The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1872-11-15
No. 45.

ed, quietly: "Yes will be your
wife"
Her parents were pleased that she
was chosen by 90 well-to-do . young
man 90 it wSs settled, and they
married the same summer. People
thought she sobercd down wonder
fully, more than that, nothing was
said that would lead any to suppose
that any change had taken place.
Yes, she had sobered down. She
dared not think Of Paul There
wac no hope ahoad Life was a
time to be filled with something, SO
that she might not think of herself.
John WAS always kind, but she got
50 woaricd Of his talk of stock and
crops, and said to herself: ~ must
work harder, plan and fuss and bus
tic about as other women do, so that
lmay forget and grew like john"
Two years went swiftly by. A
baby slept in the cradle, and Martha
nobody called her Matte but Paul
sat rocking with her foot as she
knit blue wooles, stocking for the
baby's father. There was knock
at the half-open door.
II have got into the wrong road;
will you be kind enough to direct me
the nearestway to the village n said
Voice, and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him The required
direction, but stopped short, while
he came quickly forward.
''Paul!n ina4ieefi es '"'
.'Mattielp isnoiqmaa2 odi aobasda
His face fgltenod up, and he
reached out his arms to draw her
near him. With surprised, pain
full look she drew back.
"Nlr. Gardnerp' she repeated.
"Mattie, what do you mean 7"
"Don't call me Matte, if you
please !" she replied with dignity.
"My name is Phillips"
"Phillips p he echoed. care you
married ~
"These are strange words for you,
Paul Gardner did you think was
waiting all this time for another wo-
mans husband THAT was keep
ing my faith with one who played
me false so soon 7"
"PIayed you false | have not.
| am come as / promised you. The
two years are but just passed, and |
am here to claim you. Why do you
greet me thus Are you indeed
married, Matte Gray ?"
She was trembling like an aspen
leaf. For an answer she pointed to
the cradle. He came and stood be-
fore her with white face and folded
arms.
"Tell me why you did this p
Didn't you love me we'll enough to
wait for me ~
She went and unlocked q drawer
and took out a newspaper. Unfold
ing it and finding the place, she
pointed to it with her finger, and he
read his marriage notice.
What of this9" he asked, as he
met her questioning, reproachful
look. "Oh, Matte you thought it
meant me. 1t ia my cousin. | am
not married, nor in love with any
one but you" am
"Are. you telling the truth ~ she
asked in aeager, husky voice.
And then as he replied it is true,
she gave low groan and sank into
a chair. 81
ooh, Paul, forgive me! | didn't
know you had cousin by the same
name. j ought not to have doubted
you, bu! twas there in black and
white and this man, my husband
came, and ! married him.
With bitter tears, she told him
how all happened; with clinched
hands he. walked to and fro, then
stopped beside the cradle and bent
oyer the sleeping child. Lower he
bent, till his lips touched lite wee
forehead, while he murmured to
himself, 'Mattie's baby"
Then he turned, and kneeling be
fore her, said in . low voice: ~ for
give you, Matte; ID IS happy az
you can" lie took both her hands
/ in his and looked steadily, lovingly
| into her face. His lips twitched
conclusiyely, As he rose to feet. end
said: a have no right here; you
are another mans. wife. Goodbye
GOOD bless you'll ~
| lie turned as he went out of the
door, and saw her standing there in
the middle of the room, with arms
outstretched He went back, put
/ ting his arms around her, pressed
one kiss to her cheek, then left the
house, never looked back.
And she went down ON her knees
beside her sleeping baby and pray :
ed for strength to bear her great
trial. they never saw one another
again. 2d am @ a-Hi
I Sedauty y ears old Her stalwart
sous and bright-eysd daughters res
member iter as loving, devoted
mother, her gray-haired husband as
i most faithful wife:
t'Neyer was womananUre patient
and kind, and as good housewife as
I ever was, 2 he said, as he brushed