Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1870-05-12

suspense. He did not love me II
never occurred TO me that he
might be detained against his will
When, at last, the clock was on the
stroke of three l caught the quick
tramp Of his horses feet. But it
did not greatly relieve me. l felt
angry, and instead or running
down to meet him, as my woman's
nature prompted me, | yielded to
my petted wayward will, and kept
my seat He did not stop to take
down the bars, but cleared them
with lep. When he reached the
porch, he sprung down, flushed
and eager.
Violet" he cried, the moment
he caught sight Of me, "are you up
yet9 l am so sorry"
He approached with both hands
extended. But l turned from him,
and walked to the other end of the
porch.
He stood for a moment in silent
astonishment, then followed, and
took my hand, though kept my
face persistently averted.
"Violet," he said, "what is it p
Are you ill, tired? l was so sorry
to keep you waiting, but circum-
stances-"/
"Never mind the circumstances
nowp 1 exclaimed, pettishly. II
am very tired, and now that l know
that you are safe, l will go to bed,"
He loosed his hold on my hand,
and looked after me, as l left him,
with a glance l shall never forget.
l can see him now as he stood in
the moonlight, SO handsome and
noble; and l loved him so well!
l wonder why | turned from him
that night God knows how it
panied me. But the spoiled, wilful
temper, that has been my ruin, urg-
ed me on.
Did you ever speak a harsh
word to one you love, and feel
something within you propting you
to speak another? Then you un-
derstand how it was that left my
husband standing there, weary and
supperless.
"Violet, dear" he said softly, as
paused invoiuntarily at the head
of the stairs, come back and let me
explain; you know l have not kept
you waiting willingly"
But went ON without a word,
not to our chamber, but to a little
dressing g-room exclusively my own,
and closed and locked the door
l am 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
he called my name softly; but |
did not answer-and he went away.
A dozen times that night | lifted
my throbbing head from my tear
wet pillow to 60 out to him and i'm
pIore his forgiveness, but pride
kept me back. Thus l lay sleep
less, till morning. 1t was a wild
morning, too, with drifting rain
and sobbing winds, and the sea
laundering on the strand.
My husband was already in the
breakfast room when ] went down.
He turned, and said kindly:
"Good-moming, dear Are you
quite we'll ?"
"Quite well, thank you," ! re-
sponded, crossing to a window on
the opposite side of the room. He
arose and hoped he was coming to
my side, but he only looked at his
watch, and said
"Be kind enough to let me have
breakfast at once, Violet, if you
can. am in hurry, for / have
important matters to look after"
| rang the bell at once, and
placed myself at the head of the
table. When the cheerless repast
was over, and my husband rose to
go, l felt the hot tears binding me.
| could not let him leave me in an
ger. / had made step toward him,
when he spoke, and his words
reused all my old anger and dis
content.
"Violet," he said, II may not be
here to dinner. Don't wait for me ;
it is impossible"
snake no excuses, sir" l replied,
haughtily; "none are needed"
Oh those sad reproachful eyes
But his lips uttered no retort. He
only said, good-by, dear" and went
out.
/ watched him from the window
hidden behind the curtain, as he
rode away through the driving
rain.
Tho memory of that day comes
back to me like a terrible dream =
Toward evening my agony became
and as the rain pour
edin torrents ! determined to drive
over to my husbands office in the
village, About half
way, we met a covered carriage,
containing q lady and gentleman.
"Why that's Mr.. Reade" ex-
claimed my driver, as the vehicle
dashed past us.
One glance confirmed his words.
It was my husband, and by his
side was the same woman that
lqd seen with him once before
My resolution was taken on the in
slant. 1 ordered my servant to
lrive back to Swans Nest. would