Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-23

Rosaltha looked up. Her visitor was what
is called a CAV Quaker. Her toilet was ex-
pensive, but extremely neat, and was per-
vaded through all its tasteful interchange Of
color, with one quiet, neutral hue, which
blent it into a rich, yet simple whole. Her
face was so sweet, so modest, so candid, that
it put you in mind of a magnolia blossom.
She was apparently about twenty years of
age, well formed, and decidedly stylish.
is this Mrs. Traford p she asked.
Rosaltha looked more steadily at the new
conner, and an unquiet feeling took posses
sion of her bosom.
Yes" she said won't you be seat
ed?'' and rising she offered her visitor a
chair
The pretty Quakeress sat down, and gazed
with urdisguised curiosity at Rosaltha.
''So," she said, you are Elleray Traf
ford S wife?'
Yes assented Rosaltha, once more,
hardly knowing how to accept her visitor S
manner.
There was moment embarrassed pause.
MAY I ask, said Rosaltha then, TO
what owe the pleasure of this visit?'
''Oh, yes ; certainly" replied the Qua
keress, with emphasis. NY name-my
maiden name, that isis Dorothy Dill
worth"
Rosaltha half rose from her chair, the
blood starting TO her cheek. Then she
checked the impulse with half smile at
her jealous creduhty, and ressating herself
quickly said
81 have heard that name before
From Elleray, perhaps?"
From Mr. Trafford r asked Rosaltha,
with spirit. "No: from his sister, Miss
Dilworth
The next moment she regretted having
spoken in harsh tone, for her visitor be
gan to show very evident marks of agita-
ton Her fine blue eyes filed with tears,
her exquisite red lips trembled, and pulling
forth her pocket handkerchief, she hid her
face therein for few moments.
A wild, indefinite suspicion spraDg into
Rosaltha' heart, and she trembed with the
violence of her feelings. She constrained
herself to rise, how ever, to bend over her
weeping visitor, and inquire, with some ap-
pearaDce of sympathy, what was the matter.
For some time the young girl refused to be
comforted. At length she raised her head
and she looked more lovely through her
tears, thought Rosaltha, than when her
features had been posed-and, looking
with great effort into Rosaltha's face, ex-
claimed
How can I tell you?'
Tell me what, exclaimed Rosaltha +:
For Heavens sake, don't torture me.
Anything is better than this suspense.
What is there, Miss Dilworth, that you
have got to tell me that ought to know 2
you ought TO know that that is not my
my name any longer. 1ou bear the name
that | have the better right to, and that i:
-"
What" exclaimed Rosaltha, in horri
fed tones.
'Trafford -
Rosaltha withdrew the hand she hac
placed upon the girls shoulder The con-
tact seemed to sting her with fire. She re
hected intensely for a minute or two, ano
then her courage returned.
"You must be insane, she said: VIII,
do you come here when my husband is out
Why do you bring me such tale as this
You dare not confront him with it. 1t Il
all falschood.' -
DO l look as though / was acting
falsehood ?'' asked the pretty Quakeress
raising her tear stained eyes to Rosaltha
face. "No, Mrs. Trafford, and her exquisite
lips tremblcd again, what l say IS too true
| had no opportunity to warn you before, oI
should have warned. l saw your arriva
in this mornings papers, and L came t'
you at once at the risk of meeting nm
Forgive me if | render you miserable; bu
perhaps my grief has made me selfish
have been miserable myself tor the last yea
ever since he made me his wife-
His wife y repeated Rosaltha. L
seems as though the heavens would burst
or the ground open at her feet
Il swear to you | am his wife-his tru'
| and lawful wife" continued the visitor. VI
do believe that once when L was innocen
Dorothey Dilworth, he really loved me. AT
ter our marriage we lived together happil,
lust one week. From that hour to this
have never laid eyes upon Elleray Trafford
but | should know him-know him any
where at all. "
She stopped, noticing the change thai
had overspread Rosaltha's face. 1t hac
become very pale, and she swayed backward
as though she would have fallen. In an in
slant the arms of the other were around he
and the visitor would have touched her lip
to her cheek. But Rosaltha, recovering
herself pushed her coldy away.
"You have had your satisfaction, sait
Rosaltha, ''You have taken your revenge
Leave me. If it is any satisfaction for yor
to know that you have ruined my peace for
ever. enjoy that satisfaction, but leave me
that is all ask.
| A moments compunction overshadoweG
the fair face of Dorothy.
"Do not let us part as enemies. she
said, stretching forth her hand See,
wouid have kissed YOU If YOU would have