Jolly Sally Pendleton; Or, the Wife Who Was Not a Wife
Pendleton bit her lip to keep back the angry retort but wisely made no reply. "It will never do to have the least disagreement with my wealthy, haughty son-in-law if I can help it," she said to herself. "Especially as my husband is in such sore straits, and may have to come to him for a loan any day."

The following week Jay Gardiner and his bride reached Newport. The season was at its height. Yachts crowded the harbor; the hotels were filled to overflowing; everyone who intended going to Newport was there now, and all seemed carried away on the eddying current of pleasure. Young Mrs. Gardiner--_née_ the pretty Sally Pendleton--plunged into the vortex of pleasure, and if her greed for admiration was not satisfied with the attention she received, it never would be. Young Mrs. Gardiner knew no restraint. Her society was everywhere sought after. She was courted in every direction, and she took it all as her just due, by virtue of her marriage with the handsome millionaire, whom all the married belles were envying her, sighing to one another: "Oh! how handsome he is--how elegant! and what a lordly manner he has! But, best of all, he lets his wife do just as she pleases."

But the older and wiser ones shook their heads sagaciously, declaring they scented danger afar off. Little did they dream that the terrible calamity was nearer than they had anticipated.

Although, outwardly, young Mrs. Gardiner and her handsome husband lived ideal lives, yet could one have taken a peep behind the scenes, they would have seen that all was not gold that glittered. In their own apartments, out of sight of the world's sharp eyes, Jay Gardiner and his wife used each other with the scantest possible courtesy. He never descended to the vulgarity of having words with her, though she did her utmost to provoke him to quarrel, saying to herself that anything was better than that dead calm, that haughty way he had of completely ignoring her in his elegant apartments. During what everyone believed to be the most blissful of honeymoons, Sally learned to hate her proud husband with a deadly hatred.

On the evening Mr. Victor Lamont made his appearance at the Ocean House, there was to be a grand ball given in honor of the guests, and, as everyone had hoped, Mr. Lamont strolled in during the course of the evening, accompanied by mine host, who was over head and ears with delight in having such an honored guest stopping at his hotel. Scores of girlish eyes brightened as they entered the arched doorway, and scores of hearts beat expectantly under pretty lace bodices. But their disappointment was 
 Prev. P 85/179 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact