Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-11-07


Jasper Meade, the husband, wealthy
southern merchant had brought his
bride to the noted resort on their we'd
ding tour. The wife, brilliant, beauti-
fI woman, in the full bloom of her
marvellous charms had already set the
watering place bellies in tiutter of ieal-
GUS approximations gis-.
As the lady sat in her room, this sui
try afternoon istlessly turning the
leaves OF book and tanning herself
her husband entered The apathy gave
place to smile Of welcome, her arms
went around his neck, and warm kiss
told OF mutual love. = 80
"Why, Jasper" playfully chided the
wife, you've been gone more than an
hour 49,
$50 l have, Crista," assented the hus-
band, ''and that isn't the worst. Tn
afraid l shall have to go away immedi-
ately, to be gone until tomorrow. /
1 have, quite unexpectedly, to 60 to
hitehall-that's few miles north of
here-on very urgent business.
"Wel', Jasper if you must go, I sup
pc e tn, re is no help for it; but l shall
be terribly lonely"
81 am very sorry, my darling and
he tenderly stroked the fond head that
lay upon his shoulder ''but you must
try and not be lonesome You can take
phaton ride to the lake this afternoon,
when it gets little cooler-you know
| the road?"
| eyes"
"Good-byc, then"
"Good-bye."
Later in the day, when the heat had
somewhat subsidized, Mrs. Meade started
alone on her drive to the lake, which is
favorite RESI- 1T of the people Of Sara
toga. She found the drive delightful,
and, returning, for the sake Of variety,
turned off a by-road which she knew led
by more circuit ous way to the village.
This road proved longer than she ex-
pected, and the Shadows deepened into
twilight before she was. aware of the
lateness Of the hour
Just as Mrs. Meade had begun to get
little nervous; for the darkness rapid
ly increased in intensity, she saw a man
pproaching. He drew off to one side
OF the road to let the vehicle pass; but
when opposite the ponys head, he stop
ped and peered intently at the face of
Mrs. Meade.
1t YVES John Berger; and, in the beau
tif1l woman who sat in the heton, he
recognized his wife, Nell,
His hand flew to the ponys head like
a flash, Terribly frightened, but think
ing the fellow was drunk and harmless,
: Nell-for she it was-tried to control
her unsteady voice.
'sStand aside, she commanded
But the man did not drop the rein.
Turning slightly, so that the rising
moon threw its rays upon his face, he
said:
'sNell, don't you know. me?"
The same light thai revealed his
features showed ghastly pallor creep
ing over Nell's face.
''My God! yes!' she cried. Il no
ped you were dead"
''Did you?" and the mans sneering
tones showed that ten years had not
changed his rough, brutal nature. ''Now,
that's nice greeting for husband, al
ter so long, isn't it,"
Nell made no reply. Utterly dumb
founded by the suddenness of the meet
ing, she only slowly collected her
thoughts.
''And how blessed nice you're look
ing" continued Berger, as he coolly adj
vanced to the side Of the ph;eton, and
took the reins from her resistless hands;
'sand what fine clothes you're wearing.
How'd you get emp
Honestly" she replied, ard there
was Something ef the wonted tnmaess
in her tone.
''You lie, Nell!'' retorted the man
insolently ''you didn't. Is it honest
for We man to have two husbands at
n re? You married Jasper Mes de for
his money. l know all about it. -
"Now you are liar, John Berger,
said Nell, unsteadily. 81 married him
because loved him-because he is good
and because he loved me.
Does he know that ycu are already
married? No; know We II enough that
he didn't. But won't lie be knocked
over when he does, though"
"Will you tell him?'
Ger, ain, sure, Nell, unless I'm paid
mighty well for not doing it. You see
Nell, I'm mighty hard up-been roam
ing about for the ten years since well,
since left you so sudden. Now I'm a
hostlei here in the village-sleep in the
stable, and don't like it. Yesterday
see you-knowed you, Nell, in mirinit;
for all your fine fixings. So, | inquired
about you; and now my fortunes made. G
Your fortune is made?" repeated
Nell.
Certain, Nell. You're going to pay
me well for kee ping my mouth shut. l
don't claim you nor pry into how you
have spent the time since left, nor
ask how you've hooked your rich
husband-so long as | can make more
by keeping mum.
By this time Nell had fully recovered
her selfpossession. She knew the man
with whom she had to deal-knew that
it was useless to appeal to his sense Of
honor or pity. Her new life Of happi-
ness, and her old life of misery-how
she had spent the months of coiiiine.
ment in the hospital, under the kind di-
rection of physician, in study how,
upon emeI g,ng, she had obtained en-
ployment under new name, first as q
seamstress, and later, when hard study
had made her competent-Jaspei
Meads had loved and won het-al
| a. slsAa 4I,roflskl, hor mind IL, a,, ifi2tant