THE CURSE OF GOLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 20 July 1907, Page 3

THE CURSE OF GOLD.

Society opened her eyes and sniffed suspiciously when it became aware that Lane Herbert had suddenly left his fair young wife and gone out to the Far West—how far, heaven only knew.

Of course, there were plenty of wiseacres to say, " told you so!" and all the re&t of the exasperating things that busybodies are wont to indulge in when anything irrevocable has occurred, no matter how unexpected. But, though they obtained no satisfaction concerning the actual facts of the case, they pretended to know all about it and gossiped among themselves until the nine days' wonder died a natural death.

It may positively be affirmed, however, that Mrs Herbert never divulged her secret, though she was questioned and eross-questionad with that adroit impertinence so common among the better

classes. She continued to live on in the same open-handed, luxurious fashion, which I the men admired but the women characterised as little short of scandalous.

After a year had elapsed and Lane Herbert did not return, the. affair resolved itself into a positive mystery, and no wonder. Here was as beautiful a woman as the sun ever shone upon deserted by a man in every respect her equal, handsome, wealthy and accomplished. Tn starting out in life they ■had had everything that money and position could afford them.

In point of fact, there had been too much money, for to the ample fortune of young Herbert his wife brought a dowry in the neighborhood of a million. Therein resided the worm that defiled the heart of the rose. The facts of the case were these: Lane had his friends. Annette bad hers. Admiration was a certain pus-port to the young wife's favor, and all her husband's friends admired her, consequently Annette bad no fault to find with the set that dined at her table and thronged her drawing-room. Unfortunately for the harmony of their domestic relations. Lane entertain-

Ed opposite views on tin- subject. He was particular wlmm lie introduced to his home, and took objection to certain persons whom Annette cultivated. Hints to tliis effect were thrown out. both parlies mounted to high horses, and In nipture was the result. Tin' final disaster occurred one autumn morning'at the breakfast table. ■•Thank Heaven. Annette," observed l.ane. "for lite first time in many weeks shall we (line alone together to-night!" •But we shall not, dear," repied pretty Mrs Herbert, setting down her coffeecup and looking at her husband. exclaimed the latter with an noved surprise. ; 'Vo." •''Whom have you asked?" "Madame Borowskl and her friend. Mademoiselle Plaoide." 'Those women, again!" "Lane! Please remember you are speaking of ladies!" "They are not ladies, and I have as much as told you before. They are both adventuresses and no lit company

for . . ! Annette's fair face clouded with mdig nation, and she interrupted the impetuous burst with an Imperious gesture. "Stop!'' she said; "the ladies are. my friends., and I entertain whom I choose." "Tn spite of my wish to the contra rv?" "In spite of your wish to the contrary." r,i>i" Herbert crumpled up his napkin, i;:-,l it be-ide his plate, and rose to his feet. "Annette!" he said sternly. "Well?" with tantalising elevation of the arched eyol-rows. "If tVsc wown are coming T shall ii"t flipn at home this evenim/." "Tlieii you will dine elsewhere, I suppose."

Silence for a moment; the young husband went to the window, selected a pasmine from the jardinere and gloomily pulled its snowy petals apart, his wife watching him furtively from the corners of her eyes.

"Annette!" he said, with almost tragic fervor. "Annette, though you may not be aware of the- fact, we have drifted unconsciously to a decided turning point in our lives.

lie paused. Down went the dainty cup in its saucer with a ring. "Have you a lecture in contemplation?" she asked cuttingly. "No, no lecture; only a remark to make." "Well?"

"Either you give up your intimacy with women who make themselves the topic of light comment at the clubs and upon the racecourse or " "Well, you need not hesitate. Tray conclude." "Or you give me up."

Annette Herbert rose from her chair with proudly-Hashing eyes. "Fortunately I am my own mistress and can do as I sec fit. Ido not care one whit what your unmanly gossips of the clubs and racecourse say. Madame Borowski and Mndemoisellc Plaeide are my friends, and I shall champion them until 1 see reason to do otherwise." "That is your ultimatum?" "My ultimatum"; and she swept out of the room. That was the cause, and the sole cause, which led to this foolish estrangement and fatal separation. Both were in the wrong, yet neither thought so; and a mistaken sense of pride carried them from bad to worse. « • • « >

I In two years Lane Herbert found himself a ruined man. In his absence his bankers made luckless speculations; hard times set. in, and the fortune which always smiled at him spread her wings and soared away. What could he do? How turn himself?

Annette had still her fortune. Should he go back to her? Never! Perish the thought.

He had left his address for her with a mutual friend; she knew where to find him, yet she had not sent for him.

Now it was ail over between them; they would never meet. A slow, hopeless despair settled upon him and he sank beneath the burden.

Yet life was a stern necessity; ho must live.

He hired himself out for a mere pittance, and worked with a gang in the mines.

Returning one night to the low cabin he occupied, in company with a comrade, disheartened, sick and broken in spirit, he found his fire alight and a woman standing in the steady glow with outstretched arms. "Lane—husband!"

He uttered a low cry, as though he had seen a phantom, and staggered to a chair, into which he sank, breathless. She was on her knees Before him in an instant, her arms about his waist. "Forgive me," she cried with tears of penitence, "it has been a hard lesson, but T have learned it. Oh, Lane, come home!"

"I did not expect you," he faltered. "Why did you come to me?" "Could I come to you while the curse of gold separated us? No, Lane, I could not. But now I can lay my all at you feet, sue for your pardon, and beg you to accept all." "Annette, I cannot accept your money —your charity!"

"Money! Charity! Lane, are we lot one? What is mine is yours. Come, 'orget and forgive." And he forgot and forgave.