every good oint, or have
been induced by vanity and a esire‘ for ad-
miration to spend hours over her toilette,
deliberating over the cut of a robe, the set of

a jewel, or the style of her coiflure.

As a finish, she placed a spray of scarlet
azaleas in her braids, murmuring:

“ He gave me some of these when we first
met, andI have kept them locked away;
yet, though withered, they, speak to me of
that handsome, fair, boyish face, and of that
soft voice that was the first to subdue my

, wild nature, because it s oke of flowers,_

which I so dearly love. hese, though al-.
most scentless, give forth to me a delicious

fragrance, reminding me of my darlin mo-

ther, who always wore them, and my aby

fingers often played with them as they nestled

in her hair. Perhaps Pierce will be pleased

to see that I wear them to-night, and re-

member the time when he gave me a spray

just like these." '

She looked critically at herself for the last
time before descending to the parlor and saw
there, reflected in the mirror, a tall, elegant
girl, robed in silver-gray satin, adorned with
knots of black velvet and lace. .

Her neck and arms were nearly bare, and
the Warm-tinted olive skin shone through
the black rich vail that on] half concealed
iierkbust, whereathousand c rms seemed to

ur .

“ Shall I please him, mammy?” she asked,
confidently, as, she adjusted her train with a
coquettish air and a proud smile of approach.
ing triumph.

 

ILA:

~ L: n - :r‘

. languid indifference that caused her veins to

16 A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

"Who can say?” was the quiet reply.
“ Men leab the choicest flowers unplucked to
gather Weeds. But my chile is looking well,
and need not fear dat pale lily with the cun-
ning eyes. Beware ob her! She may yet
cross our path like a ser ent

“ hy, Dinah,” replie Coral, laughingly,

“ I declare you are jealous of my dear friend,
Bell! She a serpent, indeed! How can pas-
sion lurk under that angel face?”

“ An’ yet, in de sunny land ob your birth,
chile, you fine de deadlies’ snake coiled un-
der the faires’ trees and flowers, ready to
dart their fangs into your flesh. Dinah likes
not the doll; she can read her thoughts in
her face. Did you not see how she won your
husban’s smiles, that are yours by right?
Ah, chile, you will yet learn to suspect
where once you trusted!”

Coral laughed gayly at these forehodings,
and tripped I lightly out of the room; while
Dinah shook her head gravely, and mut-
tered: .

“She is born to pain and to make oders
suffer too. Dey do not understan’ my beau-
tiful chile, dese ‘cold, proud, disdainful
strangers, who (is sun refuses to shine on
like it does on us. She can pay back scorn
for scorn, hate for hate, an’ love as few
women can. Dinah sees it all; an’ some day
will teach dem a terrible lesson.”

Meanwhile Coral had entered the drawing-
room, where her husband was chatting, al-
most gayly, with Bell and Madame Simon.

0n seeing her, Bell exclaimed:

“ How charming you are looking to-night,
ma elm/rial Do you not think so, Mr. El-
thorp?"

. He turned and looked at her with an air of

In

tingle, and said:

“I am no judge, Miss Allingham; but I
certainly cannot say that those flowers be-
come her; they jar upon my taste!”

Coral stood like a statue, as if suddenly
turned to stone at the thought that he could
speak thus of her in the presence of others,
or call attention to her want of taste in wear-
ing flowers endeared to her by him and the
memory of the past.

She had come before him to triumph, and
he had ruthlessly thrust her down, stabbed
her to the heart through her affection, and
mocked at her want of taste.

And this was the man she had willingly
sacrificed herself to at the bidding of a dying
man!

Her very soul rose up indignantly, and
like a 1i htning flash that destro s in an in-
stant, s ‘e tore the spray from er hair and
tramlpled it under her foot, hissing out:

“ Coral, you know that we are not alone?”
Mr. Elthorp asked, with a frown at this, in
his opinion, unseemly conduct. “Will you
never learn to curb your petulance? I mean
no offense, and am sorry if I wounded your
feelings.”

“ Wounded!” she exclaimed, angrily.
“What else have you ever done? You are
kind to me as you would be to your horses
or dogs, forgetting that I am a human being,
‘With susceptibilities to be considered, and a
heart hungering for sympathy, not eternal
repi'oaches! You might have spared my feel-
ings by speaking to me in private. The
flowers you despised were prized by me be-
cause when I came to your home, an or ban
and a stranger, you gave me azaleas. h, it
is cruel to forget, and I wish again that I
were dead, sleeping beside my father and
mother!”

He looked thoroughly pale with anger, but
was too well bred to give vent to it in the
presence of others; and he now preserved at
pitying silence, such as out her to the heart,
for she wanted a vent for her pent-up feel-
ings, and he would not glve her further op-
portunity.

Bell turned to the window during the
short, passionate scene, wondering if Coral
really loved this man, and thinking that never
WOUld it come to pass that he could love her
in return; she so passionate and impul-
sive, so thoroughly reckless of the opinion of
others—he, grave, thou htful, refined, and
fastidious to a fault. s Well expect the
poles to meet as that these two should fuse
into one harmonious whole.

And et he could admire, as Bell Ailing-
ham had experienced; for even now, as she
looked her sympathy, he smiled on her, but
had only frowns for his girl-wife.

Madame Simon, though a strict discipli-
narian, had a soft spot in her heart for this
wayward, willful pupil of hers, and going
over to Coral, she kissed her, saying:

"Mr. Elthorp, you will pardon my dear
Coral. She is a credit to my establishment,
and has powers and capacities that will as-
tonish even you in time. I have always
found that her faults are of the head rather
than of the heart. A more loving, affection-
ate nature than hers does not exist; but she
requires coaxing, and can always be led, but
not driven.”

Whispering softly, madame added, for

:Coral’s ear alone: r

“ Say you are sorry, for you really were
at fault. It is paying me a poor compliment
to be so petulant.”

Coral really liked her preceptress, and will-
ingly complied with her request, and turnin

 

‘ ie there in the dust like my heart! 'Tis
cruel, unmanly, and I wish I were dead!”

to her husband, she said quietly, “ Pierce,
am sorry I gave way to temper! _ Am I for-

A WILLFUL WIFE. l7

 

glven?"—-accompanying this appeal with a
yearning look which ought to have melted
his heart.

Now was the time for each to learn how to
bear and forbear, how to understand and
make allowances for each otlier’s failings,
and to be drawn together in a bond of aiIcc-

. tion, if not of love.

But he allowed the golden moment to pass,
and although he sai , “ Yes, pray say no
more!” he really had not forgiven or forgot-

ten; for it annoyed him that she should be .

such a contrast in speech and deportment to
Bell, who was his beau ideal of what a. lady
should be.

Like most young men who marry early,
before reason has tempered judgment, and
experience toned down preconceived notions
imbibed at college or from near associations,
he started with the idea that he was a perfect
Solon in every matter pertaining to a wife’s
duty—could choose her dresses, her amuse-
ments, and subdue her to his will thoroughly;
in fact, his wife was to be docile, quiet, gen-
tle, and never make herself notorious in any-
thing she did, but was to be always cheerful
and greet him with smiles, and lie—what no
woman has ever et been—mere clay in his
hands, to be mol ed as he wished.

He was to shine like a planet; she as a
satellite, borrowing luster from him.

His aunt Clara was another of his models;
but he forgot that hers was a nature to lean
upon others, especially on those she loved,
and that she had sacrificed and eifaced her-
self for the sake of him and his deadfather.

“I suppose I must bear it,” Coral thought,
as she looked at her husband. “ I love him,
in spite of all.
heart, he would find his image reflected
there. I dare not tell him of this; he would
only repulse me and say it was bad form.
Oh, for somethin to love that would turn
and caress me! ’ghen how happy I should
be! And now I am so miserable! How will
it all end? It will kill me—t‘his canker-worm

of cold indifference—this grave politeness,‘

which gnaws at my very heart, and freezes
its impulses! Why did We ever meet, to wed
and lead so unhappy a life—ever apart?”

Bell was furtively scrutinizing Coral’s
face, and saw there a look of vexation, and
fearing another outburst, which would spoil
their evening’s amusement, hastened to say,
as she took a delicate white rose from a
spray she wore in her bosom:

“Dear Coral, accept this, and let it re- .

place those poor unfortunate azaleas: It will
contrast so nicely with your dark hair, and I
am sure your husband would like it. May I
ad'ust it, dear?”

oral glanced furtively at her grand seim .

nor, and seeing his smile of approval. replied,

 

If he could but see into my :

 

meaningly, as she watched the effect of her
words upon him:

“Those who love me could never ratify
me more than by giving me flowers. love
them with a deep reverence; they speak to
me when I am alone and sad withavoice
that seems to come back to me from the
(lead. Come, Bell, and deck me, not for a
sacrifice, but for pleasure. I mean to be
gay, and am so sorry if I have marred this
meeting.”

She bowed her head, and permitted Bell to
pin the white rose in her hair, like a stately
palm bending to the lowly bush; and Bell’s
white fingers gleamed among that sable wave
like snow on ebony; and her blue eyes were
turned inquiringly toward the man who,
since the first moment of their meeting,
shared her every thought, and she was grati-
fied to see in his a look of admiration.

Like a Judas, she kissed the brow of this
guileless child of Nature, with fresh, dewy
lips, while she courted the attention _ of
Pierce, who, whether for evil or for good,
felt himself irresistibly drawn toward this
siren with the face of an angel, but the heart
of a deceitful woman, who had not yet
plumbed the depths of its treacherous cur-
rents, and was only now awakening to taste
the triumph of her first conquest—and that a
married man, and the husband of her dearest
friend.

To do her justice, she intended no harm;
but, for all that, she was playing with hearts
which could be broken and severed past re-
uniting.

The nurse, Dinah, stood in the shadow of
the doorway, her black eyes taking in ever
detail of this by-play, with apale, sickly 100
of anger on her yellow skin—lips parted, and
white teeth gleaming in the somber shadow
of the curtain, like atigress in ambush, ready

' to spring at the throat of its victim.

Coral raised her head and started when she
saw Dinah’s expression; for too well she
knew how the descendant of a slave could
hate, and make that hate felt—11y, even as
cruelly as the claws of a panther that strike
deep into quivering flesh, and hold their
prey writhino' in agon .

She feared for Bell’s safety, whom this
quadroon hated because of her (Coral’s)
friendship for her; and again, that she had
noticed how Pierce admired her ;—-great sins
these in the eyes of the woman who lived on-
ly for the sake of the child she had nursed
in infancy, and watched and tended careful-
ly by day and night ever since.

“Give me my cloak, mammy,” she said;
“ you need not wait up for me, as I shall not
return till late.”

“I could not sleep, my jewel; it would
look likeasin to close my eyes w’en my

 

 

 

18 A VIILLFUL WIFE.

chile is not wid me. You will be careful,
and not risk takin’ cold in dis country ob
mist, dat chills one’s bery heartl"

And bending reverently before Coral, she
took her hand and kissed it as if she had been
3 princess, and one to whom homage was

no.

