The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-02
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her cheek. But Rosaltha, recovering
herself, pushed her coldly away.
'sYau have had your satisfaction"
said Rnsaltha. "You have taken your
revenge. Leave me. If it is any sat
isfaction for you to know that you have
ruined my peace forever, enjoy that
satisfaction, but leave me; that is all |
ask"
A moments compunction overshad-
owed the fair face of Dorothy.
"Do not let us part as enemies" she
said, stretching forth her hand. "see,
I.would even have kissed you if you
would have let me- l bear you no i'll
will. I owe you no grudge. l have
taken no revenge. Only could not
bear my load of misery any longer
alone, and wrong as it was, in order to
make you sharer in it, have made
you miserable. Forgive me. Let us
part as friends, never to see each other
more. Let us be as sisters. But as
for that man"
"Hush - said Rosaltha, raising her
hand; "not a word against him, though
he has treated us both sbamefully. He
is your husband. You have the best
right to him. Do you think l could
live withshim after this? Never. He
is to me no more from this moment, SO
far as anything more than remember
ing him goes, than if he had never
been. To love him and to live with
him longer would be crime in the
sight of Heaven and man. Do not go!
You must stay until he returns. Then,
together, we will confront him."
Even while she was speaking, steps
were heard in the corridor; and the
next moment Elleray Trafford entered
the room.
The sight he met there was strange
one. Rosaltha stood facing him, stand
ing by the mantel-piece, her form
erect, and proud, her hands tightly
clenched in one another. At the cen
tre-table sat Dorothy, her face buried
in her pocket handkerchief among the
books and pictures, and her shoulders
heaving convulsiyely, telling of the
struggle within her breast.
He looked from one to the other in
amazement, and an undefnable ex-
preston passed over his face. To the
day of her death Rosaltha never forgot
it. He passed quickly over to her and
would have taken her hand, but she
repulsed him.
"Don't touch me-" she said, "you
VI
She tried to pronounce the harsh
word, but memories of the golden
hours of her courtship overwhelmed
her, her lip trembled, and she burst
into tears.
sFor Gods sake, what does this
meant Rosaltha, won't you speak to
met What is this mystery What
does this woman want here7"
He turned to confront Dorothy, but
her face was still hidden, and her sobs
filled the room. Rosaltha it was who
commanded herself and spoke first.
"Here is your wife--ask her," she
said, pointing to Dorothy. "From this
hour, Elleray Trafford, you are no
more to me than if yoa had never
crossed my path"
AS though by an inspiration, and
without any process of logic, Elleray
strobe up to where Dorothy was weep
ing.
"Who are you, woman? 2" lie cried,
and laid strong arm upon erslender
shoulder.
The head was still bowed. Shame,
or fear, or anguish, still caused that
gentle face to be concealed, although
the sobs came fast and thick.
Eileray paused once more, looking
first at one woman and then at the 9th I
or, in what Rosaltha took to be the
well-affected extremity of surprise. A
second time he laid his hand upon the
woman's shoulder, and this time with
a still rougher hand.
stWho are you," he shouted. ''Speak,
or -n
"Me7 0, I'm Dick ~ exclaimed a
voice.! almost inaudible, through its
laughter; and the next mo-
ment the visitors head was thrown
back, and peal after peal of utterly ir-
restrainable boyish laughter rang
through the parlor.
Elleray and Rosaltha stood there
like people in a dream, utterly falling
at first to comprehend the situation.-E
Meanwhile, there sat their visitor, ev-
cry moment exploding in fresh vol
ley, and pointing and gesticulating at
them in most unladyhke manner.
"Dont speak to me don't come near
mel" he exclaimed, his face growing
scarlet with laughter. 81 shall split
know I shall! 0, what fun I! what
larks! BY jingo! l said I'd make
you pay for disappointing me, and So l
have. Miss Dorothy Dilworth! Ellie
r. ~ l.