Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-22
His undemonstratiyeness made me sus.

ton which gave no palpable signs of its
existence. I hungered for the touch Of
his lips, for the pressure Of his hand, for
anything which would make me believe
that his heart, if he possessed one, was
mine. Such tokens did not come and at
last, after waiting until hope had died
natural death, the longing in my heart
turned to dislike if not to hate.
At this time my husbands youngest
brother returned from foreign tour of
several years duration, and made his
home with u.s. With his entrance came
also the devil, clothed like an angel of
light to whisper enticing words into my
too willing ear.
I looked into this mans face, and with
out either Of us intending to be more than
a friend to the other, that invisible some
thing which binds souls past separation
flashed from his inner heart to mine, and
our fate was revealed. We were friends
truly, in that we kept intact and honor
the outward honor of each but we ha d
better have been the most cruel foes.
For weeks we were together, he know
ing we'll what was in my heart, and I
equally sure of his but not word pass
ed between us, though not for the lack of
opportunity. My husband seemed to be
blind Or Indifferent to us both. [ did not
try to see where I was going. I hardly
cared. only knew that something like
peace was brooding above my heart, and
that the smiling of Henry Vernon's eyes
was like the sweetness of heaven to nv
restless soul
There are quiet houses upon the volca-
no's side, you know, and what seems like
firm footing upon the crate2's brink
We had been out riding, Henry and I ::
and when we returned, just at dusk, a
summer dusk, with the moon coming up,
over the valley and hushing the careless
words upon our lips. while the yearning
beauty of the evening half intoxicated us
both, the curtain fell from between our
hitherto vailed hearts.
Before [ suspected his Intentions, The
man whom I had at least allowed to love
me, and who was, which was worse, than
all, my husbands brother, had bent over
me, and drawn my face to his with one
wild, mad kiss of passionate love. In a
moment saw the fire leaping from the
crater's mouth and | knew where I was
standing.
had been reared-eh, my sainted
mother in a far different school and
right was not wholly crushed out of my
heart yet. I forgot that had been as
bad as he, if not worse; and wrenching
myself from his grasp, I flung out the
words. You are a miserable coward
and flew into the house, and up to my
room, only to stumble into the close en-
brace of my husbands daughter.
1 have been a witness to the whole,
and pity you,' she SAID, as she kissed
me tenderly, but [ sbrank away from her
caresses with a sbudder, and put the length
Of the room between us.
Her father was my husband, and 1 hat
ed them both now for had I not wronged
thea both
She did not seem to mind my actions,
but locked the door carefully, and wait
ed until was quiet enough to listen TO
her
L am not going to reproaeh YOU she
said, though love for another beside
your husband is written upon your face,
FOR | pity you; but appeal to your own
sense of honor and justice. You arc right
at heart still, believe, though you are
astray now; but you must be true to
your marriage VOWS
I had better 60 home at once I said
BY no means, she answered quickly.
Henry sails tomorrow. and
[ stopped her.
Tomorrow? Oh. pity me 7
[ was covering at her feet in an agony
of pain, however wicked it might be,
while the angel at my side, as angel she
has truly been to me, was saying, I do,
I do, believe me-
She moved little, and I thought she
was going home.
Don't leave me am lost if you do
I cried, clinging to her like drowning
person.
4 am not going, poor dear. But lis
ten,' she said, keeping her voice steady
through it all. Henry sails tomorrow.
I know that he will be away for an indef-
mite period, probably for many years.
You must see him in my presence, confess
that you are wrong, and then get strength
from heaven to do what is right
She waited an hour or so until ! was
comparatively calm, and then sent for
him What they said at the door | could
not hear, but she spoke for several min