When she had gone, Pierce said:

“It is a mystery to me, Coral, how you
can bear such a person near you; it makes
me shudder and you to look ridiculous. I
shall send her back to Cuba on a liberal
pension.”

“ That you shall not!” she exclaimed defi-
antly, “for‘she is the only link that binds
me to the past a'nd to my sunny home in the
far-01f South. And she loves me, and my
dear mother, when dying, placed me in her
care, and made her swear on the Holy Bible
never to leave me in life. Would you not
respect such an oath, Pierce, notwithstand-
ing how little consideration you deem me
worthy of?”

“We won’t discuss the matter any fur-
ther,” he said, irritably; “ my wishes appear
to have no value in your eyes, Mrs. El-
thorp.”

She turned haughtin from him and met
the smiling face of Bell, who was amused at
this phase of matrimonial life, and won-
dered whether, if she and Coral changed
places, matters would be difi'crcnt. r

The carriage was announced, and put a
stop to all this jarring, much to the relief of
Madame Simon, whose conjugal career had
been of the most placid character, simply be-
cause she and her husband had made a com-
pact at the outset never to interfere with
each other’s whims and fancies.

Coral was silent as the carriage drove
through the broad, well-lit streets of the
metropolis. battling with herself. trying
hard to be good and to exorcise the demon of
anger that had fixed itself in her heart and
brain.

Although the streets were crowded with
throngs of people hurrying to and fro, and
from the houses there came sounds of music
and merrimcnt, she felt that she was alone in
a vast solitude—a wilderness of his making;
and new, to crown all, he wished to wrest

,from her her only friend, whose devoted
heart beat for her alone.

All was glare and glitter, and she passed
men and women as if in adream, Without
recognizing a single human lineament. ,

To her they were like so many phantoms,

- flitting past into the dark shadows of an im-
mensity of space.

When the carriage drew up at the grand
entrance, she awoke with a start, and
touched her husband’s hand lightly as he as-
sisted her to alight.

.on‘Bel

 

For the moment she was dazzled by the
full blaze of innumerable gas-lights, and
placed her hand to her eyes to shut out the
sight.
l’icrce noticed this, and said, softly, and

“ My dear Coral,'I hope you are not ill?"

Oh, how these words, simple and common-
place as they were, thrilled her with delight,
as if she had been listening to the voice of an
angel!”

“No, Pierce,” she replied; "I am quite
well, thank you. ”

And she leant affectionately on his arm as
they ascended the carpeted stairs, formin
part of a social galaxy of beauty and
fashion, clothed in purple and fine linen,
and faring sumptuously every day, while al-
most within ken of this aatia building,
this amphitheater devoted to the Muses,
there dwelt thousands to whom one little
tithe of this wealth would have been an un-
speakable boon. ’

But so the world wa s—rich and poor
separated by a broad gul that charity can-
not span, or ever reall tries to.

They took their p aces in a box on the
first tier, just as the overture crashed out in
brazen notes, and crashing cymbals, and roll
of drum, amid a buzz of conversation that
sounded like echoes amid. the din.

Opera-glasses were leveled at their box,
and inquiries went round as to who the oc-
cupants were—that dark girl the type of
southern beauty, whose flashing eyes outvied
the diamonds learn, and whose parted lips
disclosed pear s guarded by gates of coral,
and who listened with the earnestness of a.
soul enraptured to the grand strains of the
orchestra, showing that she was a neophyte
admitted for the first time to these realms of
music. '

And others dwelt with admiration, quick~
ened by that sylph-like form and sweet face.

, who, unlike Coral, showed a well.
bred indifference to everything but the in-
creasing motion of the fashionable throng,
and chatted prettily to their escort as she
used her fan with all the grace acquired
from a French preceptress.

At last the curtain rose on the grand opera
of “ La Prophete,” a gem, and one of Meyer-
beer’s chef d’oeum-es.

Coral had eyes and ears for nothing else
as she followed the details of every scene
which to her were realistic, and seemed to be
enacted in the period of which they treated,
not by singers, but by the real personages of
the story itself.

She gave a sigh when the curtain drop ed
on the first act, and felt irritable at being
compelled to reply to commonplace questions
when she had just listened to such divine
strains and utterances. '

H».

A WILLFUL WIFE. ' 19

There was in her a profound love of the
beautiful, both in art and nature, which
never failed to speak to her very soul, and no
one could look upon her face, illumiued as it
was with an ecstasy of delight, without
feeling that hers was a mind of no ordinary
caliber that could thus be swept by genius,
vibrating to every delicate touch of the great
maestro, who, dead, yet spoke through his
music.

Almost for the first time Coral swept the
theater with her glasses, and was surprised
at the sea of faces which met her gaze at
every turn; faces wearing masks; men and
women in society costume, and smiles, whose
hearts were troubled With ambition, intrigue,
and other things which it is customary to
term “ skeletons in the cupboard;” gaunt,
dead things, carefully put away out of sight
for times of solitude.

In the opposite box were two gentlemen,
both young, and bearing about them the un-
mistakable hall-mark of birth and breeding,
and who were surveying the occupants of Mr.
Elthorp’s box with evident interest.

These were one of the young Astor‘s, and
a. man of greater mark, a Mr. Philip Dentou,
who swayed the tide of speculation in Wall
street, and was reputed to be a. veritable
modern Croesus.

He had burst upon the world like a meteor,
and had become a planet, a fixed star, around
which society revolved, all being eager, like

. sportsmen on a race-course, to back this fa-

vorite jockey, who rode the famous steed
" Riches.”

“ Who are those girls?” he asked; “that
dark one more especially, who quite throws
her companion into the shade with her splen-
did eyes, that seem to flash through you,
and her mobile face on which every motion
of the heart is faithfully indicated? By
Jovel she is the making of a superb woman,
who will sway society yet, if she cares to do

“Why, Denton, you are fairly smitten
with this newly-discovered star. I can
hazard a shrewd guess that she is Mrs. El-
thorp, the wife of the man at her side; who,
by the way, is an old college chum of mine.
I ave you not heard of the romance of their
marriage? ’Pon word, it is the funniest
thing, you ever heardl But perhaps I bore

ou ’ .

“Not at all, old follow. I should like_to
hear more, for I must confess the lady in-
terests me greatly.”

“ Fancy her being still at school!”

“Nonsensel—incrcdiblel You must be
jesting, Astor!”

“Fact; packed her off there and then,
after father’s funeral. Never lived with her
since."

 

“The man must be a lunatic,” was the
laughing reply, “if he doesn’t value such a
woman; who, if I mistake not, is a prize
worth winning and retaining. Some other
fellow will snatch her from his foolish grasp,
and serve him rightl"

And he added mentally:

“ 'l‘hat other fellow will be me; at least, I
shall try!"

This as he caressed his dark mustache, dis-
playing a diamond ring of immense value,
and bent his piercing eyes upon his future
contemplated conquest; who, all unconscious-
ly, was talking to her husband, little dream-
ing that this visit to the opera would mark a
new epoch in her young life, or that she had
aroused a passion in one who had wealth at
his back, and who never yet failed in any-
thing he essayed to accomplish; a. resolute,
determined man, with a will like iron, but
skillfully concealed under a pleasing, quiet
exterior—who wore a silken glove o’er an
iron hand.

“ I will introduce you, if you like, Denton.
Pierce Elthorp is rather reserved, but not a
bad sort. Great student at college; expects
diplomatic work shortly.” ~

“You would be conferring a favor, Astor.
It is something refreshing to meet ladies who
have not yet been out.”

After the next act, ' which, if anything,
was more absorbing to Coral than its prede-
cessor, the young millionaire and his friend
loungcd round to Picrce’s box, and were wel-
comed by him, and the introductions being
completed, the conversation became general.

Denton, like the man of the world he was,
found little difficulty in monopolizing Coral
without attracting observation; and she
really enjoyed his society, his incisive wit
and brilliant conversation, which awoke in
her new desires to be launched into society,
where such men were to be found.

In the next act the tenor created uite a
furore, and Coral’s eyes danced with elight
as the impassioned singer poured forth a.
flood of melody that held the vast and critical
audience spellbound. ,

While thundcrs of applause greeted him,
Coral, impulsively and ignorantly, knowing
nothing yet of the rules of etiquette in such
matters, threw her bouquet to him, and was '
delighted when, raising it to his lips, he
bowed and smiled his thanks, amid quite a.
titter from several ladies, and a look of
amused astonishment from the men.

The hot blood of anger surged into Pierce
Elthorp’s face at this fresh display of his
wife’s craving, as he thought, for notoriety
of the most humiliating kind.

But Denton with great tact averted the
storm, and the very fact of his paying such
marked attention to the offender against good

‘

 

 

 

20 A WILLFUL WIFE.

taste quite condoned the offense in the eyes
of those who had witnessed the contrctcmps.

When Pierce and the ladies had left,
Denton went round to the stage-door, and
sayg Signor Marochella, the great tenor, and
sat :

“A lady, carried away by your splendid
talents, threw on her bouquet; her husband

is anxious for its return, and has dcputed me‘

to offer you any sum you wish to name for
its restoration."

‘ “Monsieur, you ask too much; I would
not part with the flowers for any considera-
tion. If the lady wishes for them I shall not
refuse, but she must see me in person, and
not by deputy.”

“But Mr. Pierce Elthorp may prove
troublesome in the matter, my friend.”

“What care I for jealous husbands or
cavaliers, monsicur? The flowers were a
gift, and shall not be given up! Do you
suppose that a singer cannot be a gentleman,
or that he would part with his laurels for
more dross? I want no monc , and pardon
me for saying that I COIISlt er you have
aflronted me by your proposal——uninten-
tionally it may be: and I should advise you
not to speak further on such a matter. Adieu,
monsieur; the flowers are mine, and I will
trea re them in the hope of some day meet-
ing the donor and thanking her in person.”

And with a haughty bo‘w, Marochella, in
whose veins there flowed noble blood, turned
on his heel, and left the millionaire astounded,
defeated, and uttering sundry maledictions
on the head of the great tenor.

 

CHAPTER V.
THE FACE IN THE MIRROR.

IN Boston and in other great cities, there
were speculators, money-kings that awaited
with impatience the arrival of Denton, that
great Pactolus, who, however, chose to re-
main in New York.

His whims were more important to him
than the ups and downs of the money market;
and having resolved to win Coral, he re-
mained at his post, and contrived to throw
himself in her we upon several occasions;
but, like a skillfu general, masked his in-
tentions, and paid more open attention to
Miss Allingham than to her, as a blind.

“You have made a conquest, Bell,” Coral
remarked, one afternoon, as they sat sipping
chocolate, and chatting confidentiall over
matters which interested them. “ eon-
gratulate you; Mr. Denton is very wealthy,
and much sought after, I hear.”

