Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-10-16

awake. When she saw that / was apparently
asleep. she approached the bed and bathed my
brow. with her soft hand. Oh what sensation
came over me when felt her hand upon my
brow. and her slender fingers in the masses of
nv hair! Afterwards practiced the same de-
ception many times but at last spoilt it all my
self. For when she was bathing my brow I
foolishly exclaimed
.How very soft and soothing your hands
are!"
.Are YOU awake 2" she cried, sprnging back.
"Yes. and have been every time you have
bathed my head so nicely. Do not co." | said,
as saw she was about to leave the ROOM
"You make my head feel so much better. Re-
member it is sick man who asks of you this
favor"
She staid; but that was the last time | ever
felt her hands upon my brow.
"Do you know" asked, while her fingers
were still running over my temples, 'sthat
often wonder why you stay here know that
you are wealthy, and with as much beauty and
grace as you possess you would shine the bright
est star in any circle"
/ said this in the vain hope that she would
reveal to me something Of her past life, but was
disappointed.
II did once enjoy the world" she said, shut
grew tired of it and came here"
"Then our cases are similar, for | too have
grown strangely weary of the world and its
pleasures"
l thought she appeared little more interested
in me after said this. The days of my sick
ness flew rapidly they weressuch happy ones
And soon, may God forgive and pity me,
learned to love her with an idolatrous love-
| knew nothing of her past history, not even her
name, only that she was very beautiful and that
hoo oil I NJ l
knew it not, rushing, with closed eyes, on to my
own destruction! And thus loved on, madly
doating upon every word her lips uttered, and
every smile she bestowed upon me, until l was
entirely recovered. Then | had no excuse for
longer delay, and so, after gaining her per-
mission to call upon her soon, l returned to my
home at the 6sherman's cot. | staid there three
days, in fact till could stay no longer. Then
went to make my promised CALL and it was
but little past midday when rang the bell at
the door OF the cottage on the sea shore. One
of the servants answered the summons.
"Is-is''-I hesitated from my inability to
pronounce her name-''is the lady of the house
in?"
Mrs. Cloyes2 Yes! Will you walk in sir2"
Mrs. Oloyesl Oh what does he mean2 Is
she, the being love so tondly-the ideal have
sought after so long in vain--is she found at last
but to be lost2 Is she wife? This thought
burned like fire into my brain, as followed him
| up into the gorgeous parlors.
| She sat alone, by the window looking forth,
| and the moment the servant had gone l stood
with clasped hands before her.
ssTell me-are you-rnar-married2 2" gasped,
| holding out my arms towards her. II have
loved you so devotedlJ, so fondly, and are you
| can YOU be-lOst to Inc forevers No, oh no
| It must not, shall not bel Mrs. Oloyes2 Tell
me. is not this some dreadful mistake7"
I stood. white and motionless, before her, a.
waiting her answer. She must have thought
me wid-insane-bu she did not say SO.
sThat is my name, but how came you &C
quainted with it2" She asked calmly.
ssThe servant told me at the door. Then it
| is all too true! You are lost, lost now and for
ever, to me !" / said, with bitter sigh.
.sMrs. Cloyes is my name but am not now
a wife," she answered, looking up trustingly in
to my face "My husband is dead!"
l seized her hand impulsivey and carried it
to my lips.
81 must tell you something of my past history.
had wished to keep it a secret, but it is my
duty to make you acquainted with it. / was an
orphan and welded Athel Cloyes at a very early
age. I thought loved him then but soon found
nv mistake. He was wealthy, talented and
handsome, all that one could desire in hus-
band, bat still l could not love bim. We lived
together one short year, and then, | sometimes
think, be had discovered my want of affection
for him, took his departure for Europe. On the
passage out the vessel was lost, and every soul
on board perished, and ! was lift wealthy wild
ow, yet wholly alone in the world. | was
tired of nv city friends and sick of society, and
80 came to this place and have lived here a.
Lore since then."
"And you are free-free to love me and be my
wife p asked eagerly.
s.Yes!"
s'And you will?"
81 must tell you the truth. do love you'll
1 have loved you ever since watched over your
sick bed"
.sBless you bless you'll" l cried catching her
proud form in my arms and pressing her tondly
to my heart. l still held her till heard foot
steps outside the door, and man never saw
before entered.
ssWhat is the meaning of all this?" he asked,
strding up to me and placing his hand heavily
upon nv shoulder. s'By what right, sir, do you
hold that lady in your arms!"
/ felt the loved form tremble ID my arms, and
saw her face grow pale and rigid as marble
when he spoke thus.
Rather let me ask you by what right you
enter, thus rDdely, lady's apartments un.
announced2" said, shaking off his grasp, and
threatening him with blow with my disen-
gagged band.
"Don't, Lynn, don't!D she cried, springing be-
tween us, ''for-he-he-is my has6and!'
She uttered these words in q strange, choking
tone, casting upon me such look OF pity and
love as never shall forget.
Your HUsBAND!" l gasped, staggering to the
wall with sudden faiutness.
"The sea has given up its dead!'
eyes, and this is a strange welcome to give
me upon my return. Have you not single
word of welcomed"
"Mv AtAez 7" she answered, springing into
his arms. vet casting yearnDg look upon me.
.sStella," | cried, "wiil you not come to
me2"
"No. no. must not We must part forever
Nv duty is plain. Go! and think of me ever as
one who wronged you, though unwittingly."
left. but felt that / carried her heart with
me. / afterwards learned that they went i'm
mediately to Europe. This mysterious event
has bent nv form and silvered my hair before
ts time This has made the earth place of
tears and sorrow to me! Oh Stella! Stella |"
I have again visited the cottage on tie sea
shore! walked up the graveled walk towards
her house. 1t was just such July day as when
| first awoke from my long sleep, years ago.
The front door was slightly sjar. | pushed it
noiselessly open. and went up to the very room
where we last parted. There, at the same win
dow where she had sat- was black robed fe-
male form. with her head resting upon her
hands. gave enc quick, sure glance, and then
opened my arms.