Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-06-02

He loosencd bis hold on my hand, but
looked after me as | left him, with a
glance | shall never forget. I can see
him now, as he stood in the moonlight,
SO handsome and noble; and loved him
SO we'll | wonder why turned from him
that uight? CD knows how it panied
me. But the spoiled, willful temper. that
has been my ruin, urged me on.
Did you ever speak harsh word to one
you loved, and feel something within you
prompting you to speak another? Then
you understand how it was that left my
husband standing there, weary and sup
PEERLESS.
Violet, DEAR he said, softly, as I
paused Involuntary at the head of stairs,
come back and let me ex plain you know
have not kept you waiting willingly
But went on without word, not to
our chamber, but to little dressing room
exclusively my own, and closed and lock-
ed the door. [ an sure the Evil one must
have had control of me that night. In a
little while he came up stairs, and tried
the lock Of my door; then lie called my
name softly ;, but did not answer-and
he went away
A dozen times that night I lifted my
throbbing head from my tear-wet pill low
to go out to him and implore his forgive
ness, but pride kept me back. Thus I
lay sleepless, till morning. It was wild
morning; too, with drifting rain and sob
bing winds, and the sea laundering On
the strand.
Ny husband was already in the break
fast room when went down. He turned
and said kindly:
Good morning, dear. Are you quite
we'll 2
Quite we'll. thank YOU responded,
crossing TO window on the opposite side
OF the room. He rose, and I hoped he
was coming to my side. but he only look
ed at his watch, aud said:
BE kind enough to let ne have break
fast at once. Violet, il you can am 10
hurry, for have important matters to
look after
| rang the bell at once. and placed my
self st the head of the table When the
cheerless repast was over, aud my husband
| iUsG W ~; L ACIe liS AOV tGdAn p1luttihSS
me. could not let him leave me in an
ger had made a step towards him when
he spoke, and his words reused all my old
anger aud discomfort
Violet be said, i may not be here to
dinner. Don't wait for me it is impossi-
| tie
Make no excuses, sir, | replied, hsugh-
tiiy ; none are needed
Oh those sad, reproachful eyes Bat
his lips uttered no retort. He only said /:
Good-bg, dear. and went out.
| watched him from the window, hidden
behind curtain. as b e rode away through
the driving rain.
The memory Of that day comes back to
me like terrible dream Towards even
ing my agony became uncomfortable and
as the rain poured il torrents. determin-
ed to drive over 10 my husbands Office in
the neighboring village About half way.
we met a covered carriage, containing a
lady and gentleman.
EWhy, that's Mr. Readcr exclaimed
my driver, as the vehicle dashed past US.
One glance confirmed his words. 1t
was my husband and by his side was the
same woman that had seea with him
once before. lily resolution was taken on
the instant I ordered my servant to drive
back to Swan's-Nest [ would not wait
my husbands return, said to myself; /
could not even charge him with his inf
deity; I would 50 away at once. and never
let him see my face again.
In short time was ready for my de,
parture. wrote note for Horace. tell
lug him that [ believed our marriage had
been an unwise one. and that should be
happier with MY own friends. [ begged
him not to haunt me down as fugitive ;
but to leave me to follow the bent of my
inclination put the note upon his tai bic,
and then went out from the home, where
my life had been so happy. In less than
a week, father and | we're on our way to
Europe.
At the expiration Of two wretched
years we returned and learned from
our lawyer that my husband had sailed
for China, first making over TO me in free
simple, all his real estate. He never, 50
the lawyer said, expected to return. |
went back to Swan's-Nest. Everything
was IN hanged. The rooms were just as
[ had lelt them. Ny husband would not
let them be touched, the house-keeper said
Had she ever heard from him 2 / asked.
'Ouly once,' she replied, and then the let
ter contained another it was on my
dressing table I went for it myself, and
read it. sit ing there in our old room.
Violet, it began, you must pardon
this intrusion. It will be the last. for,
in all human probability, the disease that
nov consume me will soon give nae a
grave in foreign land But there are
few things wish to say before die. !
was wrong not to explain all to you from
the first. Bu! desire to spare you what
you might consider disgrace. | thought
YOU could and would trust me. II was
my sister you saw. She vas vain and
frivolous, and olopel With prodigate. =
The marriage was illegal. aud Ethel was
disgrace She came to me for help.
coulI not refuse her vas taking her to
a safe asylum when / vas absent that
night You understand it all now. Don't
be troubled. dear, bus forget me, aud be
happy Ny sister is dead now. and 4
have not, I fear, long to live. God bless
you, dear = IN heaven all these wrongs
Will be righted.
For two years I lived alone at Swans
Nest-two years OF inexpressible agony !;
then the news came A steamer, home
wawd bound, from Calcutta. was lost,
r 6