“Do you like him, Coral?" Bell asked,
with affected simplicity, but covertly watch-

 

ing that face which was as open to her read-
ing as the page of a book. I

“Well, yes; but our acquaintance has
been too short to form a decided opinion
upon his merits or demerits. He seems very
agreeable; but I feel sure he is smitten With
you, Bell.”

“ Why, Coral?”

“Because he is so attentive to you when
we meet; but you know it, you little hypo-
crite, as well as you do how pretty and fas-
cinating you are. He cannot mean his at-
tentions for me. I’m married, and he knows
it. Of course, he would not dare to think
of me; it would be very wrong if he did.”

Guilcless girl, to suppose that the sacred
tie of marriage would deter men from ap-
proaching you insidiously, or preserve you
from their wiles! Neglected by your hus-
band, you, in the eyes of unscrupulous men,
whose passions and desires are the acme of
life, are just a subject for them to practice
their arts upon, to sap and mine the citadel
of your virtue, until it totters and falls, crush-
ing you under its ruins, while they pass by
and lay fresh siege to another heart.

“ Oh, of course, you are safe, dear Coral,”
remarked Bell, “ and can enjoy a stolen
pleasure without risk of losing your heart I”

Then after a pause, she continued:

“ Do you know, Coral, I think it wise that
girls should endure temptations before they
enter the portals of society.” ’

“ Indeed! Why?”

“Because it teaches them how to avoid
future shoals and quicksands. Innocence,
is in my opinion, a great drawback to a wo-
man just entering upon life: she sees every-
thing wuleur de rose, and is not suspicious of
lurking intentions!"

” You are quite aphilosopher, Bell;” Coral
answered with a merry laugh; “and I am
sure your tenets would alarm my matter-of-
fact husband!”

“0h, he’s a paragon, and never reads
French novels. But 1 wish to confide in you,
Coral!”

“Ishall be delighted, especially if you
have received a proposal!"

“ I have!” This with a mischievous twin-
kle in her blue eyes, and a roguish smile
that lurked in every dimple, like the sun-
beams that kiss the eddies and shallows of
the streamlet.

“011, cu darling!” exclaimed Coral, as
she kissed, the little fairy; “I am so glad!
When did he speak to you?”

“ Oh, he wrote."

“ How strange! But it’s all the same, of
course. And have you said yes, Bell?”

“I am waiting for your permission,
Coral.”

A VVILLFUL IVIFE. 21

 

“For mine? Ilow can it affect me? You
know your own heart best.”

Bell fairly screamed with laughter at Cor-
al‘s mystification; and said at last, as she
placed a letter in her hand, “ Read and in-
wardly di est the proposal for yourself. It
is from l\ r. Denton, as you can see by the
monogram.”

Coral glanced at the contents; and said
with a quick upward glance of perplexed as-
tonishment, “Why, Bell, it is an invitation
to a mask balll You surely do not mean to
aecvpt it?”

“ Don‘t I, though? And both of us! Won’t
it be line fun, Coral?"

“ But what will madame say?”

“As if wewould be such simpletons as to
take her into our confidence! The elite of
the city will be there, and our disguises will
prevent our being recognized. Think of the
splendor of the scene—the music, the lights,
the flowers, the dancers whirling madly past
one, and the brilliant repartees, and the thou-
sand and one attractions of such a scene, and
then tell me if you can refuse a few hours of
such bliss!" .

“ I admit you have whetted my curiosity,
Bell. Now, if Pierce could take us, I should
be delighted!”

“If you wait for that, you will never go.
I can manage the whole aIIair splendidly,
dresses and all.”

“But how are we to evade madame’s
vigilance?"

“Easily enough. Gold will keep the stern
'ianitor, otherwise Charles, the footman, si-
lent. A five-dollar bill will deter the old dog
from barking. Do you consent? If not, I
will not go by myself, and would forever re
gret the disappointment.”

This specious pleading proved successful,
and Coral replied, “I will not desert you,
Bell, although I feel that the step is not one
I ought to take.”

“You are indeed a darling, Corall”. Bell
cried, fairly hugging her with delight. “I
must lose no time, for we have only three
days in which to prepare, and there is a lot
to be done in the time. I will go as Aurora,
and you as Cleopatra. Are you satisfied
with my selection?”

“Yes; it‘s perfect, and does you great
credit, Bell; but how are we to obtain these
costumes?”

“That will be my care. Ask no ques-
tions, and merely guess at the truth.
miss it, it won‘t much matter. The dresses
will be forthcoming, depend upon it.”

The eventful night arrived, and found the
love] consplrators closeted together in Bell‘s
chum er, the door of which had been. pru-
dently locked, putting the finishing touches
to their toilets. which were almply magnifi-

If you :

i cent, and had been provided by Mr. Dcnton,
regardless of expense.

Bell, as Aurora, wore a dead-white satin
robe, with a sweeping train, over which
there fell, with aerial lightness, a gossamer
dress of parti-colors——bluc, pink, and opal
tints, caught up with silver sprays and dia-
mond spanglcs.

On her fair yo‘mg brow there rested a
coronet of silver, inlaid with precious stones
—-diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires;
and her sylph-like waist was clasped with a
silver zone, richly chased and jeweled.

Coral was enraptured with her friend‘s ap-
pearance, but she herself far eclipsed her in
her character-costume of Cleopatra, which
consisted of purple velvet, embroidered in
gold, stomacher studded with brilliants, and
a golden girdle set with jewels, worth a
king's ransom; while over her tresses, black
as midnight gloom, was thrown a golden
tiSsue fabric, reaching to the hem of her
robe.

Silently the irls cloaked each other, and
then stole noise essly to the back door, where
the footman awaited them.

Once out in the street, they found a ,car-
riage and pair awaiting,.and were immedi~
ater driven off to the revels, accompanied
by Denton, who was attired as a Spanish
grandee, and it must be confessed looked re-
markably well.

1 Coral did not feel quite at her case, and
iller conscience reminded her that she was
‘not doing her duty to her husband, who,
1 with all her faults, trusted her implicitly:
, nor did she feel happy under Denton’s ad-
‘ miring glances.

“I must make an impression on her to-
night,” he thought—(meaning Coral).

But openly he flirted with Bell, who, how-

; ever, was not so dense as he ave her credit
,for, and with a woman‘s qule perception
1, saw that her friend was his lode-star.
i Before reaching the academy the ladies
, put on their dominoes, lost among the gay
; throng some one should recognize them, and
l Madame Simon should hear of their escapade
‘ through such a source.
5 On entering the parquet which was floored
over for a ball-room, the girls were struck by
iits magnificence, and dazzled by the ever-
movlng throng of costumed men and women.

“ Is it not beautiful?" Bell asked. “ You

1 are not sorry now you came, are you, Coral?”

“No, ma Bell. But let us converse in

, French onlv. My chief anxiety is that we
should not be recognized by any chance a'c-
quaintance.” I .

At this moment Bell pulled her sleeve, and
said, “ Coral, look. yonder! Do you see that
gentleman who has just entered at the left

. with that lame Dartv? Is he not like-4’

 

 

 

 

22

A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

" Who?” was the eager question.

“ It was a mere fancy,” replied Bell; “and
I will not troubleyou with my thoughts.”

But to herself she murmured, “ it is sure-
1 Pierce Elthorp or I am much mistaken. If
{alarm Coral, she might leave. \Ve must
trust to our disguises for safety. But I will
mention my fears to Mr. Denton, who may
be able to discover Whether my suspicions
are correct.” 9 ,

The vast room was brilliantly lighted by
chandeliers which held thousands of electric
lights, and was crowded with gay maskcrs,
attired in every variety of color and costume,
forming a sight not easily forgotten.

The strains from the hidden orchestra
came floating through banks of violets and
ferns, while here and there 'crystal fountains
threw up jets of sweet perfume that mingled
with and softened the atmosphere, making
the place a veritable Elysium of bliss, where
vailed beauties Iloated b to the divine sounds
of melody, and cverythmg bore marks of re-
flncd wealth and luxuriant taste.

A few moments later, while talking to
Denton, Bell was accosted by a gentleman
wearino' the costume of Clan-lea the Second,
who said in a low tone, “ Surely, fair morn-
ing star, you have shone on me before?”

With a slight start, she perceived that it
was the gentleman she had seen and imagin-
ed she knew; but her presence of mind did
not forsake her, now that she recognized by
his voice, low-toned though it was, that he
was Pierce Elthorp himself; but how he
came to be there so inopportunely wasa mys-
tery which remained to be solved.

“Perhaps,” she replied, disguising her
voice as much as possible, “you may have
lived in other worlds than that over which I
shine.”

And taking Denton’s arm, she hurried

away from the dangerous spot, trembling
with alarm, but resolved not to be driven
away from the revels by the discovery she
had made unless absolutely compelled.
. “I could have sworn it was Miss Ailing-
haml" Pierce murmured; “but surely she
would not be here without madame‘s permis~
sion, and that she could hardly obtain, in-
dulgent as she is!”

Fate seemed resolved to pursue Coral re-
lentlessly in thus bringing her husband on
her track unwittingly at a time when she
was justified in believing he was safe at El-
thorp.

He had received his appointment at the
Court of St. l’etersburg, and was shortly to
sail. but had come on to the city with the in-
tcntion of spending a day or two with Coral

rst.
Having called that day on a friend, he was
prevailed upon to attend the ball. to be in-

itroduced to some foreign diplomats, and
therefore postponed his visit to Madame
Simon’s establishment till the morrow.

He had not written to Coral to tell her of
his appointment, because she had already
expressed her disapproval of his acceptance
of any such post, and he did not care to be
annoyed by her remonstrances.

Meanwhile, Bell was in anxious debate
with Denton on the subject of I’ierce’s pres-
ence.

“Had Mrs. Elthorp and I not betterleave,
Mr. Denton?" she asked, in a tone of trepi-
dation. “If he discovers her, there is every
prospect of an unpleasant scene as the re-
sult.”

“I would advise you not to go. You
have disarmed his suspicions, and need only
place Mrs. Elthorp on her guard to secure
your incognito. It is unfortunate he should
be here; but I see no danger, as you are both
well masked.”

Coral found her friends after a long
search, and showed more courage than Bell
had when she knew that her husband was
among the throng. , '

Her decision was promptly made, and she
said, “Bell, you and i must separate at once.
Mr. Danton will take care of you, and I
have no fear but that I shall meet cavaliers
who will be attentive to me. If Pierce
should happen to see us together, he would
discover all.”

Denton was too well bred to show his an-
noyance at this vexatious incident, but in-
wardly raged at the disappointment of not
having Coral for a companion.

“Let 11s hope that Mr. Elthorp will not
make a long stay,” he said, grimly. “I
shall be near you, Mrs. Elthorp, in case you
should need my poor services.”

There was a. feeling of exultation at Coral’s
heart at being able thus to outwit her cold,
imperious husband, who, if he had had his
will, would have placed her in some convent
to be reduced to submission.

More than once she passed him, but as he
did not think she could ever look so elegant
or graceful, he had no suspicion of her
identity, although, like many other gentle-
men, he admired her stately and regal style
very much.

At last she made her way out of the ball-
room to an ante-room, fitted up as a bower,
with climbing plants, rare exotics, and
statues in niches holding colored lamps which
shed a soft, subdued light around.

It was unoccupied, save by a gentleman in
the dress of a minstrel, who, on seeing her,
said, gallantly:

“ 0h, dusky Queen, I long to tell you of

 

love‘s passion in song! May I not string my
lute in your honor?”

A WILLF‘UL WIFE. 25

 

IIis mask had fallen half-011‘, and she re-
cognized in him the great tenor, Marochella,
about whom all New York was raving.

“That would, indeed, be a pleasure,” she
said, softly; “ for who has not heard of your
fame?”

She threw herself negligently on a rustic
seat embowered in roses, and listened to his
soft serenade, which was like the low tones
of a silver flute. She now unmasked, and
the great singer recognized her as the lady
who had thrown him the bouquet.

Kneeling, he was in the act of raising her
hand to his lips, when, to her dismay, she
saw, in a side mirror, the face of her hus-
band, who had also discarded his mask.

Coral’s face became suffused with con-
fusion as she said, hurriedly:

“ Stand before mel I am here by stealth!
Oh, save mel"

Quick as thought, he hid her from view
by placing himself before her, but too late to
disarm Pierce‘s suspicions, which were now
thoroughly aroused.

“I am sure I am right!” he muttered, as
he left the room. To-morrow I will ques-

, tion Dinah; and Coral must be removed from
Madame Simon‘s neglectful care, and accom-
any me to St. Petersburg, or go to
lthorp.”

 

CHAPTER VI.
A LOYAL HEART.

NEXT morning Coral was awakened by
great splashes of rain beating against the
window, which made her shiver as she went
through the duties of her toilette.

“ What a stormy morning!” she murmured.
“Perhaps it presages trouble for me with
Pierce. I sincerely trust that my foolish
escapade will not get Bell into trouble. I
care not so much for myself. I can fight my
own battle'somehow.”

About noon Pierce arrived, and immedi-
ately requested to see the nurse.

When Dinah entered. with a snaky glitter
in her dusky eyes, suspecting his motive for
this interview, he said, in a tone of calm
authority:

“Dinah, I command you to tell me the
truth about Mrs. Elthorp! I will pay you
handsomely for the information. Where was
your mistress last night?"

She gave him a quick glance of hatred,
and sai :

“You want to buy my words; is it not so,
master?”

“ Yes; you are in the secrets of your mis-
tress, and must know whether she left the
seminary last night. Now tell me the truth
without fear; I will hold you blamelessl”

“An’ you ask me to betray her for gold!
She, who I have nursed from her babyhood,

 

an' cradled in my arms! Would the tigress
betray her young, or the snake devour its
own? Why do you insult me, master? G0,
before I lose my patience, an’ tell you what
you are I"

Mr. Elthorp was so taken aback by the
woman's attack, that he could scarcely be-
lieve that he heard aright, or that she could
have refused his bribe.

He had seen Coral, when a child erucll
ill-use this colored woman—treat her Wit
every insult; and yet she could refuse to speak
against her.

But he had not seen the tender buds of
love that germed in that young heart, and
which, when the child grew older, blo‘omed
and bore fruit, until Coral by every means
in her power taught the quadroon the fact of
her love.

As he made no reply, Dinah continued:

“ You shall not buy my words, master! I
love do chile, and will keep my oath to her
dead motherl Would you have me break it '2"

She had touched a chord in his breast that
vibrated to her every word. and he replied:

“I beg your pardon for attempting to
bribe you: but remember, she, while away
from me, is in your care; and you owe me
your duty as well as she.”

“Heaven help her, poor darlin’—mudder-
less, fadderless, an’ dwelling among stran-
gersl She is imprisoned here when she longs
to be in the green fields among singin’ birds.
Oh, master, be kind to herl She is good,
and could luv you if you would only try to
win dat luv; but if you treat her coldly, her
heart will break!” And Dinah east herself
at his feet, and continued, in a. tone of
passionate entreaty: “ She is passionate, for
she was born in a country where de sun
burns and scorches, an' she cannot help her
nature. You will take Dinah‘s advice will
you not, master?"

Raising hcr gently, he said:

“ Your love for my wife blinds you to her
faults. I would not willingly pain her: but
I alone must form her character and teach
her what it is to fill the position of a wife
withgrace and dignity. I may not have
made my meaning Very clear to you. Dinah;
but I can assure you Coral has. no truer
friend in the world than 1, except It be your-
self. You ma leave me now; but please, do
not say a wor of all this to her.”

As she walked away from him, she mut-
tered:

“ I asked him for bread an’ he gibs me a
stone] Will he never understand my Chile’s
heart?" .

Pierce paced the reception-room in anxious
thought, with lines of care on his otherwise
smooth fair brow; for he had come to put
Coral’s obedience to the test.

 

 

24 . A WILLFUL VVIFE'.

 

He sent up his card, requesting to see Mrs.
Elthorp alone, and she received the message
with much foreboding, fearing, as she ex-
changed meaning glances with Bell, that he
had come to accuse her of an act of grave
im ropricty.

he entered the room with a stolid, defiant
look on her face, the same he so Well remem-
bered when she had first come to Elthorp as
a child.

Kissing her forehead, (how she hated those
formal kisses, so cold, and passionless, and
unmcaning), he led her to a seat, and taking
his place at her side, said, kindly, but with
coveereaning:

.“You are not looking so well this morn.
ing, Coral. You have been studying too
hard, child, perhaps.”

“ The storm is coming,

)1

she thought.

' “ Let it!”

But to her great relief he did not touch
upon the dreaded subject, and entered at
once upon the matter he had at heart.

“ I have received an appointment at the
Russian Court, and am now about to start
for St. Petersburg."

"Indeed, Pierce, I am glad of that, for
your sake. You will write to me often, I

o 6?),
er face had relaxed, and the stony mask
had given place to a look of yearning ten-
derness as she thought that months, perhaps
years, might elapse before she would see him
again.

Somehow, in all her dreams for the future
—those airy castles, which men and women
are wont to build—she never imagined a life
spent with him; and, although disappointed,
was not surprised when she heard that he
was going away to a far-of]? country of snow
and ice, the mere thought of whose dreari-
ness and desolateness made her shudder.

“ I shall have no occasion to write to you,
Coral,” he said.

And then stopped short, and looked to see
if she had caught his meaning.

“ Why, Pierce?” As she cast her eyes-
down to the floor, and two burning spots
suffused her cheeks, mortification and anger
concentrating there.

He smiled, as he replied:

" Because you will accompany me.”

" 1? Oh, no, Pierce, it would kiil mel
Ever since you spoke of it first, I have
dreamt of that bitter land with fear and hor-
ror. I love the sun, and birds, and flowers,
and teeming life; do not take me to that land
of the dead!”

“ Coral, this is simply ridiculous! It is a
pleasant country; you will enjoy the charms
of refined society, and when the winter de-
parts the sun shines with warmth, and all
nature starts into life. It is a mere prejudice,

 

and one that you will soon learn to smile at.
Besides, have you no wish to be with me?”

“ 011, yes,” she replied, eagerly, with deep
blushes; “ but not there~anywhere but
there, Pierce! Let our wedded life begin at
dear old Elthorp, where I first met you; and
who knows but that our love for each other
may bridge over my dislike to that country
whither you wish to take me? Why are you
going? You are rich, and I, too. Surely,
there are duties which men can perform as
well in America as elsewhere. Give up this
appointment, Pierce, for my sake!”

And then, as if alarmed at her own temer-
ity, she sat and looked at his face, with e es
filled with wild alarm, and a heart palpitatrng
so that she could count each of its pulsations.

“ Coral, you cannot be in earnest! Would
you condemn me to idleness, and thwart my
ambition to be something more than an idle
gentleman? Pshaw! on are only a child,
and do not understand, these matters. You
must give wa to my wishes. I shall delay
my journey or some days; your outfit can
soon be procured; as for your furs, they had
better be' purchased in Russia. I am now go-
ing to arrange matterswith Madame Simon."

Her bosom heaved, and her whole frame
quivered with conflicting emotions.

Impulsiver she cast herself on his breast,
and wound her arms around his neck, saying
with great sobs-

“Oh, if you knew how I loved you. and
how I long to be with you always, you would
stay at home, and give up anything for the
sake of the love I bear you!"

“ Do not be foolish,” he said, as he gently
disengaged her clinging arms. “ It is not a
question of love, but willing obedience. I
ask nothing but whatI have aright to ex-
pect, and what any sensible woman would
agree to.” ‘

She sat in the chair, now huddled up, and
with great tears falling from her long, black
lashes. .a picture of misery.

“ Do you not love me?" she sobbed.

“ Yes, providing you obey me.”

But there was a cold ring in his‘voice that
told her the admission was merely conven-
tional; and on the other hand, he was con-
vinced that her confession of love for him,
the first he had ever heard from her lips, had
been merely made to gain her own ends.

To him it appeared that they occupied the
position of fencers, each waiting to find a
way to get within the adversary‘s guard, and
he resolved not to be cajoled into giving her
the advantage.

“ I will do anything but go to Russia,"
she said, mastering her emotion, and allowing
that stony mask to steal over her face again,
“Let me stay here; I have companions, and
am aceustomed to school-life.”

A WILLFUL WIFE. 25

 

This with bitter resentfulness in her tone,
which did not escape him.

rfiaking her hand with kindly pressure, he
sai :

“Do not misjudge me, Coral.
ricd in obedience to your parcnts‘ wishes,
without one word of love passing between
us. You were a mere child, and could not
be expected to fill the position of wife with
credit to yourself or me without first bein
educated; had I neglected that point, and
thrust you into society, you would have
blamed me in years to come, when you saw
yourself outshone in everything that adds
additional charm to Women‘s society. 1
know my conduct is open to criticism; but,
believe me, I was only actuated by a sense
of duty to both you and myself. Cannot
you see this, Coral?”

But she did not reply, and mistaking her
silence for a tacit admission, he continued;

“It has been the dream of my life ever
since I went to the University to fit myself
for the position I have just succeeded in 0b
taining against a host of competitors, and
yet you ask me to resign it for your sake, be-
cause of an absurd prejudice. If I complied
I should be held up to ridicule and contempt
as a soldier would who refused to pro-
ceed to his post after enlisting in the
army. I cannot relinquish my appoint-
ment, Coral, much as I wish to oblige
you. I promised my father to be not only a
husband but a protector to you, and I have
every desire to be even more than I said I
won d. Come, now, show me that you will
be a true wife, and help me to win a name
and position, and I can assure you you will
never regret it.”

These arguments did not move her, for
they were based on mere ambition, which
she did not enter into; had he pleaded for
love’ssake, she might have given way.

