The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-08-04
the summer. house. and there found my

i "Good Heavens, Carolincw Iexclaimed;
"you out on such an ovenins-you 80 deli.
cato?" She was shivering with cold. "Who
was here?" said. ..j..
She shivered still more, and replied, tim
idly, "Nostranger has been here, Reginald "
"What!" said I; no one up tho walk
from the bridget
She appeared frightened, again shuddcrcd,
and gazing with hcr large eyes in my face,
she repeated, "No stranger has been here. "
looked at her earnestly. Her eyes droop.
ed; she was CHASTITY pale.
"Well, my dearest" said. "let mo muf-
ac you we'll you are very imprudcnt in so
exposing yourself to the damp air."
wrapped her large shawl around her
from one of it's folds fell to the ground a
glove. 1t dropped from behind, and she did
no. see it. 1t was lavender kid glove that
had been worn by a man.
will not speak much Of my feelings that
night. Hundreds Of trivial things came
rushing and crowding into my memory-all
Of them, each of thom, confirmation that tho
worst was true of her.
Her detection, her frequent weeping over
the letters, were now accounted for. Had
she not often und often withdrawn from the
in the evenings, and staid long away, return
ing with overladcn excuses? Had not seen
her, more than once OF late, drop q letter in.
to the receiving box Of tho post-offcc, when
she might have put it in my mailbag at the
house? Had not seen.hcr nervously start
ing ut the slightest noise, when seated in the
twilight ut the window in her little sitting
room which overlooked the garden? ..
She walked into the house before me. and
I had time to collect myself. ] pleaded
headache. and retired into my library. She
knew that never could bear the presence Of
any one when III, and | was safo from inter.
ruption. Amidst the whlrling dance Of mad
dcning thoughts no idea OF revenge on her
had any place. don't believe in the COM
monly.received opinion that real love can be
changed into hate. could not hate her.
even thought with pity Of the outer sor
row that could not lail to bc hers in this
world lorcvermore. fg,arg ri .la. a.
But him--he escape me No. How best
to proceed? "Shall 20 and question my
groom, who must from the stables have some
times witncssrd their stolen interviews"
No. my instincts rcvol,ed ut the idea of talk
ing to groom about her, fallen angel though
she was. would do 1t all myself. My
plans were soon formed. Early next morn
ing rode to our littlo town and sent back,
by my servant, u note to my vile, stating
that was compelled to start for the city
that moment to make some arrangements
about my voyage, and that should be alb
sent at least week. I then went to D
purchased light colored wig, large pair
Of green spcct.cles, and, disguised with these
and a large beard and mustache, returned to
our village, where engaged apartments op-
posite the poss.office. There | remained on
tho watch. . .'. sr. r|.'
Three days after my supposed departure,
my wife's carrlsgc drove up to the shop kept
by the postmaster. Previous to her enter
ing tho shop, l saw her dropa notc into tho
letter box. After few minutes delay In
making purchases she drove of again.
Late in the afternoon, n tall, distinguished
looking man, with travelling. g.cap, its peak
closely drawn down over his face, entered the
shop I felt this to bc my enemy. saw
him receive Q letter from the postlnaStcr's
wife and hastily walk away. ! hurried to
tho shop. and in broken English asked IL
thero wero lsttsrs for Mr.. eThirl3 Sho re-
piled in the negative, but | earnestly request
cd her to look over all tho letters. This was
in order to gain time for question or two
| inquired who was that fine looking man
who had just gonc out Of tho shop? She
didn't know; he was stranger. But was
not his name on his letters? Oh yes; the
name was Mr.. Thornton. but he didn't live
in the village. Had he bcenlong in the hab-
it Of coming fol. lctters2 Not very long.
!, 4 walked forth in the direction OF my home.
Il was nearly dusk when came within
sight Of that spot where my bliss in life had
been. Over tho wet spongy fields, over
crutnbling fences. through swollen water.
courses, ! had come, but danger and fatigue
were anfelt. About half mile IRON the
house / saw a horse tied up to q fence. lie
was with her thsn.i -it % ssFIbbs 90 gael
q lihid myself close to the bridge for al
while, until darkness should conceal my1
movements. Itheu, hurried across and up
preached the summer house noiselesly. They
were not there. No. OF course they were
in the house then. was not long left in
indccision as 70 my, next step, The window
of her sitting.room opened, and there they
stood, within q few, yards Of me, his arm
thrown around her waist. lheard, him,
saw him kiss her; l heard her kiss him
I heard his impassioned "Good,bye." and
then, with tho noiseless step of fate, / has.
tened BY a near cut to tho bridge. 49,
I crossed II, showed the ends Of three
n - : "a -