The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-02

fOsaltha looked up. Her visitor
was what is called a gay Quaker. Her
toilet was expensive, but extremely
neat, and was pervaded, through all its
tasteful interchange of color, with one
quiet, natural hue. which blent it into
a rich, yet simple whole. Her faco,
was so sweet, so modest, SO candid,
that it put You in mind Of magnolia
blossom. She was apparently about
twenty years of age, well formed, and
decidedly stylish. f Ha ~ ~
is this Mrs. Trafford n she asked.
Rosaltla looked more steadily attic
new conner, and anunquiet feeling took;
possession of her bosom. ...ss
Eyes," she said, "won't you be scat
ed n and rising, she offered her visitor
chair. '-fsi
The pretty Quakeress sat down and
gazea with .undisguised curiosity at
ROsaltha. ID
$780," she. said, "you ale Elleray
Trafford's wife?n .3i''i 2 . -
eyes, assensed Rosaltl,a, .oncc more,
hardly knowing how to accept her Wis.,
itor's manner. raj s. iafT b ,
There was moment of embarrassed
pause. .7l4 saa
"May ask" said RosaItha, then, sta
what l owe the pleasure of this visit ~
ooh, yes; certainly" replied the
Quakeress, with emphasis, 'My name
my maiden name, that is, is Dorothy
Dilworth."
Rosaltha half rose from her chair.
the blood starting to- her cheek. Then
she checked the impulse, with half
smile at her jealous credulity, and re-
seating herself, quickly said: 81 hare;
heard that name before"
"From Llleray, pcrhaps"
"From Mr.. Trafford 2" asked Rosal-
tina. "No; from his sister, Miss Dill
WORTH
The next moment she regretted hay..
ing spoken in q harsh tone, for her Wis
itor began to show very evident marks
OF agitation. Her fine blue eyes filed
with tears, her exquisite red lips trem-
bled, and pulling forth her pocket
handkerchief, she hid her face therein
for few moments. s8F
A wild, indefinite suspicion 'sprang
into Rosaltha's heart, and she trembled
with the violence of her feelings. She
constrained herself to rise, however, to
bend over her weeping visitor, and in
quire, with some appearance of SYM
pathy, what was fhe matter. For
some time the young girl refused to be-
comforted. At length she raised her
head-aud1 she looked more lovely
through her tears, thought Rosaltha,
than when her features had been COM
posed-and looking with great effort
into Rosaltha's face, exclaimed:
"How can tell p
"Tell me what" exclaimed Rosal-
tina. 'For Heavens sake, don't tor
ture ME. Anything il better than this
suspense. What is there, Miss Dill
worth, that you have got to tell me that.
ought to know p 10
"You ought to know that that is not
my name any longer. You bear the
name that have the better right TO-.
and that is" s3Tst545si - el1
"What 7" exclaimed Rosaltha, in hor-ss
rified tones. $3.50 s---~--
"rrafford." SsH fi'''''i
Rosaltha withdrew Che hand she had,
laid upon the girls shoulder. Tho
contact seemed to sting her with FREE
She reflected intensely for minute OF
two, and then her courage returned., u.
"You must be- insane,n she said
"Why do'you come here when my nus
band is QUIT Why do you bring mn;
such tale as thiss You dare not cons
front him with it. It is all f.l,es.
hood I" go s.te
'Do I look as though were acting q
falsehocd 2" asked the pretty Quaker
ess, raising her tear-stained eyes To
Rosalsha's face. "No, Mrs. Traffofdy1
and her exquisite lips trembled again
j-"what l say is too true. I had no
opportunity to warn you before; or
should have warned. I saw your arri.
val in the morning papers, and came
to you at once, at the risk of meeting
him. Forgive me, if l render you mis-
cradle; but perhaps my grief has made
me selfish. have been miserable my
self for. the last year-ever since he
made me his wife"
t "His wife," repeated Rosaltba. i,
D seemed as thrugh the heavens would
a burst, or the ground open at her feet.
e 81 swear to you ann his wife--his
J. true aud lawful wife,, continued the
V visitor. sit is nearly one year ago
since we were married. l do believe
that once, when was innocent Doro.
e thy Dilworth, he really loved me. At
e ter our marriage we lived togethe
q happily just one week. From tina
hour to this have never laid eyes up
on Elleray Trafford but should kpo,