_“Pierce Elthorp,” she said, “ I will not go
With you to Russia; no argument s all make
me consent. I am sorr to sayt is, and if
you think more of ambition than of me, de-
cide between us.”

“My determination, Coral, is fixed; you
know my will, which you cannot expect to
bend to yours. Within the week you will
return to Elthorp: masters will be provided
for you, and within certain limits you will
have perfect liberty of action. I must now
leave you, for I have much to attend to.
Good-by, Coral, and I only hope you may
never regret your opposmon to your hus-
band’s wishes.”

Kissing her cold, passionlcss face that was
lit up only by two glittering eyes, teal-less
now, and burning with the fire of defiance,
because he had thrown back her love upon

We mar- .

 

l

herself, he left her, and she realized that she
was alone.

Like a lightning—flash there came over her
mind a complete revulsion of feeling—a de-
sire to be reconciled to him; and with out-
stretched arms, she cried:

“Pierce, come back to Coral!"

But a heavy slamming of the door mocked
her, and she fell senseless to the floor.

 

CHAPTER VII.
RECKLESS To A FAULT. ~

CORAL was back at Elthorp, where she do-
lighted to roam about in perfect freedom, en-
joying the woods and fields, and the songs. of
birds; happy as the day was long, and applying
herself to study, being ambitions of making her-
self a clever, accomplished .woman——one that
even her husband might admire. .

She had no idea of rebelling against her aunt’s
authority; but she, Self-willed and hating re-
straint, caused that good, kind soul many an
anxious hour. . _

“ Dear Coral,” she was wont to say, With the
light of love kindling in her gentle eyes as she
looked at her growmg beauties, “you are get-
ting a woman now, and must subdue your rov-
ing propensities. Besides, it is notlseemly or
discreet to be seen talking and walking With a
gentleman in the absence of Pierce. ’I‘he world
is very censorious, and not for anything would
I wish the breath of scandal to approach you,
whom I know to be but thoughtless and head-
strong.” _

Coral, however, knew how to silence her
aunt’s objections, and always succeeded in gain-
ing her own wa during the years of her
minority, when on y at stated periods did she
receive letters from her husband, which were
invariably cold in tone and teeming With good
advice. >

At such times she was seized with paroxysms
of rage, and even Dinah had a difficulty in
pacifying and soothing her wounded pride.

“ Why does he torment me?” she used to ex-
claim. “Am I always to be. nothing but a
school-girl in his eyes? Let him beware, or I
may yet have to teach him thatI em a wo-
man, and the lesson may not please him! Hus-
band, indeedi how I wish my poor ui-cle could
see how I am treated! I V“ l‘write to Pierce
some da ,and ask him to free me from this
hateful gondagel There are men who would
sacrifice much for my sake; and yet he is con-
tent to stay abroad and slave at a. desk, leaving
me to mope without society. Oh, how I Wish I
could banish his image froi’n my heart, for then
my course would be clear!

On one or these occasmns, when she_was open-
ing her heart to faithful Dinah, showmg her all
its bitterness, she happened to refer to poll
Allingham, who had one out to Russia to Jon)
her father, the Hon. r. Allingham.

“What! did I not tell youi’ said the nurse.
“She is vourcnemy, and is winning from him
do love that should be yours. It I were in
your place I should teach her a. lesson. I’d kill
her!”

“Mammy you must not say that.” said her

 

  
  
   
  
  
   
   
    
  
  
   
  
   
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
 
   
   
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
    
  
 
   
  
   
  
 
 

26

 

A WILLFUL WIFE.

     

 

mistress, as she saw how much this woman

hated Bell; “1 can reven e myself. Remem-

ber that on are in the orth, where revenge
would be ikely to cost you dear.”

“What would I care? I have but one life,
and it is yours. Can I bear to see you unhappy?
—you who are the pulse of my life, and the
very breath of my nostrils? You do not sing
gayly now, and the light is going out of your
beautiful eyes. You may try to hide it from
me, but Dinah knows your heart too well to be
deceived. Why does Mr. Denton come here?
Because he lubs you, and sees how unhappy
you are.”

“Dinah, how dare you speak to me of him?
Ian) a wife, and he is too honorable even to
wish to make me forget my duty.”

“Poor chilel if Dinah saw a snake in your
ath, would she not warn you to avoid it? I
ate him, because he will bring trouble on your

innocent head i”

“Cease your chatter!” she said, angrily,
“and do not meddle with what does not con-
cern you. I should like to know who on this
earth you do not hate?"

“You may flash your eyes wid anger, and
speak harshly to poor Dinah, but she remembers
your sweet mother, an’ the promise she gave to
guard you from all danger as long as she lived;
and that will I do if you kill me.”

And the poor woman fairly sobbed and hid
her face in her hands, through the fingers of
which tears trickled fast.

“ Mammy, I am cruel and ungrateful!” cried
Coral, a she cast her arms around her nurse‘s
neck and kissed her passionately. “ Oh, bear
with your child, dear Dinah, and forgive her,
for, indeed, I am sorely tried—my heart yearns
for love; but I get it not from the only man I
would care to receive it from. Do not speak of
the other’s love to me. I must never see him
again, and that would render my life dark and
dreary, for 1 value him as a friend.”

“The sun shines again on Dinah, now that
her darlin’s smile hab returned. You shall
please yourself an’ not be troubled wid my ad.
vice; but, remember, you are beautiful, an’ win
hearts, and perhaps you may learn to lub some
one who might lead you into danger.”

Dinah was right, for Coral was drifting fur-
ther apart from her husband, and Danton had
contrived to gain an ascendancy over her,
which might in a. moment of mad impulse, such
as seized her at times, tempt her to forget her
position and the man whose name she bore;
for, after all, she was only human, and yearned
for sympathy and love, which hitherto had
been denied her.

Months flew by, and the girl, who once was
all angles, developed into a most lovely crea-
ture, full of health and vivacity; and when not
attacked with a fit of sulks one of the merriest
of women, with a heart brimming over with
loving kindness.

Marochella, during the opera season, used to
run down to Elthorp to see her, and she was
very partial to his society, his singing especially,
being a devoted lover of music, and herself no
mean performer.

Marochella loved her dearly, and had made

 

her his ideal of beauty—worshiping her in

  

secret; dreaming of her; living only for the
time when he could enjoy her charming society.
But of love he spake never a word, although
his soul hungered for a single careSs; and when
their hands met in exchange of greeting, her
verv touch thrilled him with ecstasy.

He was the darling of society—feted, potted
by the rich; but his thoughts always wandered
to Elthorp, where his divinity dwelt.

Even her hunt—Miss Elthorp~who was not
given to form attachments for the sterner sex,
liked the gentle Italian, whose manners were
courtly, and about whom there was an unmis-
takable air of refinement; and she encouraged
his visits, while she did all in her power to repel
Denton, whom, with a woman’s quick instinct,
she mistrusted.

At the close of the opera season, Coral sug-
gested to Marochella that he should give a
matinee in aid of a local charity at Elthorp, and
that she, on her part, would enlist the sympa-
thies of country families.

Delighted beyond measure, and having no
pressing engagement, he cmsented, and forth-
with set about gettin his stuff of artistrs to-
gether, of which Cora was to form one—in the
ca acity of an amateur, of course.

enton came at her invitation, and superin-
tended the arrangements, which were on an
elaborate scale, the mansion being given up into
the hands of carpenters and decorators much
to the alarm of gentle Miss Elthorp, who had
never known such goings on in her lifetime.

“Dear Coral. is it your wish to take this step
without first having consulted your husband?"
she said, timidly; or though Coral aid her
deference in some things, in others, sue as this
for instance. she would have her own way as
mistress of Elthorp.

“My husbandl” she said, scornfully. “I am
glad you have given him a name, dear aunty.
I have ceased to look upon him in any other
light than that of my guardian, and 1 do not
mean to consult his tastes in this or any other
matter, for he would be sure to object to any-
thing that conduced to my Pleasure. Besides,
you dear old Puritan, it is or a. good object,
and matinees are very fashionable. You must
help me send out cards of invitation; it is iim
that Elthorp was en fete. Why, there was no
even a marriage breakfast in my honor, so I am
going to give something on a grand scale to
celebrate that not Very auspicious event!"

There was a cold, biting thread of irony run-
ning through her words, Mr. Elthor 's eccen-
tric conduct in kee ing away from er as he
did, combined with er own reckless disregard
for the opinion of that uncomfortable old party,
“Mrs. Grundy,” kept the elite of the country
aloof from Elthorp.

“My dear Coral,” replied her aunt, “you
have just cause for resentment. I admit: but is

it wise to show it in this way? Remember, we
live in an age when no one is free from criti-
cism.”

“I am not going to trouble myself about
that, aunt. I shall send out my cards, and
abide by the consequences!”

To Coral’s great mortification, polite refusals
poured in upon her, until she was fairly ready
to cry with vexation.

A WILLFUL WIFE. 27

 

“This is all his doing,” she exr‘lnimed, pas-
sionately. “He has by his neglect given rise
to scandal of some kind, while he, like a coward,
keeps out of the way, leaving me to bear the
brunt of it all! But I’ll invite somebody; I
won’t be disappointed, and made a laughing-
stock of. Mr. Danton will help me, 1 know."

“ Dear Mrs. Elthorp,” he said, when she men~
tinned the matter to him, “the greatest pleasure
of my life is to be of service to you; pardon me
for saying so, but it grieves me to see you placed
in u false position, through no fault of yours.
Why do you, so young and beautiful, with life
just opening its gates, submit to this crqu treat-
ment'! And oh! Coral, forgive me; but I would
relinquish even the hopes of Heaven itself to
gain you for my wife!”

“ Please do not talk such nonsense 1” she said,
with affected gayety. “ i suppose you think to
amuse me; and if I were free there is no reason
why I should cherse you for a illbbilllli. Run
away like a. good boy, and send off the invita-
tions. Bring in the bolt, and the lame, and the
blind; do anything you like, but my house
must be filled; and don’t ever offend again in
speaking treason against mgr husband. or I
may get angry I” This as er scorn flashed
upon him for his audacity.

Somewhat abashed, he left her, wondering
why it was that she should have obtained such
a mastery over him, forgetting that she had a
will of iron and was as pure in thought as a
snowflake.

“Be is driving her into my arms, conceited
prig that he is. This afi'air will bring about
their separation, or I am much mistaken. I love
her too well to wish her to be anything but a
wife to me. She is wasting her sweet young
life waiting for him to come. to his senses.
Good heavins! how wickedly foolish some men
are! He despises what I would give worlds to
pcssessl" '

So ran his musings.

Coral was rehearsing her part as Rosalind,
in “As You Like It,“ when she received a tele-
rram announcirg the coming of Bell Alling-
lam, who had just returned to her home from
Russia.

Coral hardly knew whether to be pleased or
not at this intelligence, for the former friend-
ship which had existed between them as school-
companions had been Weakened by absence.

She showed the telegram to her aunt, say-

ing:

“In the absence of my natural adviser,I
want you to tell me what I am to do; shall we
invite Bell down? You used to be very partial
to her when you came to visit us in New York,
auntv.”

“But you have no one to meet her, Coral;
not a single person of note has accepted your
invitation. She might think it odd, clear,” she
replied, sadly; for she felt the cut direct more
keen] than even her Diem.

“ ever mind that. I’ll invite her down. She
used to be very amusing; lit-sides. I sadly want
a companion to back me up, and to share my
responsibilities in entertaining ourguests. You
love quiet, and shall not he put out on this oc-
casion—there! that’s settled; besides, she will
have quite a budget of news from Russia. and.

 

of course. I am dying to hear about that loving
husband of mine. ’ ‘

Before her aunt could say anything in reply,
Coral ran away, singing a snatch from one of
the operas, apparently quite unconcerned about
the opinion of Bell or of her husband, and seem-
ingly resolved to bring down the vials of his
wrath upon her devoted head.

The following day Bell reached Ellhorp, and
was warmly welcomed by.its youig mistress,
who “us really pleased to See her.

“You are just in time, Bell, to take part in
our private theatricals, if you think fit; one of
the ladies has dropped on. You will be pleased
to hear that your old friend, Mr. Demon, is
master of the ceremonies, and Signor Maro-
chella responsible stage manager.”

v “Why, Coral, whatever are you thinkin
about? Mr. Elthorp is sure to hear of it, an
you know how angry it makes him, my dear."

“ He shall hear of it from me, Bella. Several
reporters will be present, and I’ll send liim
copies of the papers. As for his anger, I have
long ceased to care for that. But come along
to your room. I suppose you will stay for the

etc f’”

f “ That will all depend upon my father, Coral,”
she said, somewhat siifliy. “I came down
hoping to enjoy a long chat with you, and to
bring you some presents which your husband
has Sent. I fearl shall not be able to make a
long stay, as 1 Owe some visits to my friends.”

“ How changed you are, Bell, since we were
at the seminary togetherl You used to advise
me to play off all kinds of tricks on my bus
band. and now you seem to take his part. Never
mind: I hope to survive it all."

Bell was secretly delighted to find that Coral
was acting in this reckless manner, which far
exceeded all she had heard of her escapades
through Pierce, whom she secretly loved, and
one day hoped to wed, when Coral, putting the
finishing touch to her madness, outraged him to
an extent that would impel him to sue for a
divorce. 7

She was too cunning, hawever, to sho v the
true state of her feelings, and assumed to be
shocked at what she saw and heard; and on no
account did she intend to remain for the festivi-
ties.

Coral showed no pleasure in the costly presents
which Pierce had sent her, but threw them
aside with a contemptuous gesture, saying:

“ He still thinks me a school-girl! I Wonder-
he did not send me a. doll, labeled ‘A present
for a good girl 1’ ’-’ . _ ,

“ Really, Coral, you are incorrigible!” said
Bell, laughing in spite of herself. “But how
wonderfully you have rownl I declare I
hardly knew you! Mr. lthorp was pleased
with the reports of your mnstersf’ '

“Indeed! How gracious of his serene high-
nessl Perhaps, if some one had . taken the
trouble to send me a report of his doin s, I
should not be so delighted as he appears to s.”

This as she looked meanineg at her friend,
who winced under the home-thrust.

Bell soon left Elthorp, carrying away with
her the sweet conviction that Coral’s downfall
was near at hand; and by almost the next post
after her return to town she wrote Mr. Elthorn

 

  
 
 
   
 
   
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
  
   
  
   
     
      

 

       

   

A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

a charming letter, in which she described
Coral’s doings and sayings—so prettily, how-
ever, that no one could suspect that they had
been penned with malice aforethought.

Meanwhile, Coral rushed on to seeming de-
struction; and when the performances Were
over, and Elthorp had returned to its normal
state of repose, she realized for the first time
what the consequences mi ght be to herself.

With the willfulness so characteristic of her,
she wrote her husband a letter in which she
told him everything: how she had been treated
by the aristocracy of the neighborhood, and in-
CIOsing cuttings from newspapers, and also a
photo of her as Rosalind in full stage costume.

This to Pierce was the proverbial last straw
that breaks the camel’s buck, and, aided by an
anon mous letter and a paragraph in the Morn.-
ing as!) descanting on the recent fast doings at
Elthorp, provoked him into writing an intem-
perate letter to her, charging her with more
than folly, and apprising her of his speedy re-
turn to seek redress at the hands of the law.

Coral, stung to madness by her husband's un-
just accusations, resolved to defy him; and in
spite of her aunt’s remonsfrances, insisted upon
taking up her abode on Lexington avenue, in
the family town house.

“ I am sick of Elthorpl” she exclaimed bitter-
ly. “ It has brought me nothing but unhappi-
ness. I may never return to it; it will not
break my heart if I do not.”

So it came to pass that Elthorp was deserted,
and Mrs. Elthorp and her aunt located in New
York, where Coral launched out into all kinds
of gayety and extravagancs, and was usually
chaperoned by her aunt, with Denton as cice-
rone, and Marochella as aiddecnmp in wait-
ing, provoking many comments from those
who in their lifetime had done perhaps worse
things, but not so openly.

She, poor, innocent girl! knew her own heart
and purity of purpose, but never dreamed of
the fearful construction the world puts where
it sees a young and beautiful woman, separated
from her husband, constantly in the society of
a. man who is known to be no relation to her to
warrant his assiduous attentions.

 

CHAPTER VIII. ,
A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION.

To a mud, sensitiVe nature like that with
which oral was endowed, the scandal raised
by her doings at Elthorp was most imbittering;
especially as her object had been to do good
and to raise funds for a well-deserving charity.

To be thoroughly ostracized by the neighbor-
hood was another thorn in her side. which
gelled her all the more sorely because it had
been brought about by the cruel neglect and
indiflerence of her husband, to whom she had
been ever since her marriage-day a wife in
name, only treated as a mere schoolgirl to be
kept under tutelage and scolded and lectured
until her spirit rose in open rebellion. and she
had been induced to do things which, in her
calmer moments, she would have heartily re-
gretted.

Many and many a night was her pillow wet
with tears of mortification and deep humiliation

 

at his want of thought in exposing her to temp-
tations while she was a mere child, untutored
in the world’s ways, surrounded by shoals and
quicksands and snares that might in one reck-
less moment ruin her character for life.

Her aunt was altogether unfitted for the task
of guarding one so self-willed and impulsive, in
whose veins the warm blood of a Southern
clime coursed madly when excited 'or thwarted;
and if Pierce had not been so cold and indifler-
ent, he must have seen that to leave a young
and beautiful woman alone with all the free—
dom of a married life surrounding her, was to
expose her to temptations before which few
could stand.

“ Why should I waste my life in waiting for
his pleasure to come to me, when I might strike
out a course for myself, and be happy in my
owngway? I have talents which I long to exer-
cise; but when I do sol am met by the en-
venomed tongue of scandal, and forced back
upon myself, discouraged and despairing, with
a lonely home, no society, and no hope of ever
winning the respect, much less the love, of a.
husband whose great desire would seem to be to
live separate from me, as if I were hateful to
him; a something to be avoided, if not to be
utterly discardedl How cowardly and mean it
is of him to keep the chains riveted—those hate-
ful bonds of marriage—instead of releasing me,
and allowing each in turn to form fresh ties! I
hunger for a home in which domestic bliss
would be the chief feature! But when I ask for
bread he gives me a stone; and in answer to my
letters begging of him to return, he invariably
says, “ Wait till your education is finished,’ or,
‘Obey me, and join me in Russial’ I am often
tempted to throw off all semblance of allegiance
to him and assert my thorough independence.
And I mean to do so; perhaps it will bring him
to his senses and to my feet, to sue for pardon.”

Thus did Coral soliloquize one morning in her
boudoir; her eyes lit up with the baleful fire of
mortified ride and anger which filled her very
being, maEing her lovely face distorted and un-
lovely, and filling her heart with a mad'desire
for retaliation.

When a. woman, wealthy and beautiful and
highly-gifted, finds herself treated with cold
contempt and neglect by the man who has
sworn to love and cherish and be all the world
to her—a husband, friend, companion, coun-
selor and guide—she is not likely to find vent
for her wounded pride in useless sighs and
tears, or to shut herself away from the world;
no, that is just what she will not do, or ever

as.

The standard of rebellion is raised, and she
defies a power she cannot conquer, and, rushing
madly upon fate, challenges it to acomhat in
which she invariably is defeated.

It was so in this instance; for, on running her
eye mechanically down the long list of adver-
tisements in the Times, she saw one especially
addressed to aspirants for the stage, offering a
leading position to a lady of ability and means
in opera bouffe, an art in which er soul de-
lighted.

"I’ll do it,” she said, almost fiercely; “and
give him real cause for displeasure this time.
The woman he wishes to banish into ignsble ob-

~I~ I

 

 

wt”...— fl

A ~, 

A WILLFUL WIFE. 29

 

scuritv will flash upon the world like a meteor,
and display herself in public to amuse all who
Wish to see her. It will be ii glorious revenge,
and perhaps in his wrath he will free me from
mfi fetters.”

ut her better angel had not quite deserted
this rash, impetuous child of nature, in whose
heart, hidden away under pride and anger and
resentment, there blossomed the sweet flower of

love for the very man she wished to abuse and l

humiliate.

Lying on the table was the withered spray of
crimson azaleas which her husbnnd had given
her when they were boy and girl, and she had
come to his home as an orphan from across
many seas, and with which simple gift he had
won her child’s heart.

“Poor faded flowersl” she murmured, with
tears in her dark, flashing eyes gathered there
like dewy pearls. “You will never bloom
again, but yet your memory is dear to me, and
there is a fragrance even in your dead ashes,
sweeter far than the odor of earth’s choice-st
flowers, which appeals to my wounded heart
and snothes it when everything else fails to do
so. What is this? Can it he that my love for
him. which I treasured up in secret for years,
still has vitality? Oh, that I could scorn you,
you memory of the past, as I do him; but you
cling round the fibers of my heart and appeal to
me to love him still, and to be patient and bear
unmurmuringly his defection.”

While she was warring with self there came
a tap at the door, and her muid announced
Marochella, the man to whom her warm, im-
pulsive heart clung, because he was the em
bodiment of the art she loved so well—namely,
music. . -

She swept into the draWing—room With the

regal grace of a. queen, and extending her hand ,

to the gentle Italian, who loved the very ground
she trod upon, but who- was too noble to express
his liOpeless passion for her in words, she said,
with a ring of gladness in her musical voice:

“ I am so pleased you have come; I Wished to
see you on a matter I have in hand. Have. you
seen the advertisement in to-day’s Times l'E-lll‘

ting to the stage?”——this as she touched the bell »

for refreshments. _ l
“I cannot say I have, dear madam; but if it
interests you, 1 will not fail to pay attention to

“ Oh, it does not matter! I have read it, and
perhaps you will be surprised to hear I mean to
offer myself as a candidate for the leading posi-
tion offered in opera boufi'e." V

Taking her hand and leading her to a seat, he
sat beside her, and said, “Coral, you have hon-
ored me’ with your friendship, and have placed
me in the proud posmon of a brother. If I
have any influence over you, I pray—nay, im.
plore that you will not think of this projm-t
seriously. .You are a wife, and hold a high po~
sition in society, and must not permit the world
to assail you with the breath .of Scandal. It
would break my heart if anything should hap-
pen to further estrange you from your hus~
band!” . _

“ You can be no true friend of mine to say
that!" she exclaimed passionately, as she
snatched her hand awaY. “ Husband! wife!

l

i What a mockery! Does he care one jot for me?
‘No; and why should I guard his honor like u.
, watchful jailer!“

‘ “1 am sorrv I have offended you!" he said,
‘ gently. “ Heaven knows I sym athize with
you too much for that; but I woul not be your
friend if I stood by and permitted you to do
anything the world would be sure to condemn
without a word of advice. I am older in years
than you, and my very profession brings me
into contact with the world and its ways,
and I have seen women lose fair fame when a
man has passed unscathed for doing that which
in comparison to her fault might well have been
considered heinous crime. Bear with me, dear
sister; your heart is sore, with perhaps just re-
sentment. Why not end all this friction by
joining your husband in Russia? I have a sis—
ter who will gladly, at my request, be your
companion on the journey. Do this, Coral, for
my sake, but for your own more especially.

"Forgive me for my harshness. Marochella.

You are the dearest, truest friend I pOSSess, and
I would not willineg wound your noble heart;
but you ask too much of me—a task which my
woman’s pride revolts at. It is too late to
bridge over the gulf by making a bridge of m
submission. He never tried to coax me, a -
though he treated me as a child, and now it is
war to the knife betwixt him and me. I am a
child no longer, but a woman with a. past to
avenge, in which insult, disdain, and cold con-
tempt have been heaped upon meunjustly. I
thank you for having warned me against a pro-
ject which could not but bring bitter reflection
in its train, and I will for your sake abandon
it; but, ohl let him not try me too far, or he
may yet have a life—long: sorrow haunting him
like 3;, grim specter, a Banqua’s ghost at the
"east!
l Marochella looked at her as she threw herself in
,her abandon of resenlful despair on acouch,
: her beautiful arms placed under her dainty
l head, and her voluptuous form Charmin his
i every sense: and there came across hismin like
i a lightning flash a temptation unbidden, but still
there, and terribly rral, to wrestle no longer
with his love for her, but avowin it on his
‘ knees, to implore her to make both erself and
him happy, and throwing 01f her fettcrs,‘to fly
with him to sunny Italy, and to be all the world
to each other, instead of wearing out her young
life in a. battle against self which must end in
misery and hopeless despair. Hitherto he had
placed a strong curb on his love; but to see her
pain and listen to her re . inings were more than
flesh or blood could wii' istand, especiallyas he
could perceive that he had gained a place in her
affections and esteem.

Poor Coral, impulsive and reckless to a fault,
but still pure in heart as the snow that coyers
with its white robe the sides of a crater, little
dreamt of the storm which she had aroused in
the man's heart who sat looking at her 4 ' h
love’s delirium leaping from out of his 9) -
vouring her every lineament, and mad “ i: h
frenzy to clasp her to his heart. and plead wivh
love’s passion for a sacrifice which would make

him, oh, so happy! and free her from her hatc-
ful bondage.

Had be spoken the words which surged to his

 

 

 

A WILLFUL WIFE.

 

lips she might have said this fatal “Yes,” for
she was tired of the constant warfare, and
wished, oh] so ardently, for peace and rest;
but at this crisis in their lives, when two paths
were open for them to tread—one narrow and
rugged, but leading to safety and honor; the
other broad and crowned on either side with
flowers and shrubs tending to evil-Miss El-
thorp entered, clothed in white, and looking
like a. sweet angel sent from heaven to save
them; and the sound of her gentle vcice broke
the spell, and Murochella was saved, and in
saving himself gave Coral safety too.

CHAPTER IX.
RECONCILIATION.

PIERCE, on his return to America, hastened
to Elthorp, only to find the family gone to the
city; and he feared lest Coral should have been
driven into open rebellion by his reproachful
letter. -

It was late when he reached his city house,
and he was told that Lis wife had gone to the
opera with her aunt.

“Thank Heaven for thatl”he said. “Aunt
Clara will shield her from temptation. I fear I
am to blame if any wrong has come to Coral,
poor, misguided, willful gll'l i”

He went to the opera 1711009., and took up a
position whence he could observe his wife with-
out himself attracting observation.

“How lovely she Isl” he thought; “and her
face hears the stamp of innocence upon it! She
has fully justified the prophecy of my dear
father. I never thought she would ever blossom
into anything half so beautiful.”

For the first time he realized that this glori-
ous woman, with her superb form, flashing eyes,
and statuesque face, beaming with bewildering,
fascinating smiles. was his wife, who, from mere
prejudice and pride, he had so long neglected.

The scales drop ad from his eyes and he saw
himself in a true ight—that of an imperious
tyrannical, exacting husband, who had treated
this superb creature as his vassal, not as his
e an .
qlt maddened him to see how she smiled upon
Danton, and how attentive he was to her; and
his heart sunk within him last she should al-
ready- be lost to him forever, and that her un-
doing lay at his own door; and yet every day
he had said those words in his prayers, “ Lead
us not into temptation,” while he was driving
her into the net of the fowler.

“ I will wait till to-morrow,” he thought,
“and see her; perhaps she will forgive me, if it
is not too late.’ ~

He went to his club that night, and about
noon the following day he returned to his wife’s
address and saw his aunt Clara, who received
him somewhat coldly.

“Are you not pleased to see me, aunt?” he
asked.

“ Yes, my brother’s son is always Welcome to
me,” she said with a look of reproach in her

entle eyes. “ It is a pity you did not come be- :

fore, Pierce.”

“Good heavens! what do you mean!” he
asked, wildly. “Where is my wife?”

“ In her room.”

P :May I see her?” he asked. nervously.

 

“ If you had treated her differently there
would he no need for you to ask 511011 a ques-
tion. You have exposed her, an innocent girl,
to great temptation and armed society against
her! Oh, Piercel I can scarcely forgive you'
how then can you expect her to welcome you
But I will be a peac maker if I can. Go to her;
sue her as a lover, not as a tyrannical, neglectful
husband: and perhaps she may relent. Your
last letter drove her almost mad! I could wish
that I were lying beside your father, rather
than that our name should be trailed in the
very dust by your cruel treatment of a defense-
less woman, and she your wifel”

He winced under these reproaches, and felt
that they were only too well merited.

When Coral received his message she was in
her boudoir waiting for her horse to be brought
round, and she merely said:

“Tell Mr. Elthorp that I can only give him a
few minutes of my time. Where is he, Bar-
low?”

“In the drawing—room, madame,” the foot-
man re lied.

In a e‘y seconds husband and wife stood face
to face; she proud and haughty, and with scorn
leaping from her eyes: be filled with varied
emotions of admiration and ahasement.

She looked radiantly lovely in her riding-
habit, and yet, although she was his wife, he
dared not even kiSs her, for he saw how angry
she was.

“Coral,” he said, “have you no welcome for
me?”

“If you come as my husband—no: but if as
Mr. Pierre Elthorp—-yes. I can say no more
nOW. Good-morning, Mr. Elthorp, I have an
engagement.”

And with a sweeping courtesy, she turned
away, her eyes flashing disdainfully.

“ Coral,” he said, softly, “do not go.”

“ Why not, Mr. Elthorp? You have had
your way; surely you cannot- ohject to my
pleasing myself? I have not forgotten the in-
sults you heaped upon me; if you remain here,
I shall return to Elthorp until such time as you
put your threat into execution. I long for my
freedom! Good'day again 2”

And she was gone, leaving him abashed,
humiliated.

It was indeed a crushing defeat for him, who
had been wont to treat her as a mere school-
girl, to be scolded, but never patted, lest he
should spoil her. The tables were turned upon
him with a vengeance, and, to add poignancy
to his self-abusement, he admitted the jUStness
of her insulting indifference.

“How blind I was, how foolish to leave her
alone, when I might have won her love! How
she pleaded with me not to go, and I refused
her pruyerl What has ambition done for me?
Lest we the great treasure of a wife’s 10%! No
woman who had the slightest taint upon her
honing could look at me as she did. 0h, fool 1—
fee

In vain did her aunt plead for her forgiveness
for her husband; Coral was obdurate, and
would not even meet him, but kept to her own
suite of rooms, while he yearned to see her, to
hear her voice-for when too late, he had fallen
desperately in love with his own wife.

 

A \VILLFUL \VIFE.

Pierce Elthorp was a. just and honorable man,
despite his cold, proud exterior, and now that
his conscience convicted him of wrong, he was
ready to sue for pardon; but the golden gates
of mercy seemed closed to him forever.

He watch-ed her go out and in, hoping to
catch a look of pardon from her glorious eyes;
but although she knew he was at the window,
she never deigned to notice him.

Then it occurred to him that Dinah, the poor
despised quadroon, could mediate between
them; but she replied: “You spurned my bird-
ob-paradise, an’ now she scorns you. Did I not
tell you dat de day would come when you
would lub her as she deserves to be luhbeil?‘ No.
I cannot influence her. You must do clut for
yourself, master.”

One morning, full of a desire for reconcilia-
tion, he stole up to her rooms and entered an
ante-room, where his attention was riveted by
the sound of voices.

“ Mr. Denton, you, like other men, are mak-
ing a grave error in supposing that a wife,
cruel] neglected and deserted by her husband,
shoul fall a. prey to the first man audacious
enough to address words of love to her,” Coral
was saying.

“ I only wish that you s‘iould gain your free-
dom from bonds that gall. I lwe you devoted-
ly, and will make you—ah, with Heaven’s help!
—a happy wife. W'hat has he done for you?
Despised, scorned, and deserted you! Oh,
Coral. you cannot love him! He has been so
cruel!” _

“ I’ll tell you what I have never mid to him:
I do love him, dearly, passionately! He was

kind to me when I came to his father’s home,
an orphan, a stranger in a strange land. He
gave mea spray of these. and I have kept it

near in heart, although the flowers are with-
ered.li e his love. Leave me! I know you

 

mean what is right: but I can never be any-
thing tr. you but a friend.”

“Why, then, do you not tell him all this?”
he asked, bitterly.

“Because I am a woman whose love he has
scorned. My pride would never permit me to
reveal my secret until he sued for pardon on his
knees.”

With hastv steps and a heart beating high
with hope, Pierce entered, and throwing him-
Self at her feet, clasped her hands, and said,
“Coral. my darling, my true wife, you have
won my love at last! Give me yours in return.
[have been mad, foolish! See, I implore you
on my knees to forgive me!"

Denton left husband and wife together, and
she, raising Pierce, kissed him in token of lov-
ing forgiveness, and he clasped her to his heart,
and rained down burning kisses on her lips,
brow and eyes.

Elthorp is en fete, for a son and heir is born
to the house, and father and mother are the
happiest couple in all the Union, united now in
the bonds ot‘ true love, which had and would
stand the crucial test of time. . .

Other children came io bless this bright,
cheery home, and these little buds of promise
were in great danger of being spout by Dinah
and the gentle, silver-haired ady, their grand-

annt.

Bell Allingham never visits Elthorp, but Mr.
Denton and Marochella do, and are received as
welcome and honored ghests. ,

One noticeable feature about Coral, whose
beauty increases with the growth of years, and
whose devoted husband, eschewing the thorny

aths of ambition, has settled down in his home,
is that the only flowers she ever wears is a.
spray of crimsom azaleas.

 

AAAAAAAAAAA‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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N, __ , NM,N,I,
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1“ PUBLISH ED EVER Y TUESDA ll"? '
E  / \
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\

Waverley Library. ———\

\/ THIRTY-TWO ()C'TA VO PAGES.

 

1 A Bride of‘nDn ; or, Th“ MRS“?! 0" “'ifllfmil ; 4? The (Trcnlc Elnora. By Mrs. Anna E. Porter.
Leigh. Bv Mury l and Cl'uwull. I 4 A .“nrriux. nl‘Cunvt-nicnu- . liy Sum Clnxlon.
2 The Girl “'ii'o: “r, Thu: Ti’lk: ulnl the FJlSK‘. liy 49 'i he “'ll' 5mm“. lsy i-.,|. .lunn Lewis.
Bnriloy 'l‘. (‘mnphr-ll. l 50 > - a Bride. liy Al‘ulmllu Snulhworlh.
8 Want it Love? or, (‘nllcginns nml SAHu-lhenrts. liy :-I In . . By Ucluvu hum”.
Wm. Mnsun Turner, .\l. D. {)2 Ilonlclenn; or, 'l’wo ()rplmn Girl» in New York. By
4 Married h. "mm, Hy Rm mu“va I Alhqu \\'. Alla-u.
5 “71" She Murry "in"? ur, ’l‘hu .\l.|sl(c1l Bride. ‘ 53 The Munim- Bride. By Mxirgxircl lllnnnt.
By Mrs. Mary "had (anm-Il. 5 l l'lclluL-tl to Marry. liv Sum (flnxlnn.
6 I'll! anl‘ul “'li'o: or, yr , - (lhlhl nl AllU‘)‘ in“) ('ccil‘n lit-volt. 15y Mn. . nnniu Dzuin lSurtnn.
tinn. By Mrs. Ann 8. Slrphum. 56 Benn-ire, vho liulutifui; or, llis Second Love.
'2’ A Fulr Fucc; or. Out in [he “Rn-id. 15y Um'llvy '1'. |;_\- Ami,th swuunwrm' 4
Cmnphcll. “'lthnnt .\l ere)" . liy llnrih-y T. (‘nnn-hcll.
8 A Mad Mnrrlnge; on'l'he Irun “'111- By Mary ‘ ’i'hc IhlruncI'I-hu’rct. By sin-u ('lnxlnn.
A. Dcnixnn. Agnes “one, the Artro—n; nr, llm limnnnra of a
9 A Dan hter 01' Eve; or, Blinded by Love. liy “my king. in Wm. M lurver, M. D.
Mn. Elfin» Reed Cram-ll. _ ‘ A \\'ltlu\\"n “'ilw. By lim'hvl Brnllmnll.
10 The Bro 'cn non-othul; or. Low verm Unw- hm “0 Law "or? By lin llr (hunva 11.
By MuryUrm-v Hulpinu. _ _ Alum-n III Iii-I l’uuer. [5y . inn liKH‘I‘an.
11 The Bride of mi Actor; ur, ann lrmn llntnc. L llld Not Love Him. Hy Arnhelln South-
Bv the Author nl' " Alwnu in lllt! “Mill,” «1' L nnrlh.
12 APIIII' OVGHI." flit“- lll‘RW-f IIWHH‘“ - Bohr-Io Ruynor. the “'ork Girl. By Wm.
18 Without n lleurt. liy (‘4 i. l’runtm In: 1 hum. Musnn 'l'urm-r, 11.1).
14 Alone In the “'nrld; 0r 'l'hu Ynun: Mnn’s \\"u'l "’ A linu‘v Girl. By Alive Fleming.
By the Aullm‘ “1““l'ltr “rh r “in” HWY,” WV. I v 1011' lint h’~ Fin. By G rgmnn Din-liens”
15 Mothcrk hr,ThuFarmer’schcthuurt. By , . A \I, Mod "en", Ry. - ('liutun.
Prentiss ir mu. ‘. Il'i‘ Hour-1’s )i int rolls. liy Arnlu-lln Sonlhworlh.
16 The Set-rot urriuge. By Sam (‘lnxmm . ’l‘l-u (inlv llnughtcr. 151- Alire Fin-ring.
17 Sister nwulnnt Sly-Wt: 0!" The Rllel‘y 0" ““l‘rlfi- \‘. ll:-‘ J ii urrlwl Illmi By Sum Clnxlon.
Bv Mrs. Mnrv Rch Crow->1]. ] ,“L M mm... Low'uy.
IS lle'nrt to lh-urt. I Arnhellu Sanihwunh. A Mnu’n P-ln. liy km \\'inm.ml.
19 Hold for Gold. UV Mm M- V- View“ his 0w" Agni". ily Amhellu Smithwnrlh.
20 Entangled; “Y: A Dnnuewus Gmm“ “y “fil'l‘irufl Adi-in, lire Adopted. lly Jrlmio Dnyis [inn-ton.
‘I‘hnrherny. I A Brnth n Fin. My lim‘llnl Bernhardt.
21 Sybil L use; or, The Giunhlur’s Wife. lly Mrs. mum...“ h 9 Loved 1",“, RV Alice Fleming.
Ann  sbrim-fl”!- .\ Flrnnuo Mnrl'lllgc. By L] inn Imwjnv.
22 THIN“: "01' 30W 0P: A Tn“? Kninhi- BY MMNW‘ v Furlht- “'onlnn llelmvod. liy Arm-s M.§helion.
Luiuusler. Fnrhltldcn Bum. 15y Ar lnSnnLInw-rxh.
28 sinned Azulnnt. By Clnrn All-,tus'ln ’1‘“ 4) ‘l’nung: (:irln _ Alive l'lclniuu.
21- A Lovnl Inner. “3’ MINA-“nSnmhwnrih. A Point oi" llunor. , Lillinn i,nn_ .y.
25 The Country Cunnin. By Rum: l'v-nnwlkk '. A \\'omun'! “'ilt-he By Sam (‘lnxlnm
21$ Ilia Idol: "r, '1 ! Ill-SHIN“ Mill'mluu- “N MH- . /.\ .‘I'nthlnz: link-n]. li‘ Mrs. (.‘enruinnn liirlmnn.
MM." Re“ C'""“'“”- - 011i.“ [HI-d by lIvrM-li'. l’-y Arnholln Sumhwurlh.
27 Flu-ulna"; or. A Young Girl‘s Guml Nmnu. 1;; ~ ,4 n”. M)- An.., mung”.
Jannb Ahnrhunull (Ralph anul). ‘ 3y “mm, Inn-(uny.
28 Now unll Forever; or, Why Did She Mun-y Him? ‘
By ilenrlvnn ’i'hnckerny. I _ . . . x I l. ' nrginnn Dichem.
29 orphan hell. the Orange Girl; or, the Lmt llull‘. ' |:\-R,w)...1 nernlnwm
VAR“? 1’”"""- ' liln’inh u llenrt. _‘ Lillinn LN:
30 Charlotte Temple. llv Mn. Rowsnn. . A jumnvrflu. “m Arnhem. ,
31 The Little “ell't'lm “y . lur)‘ h “\‘I‘Wn- I‘mlor u (loud. .. . urn ("lnxvmn
82 Lea 'enr; nr,WnySlml‘rnp . ll ’ 1‘] w (‘ust ol'n Folly. llv Hrnrg' n Dickens.
88 In lte 01’ Herself; "r, 1- ' 4 r - ' l' Low-n )lo Km. lSv hnlinn I... V.
“Y '7‘ R'- s'mrw’md' . . “ lint She (‘n-t Illnl  . nnlhworih.
84 "or l‘nce‘Vnnller Fortune. "1' ElenlmranHW- A Bitter Mintnke. l} Aullexl Mnry SM] 1
35 The Clllmfl "QIH‘FH- n." 31”“ MW." “ 1’”""‘""~ l'nrted by Treachery. By llnrriut Irving
86 Only a. fiehoolmintren. lly Aruhrzlhr nihwmth. 9 1‘0","th Thmmflh Luv“ “y mum" Luwjny‘
87 The “'Illlted MCI‘M‘IIIWT‘S "Ty “Wimp! A” '"r H The “null ul‘Futv. liy Arabella Sunilnvr-rth.
Hefln- By M"- M“." RW'I U'""“r“- , “'0 "er (innrdiun'n Sacrifice. liy Sum (,‘lnxton.
88 Wm She a (Enquettc? 01‘. A Sunni-'0 Coill’lilnlh ‘ ml 1'"! to n 'l‘i'Nt. ll (hair-JamiDickens.
“3' “Hum” 'l‘hm'kemy- . . , I02 A shtch Crlmt In Azm Mm- sin-hon.
89 One “firmlnn’u llgelflTE-d  “W191;- K"“&"- d 103 in Love. a Mot-Rory! lly Aruhellll Sunthwnrlh.
\ - - or a r0 9 nrrm wore: an — . . . . .
40 LaymnPglnsnnnl‘urner, M: D. , 4 104 A \\ liliul “'ii‘e. By Lillmn Lovqny.

41 For Her Dear Sake. By Sin-"Clinton. ‘ 105 The Beautiful Demon. By Frances llclun

 

42 The Bou um; Girl. By Agile I'l-nnré I h nuwnlmg,
M dawn the l’rinm Donna. liy Arnhelln . vlli. uvnn . 4 . ,
:2 Th: Eluhl Mink; or. The Mun-lions Guurdiun. ‘06 A ‘ """R “"15 ordeal-
liy Mrs. Mnrv knell Crnwvll. ‘ h ‘ I t
45 Lucy Temple. Daughter of (lhnrl-ito. [07 "or I- \‘ll (-cniun. 15y llnrrmt lrvnig.
41] The Three Hialnrn. By Alice 1* luining. ‘ livmly June a.

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GBeadZe and Adam. ', J’L’LbZI's7Ler-S,
No. 98 William street. New York.

mi, NIIVIW

By Sara Clnx tan.

ilmhly June

_ m W, WWWWW,¢W;NWMWIIIINJ/Nxarz

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