Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-08

be kind enough to direct me ibe nearest way
10 ,he village" said pleasant voioe, AID a
stranger stepped IN.
She rose % give him the required dircctisn
but stopped short, while he came quickly for-
ward
Paul T.
"Ns,tisl"
His face lighted mp. aud be reached ont bis
arms 70 draw her O. him. With surprised,
painei looked. she drew back.
Mr.. Gardner, this is most unexpected
meeting"
aNr, Gardner - be repeated. Matte
what do you mean p
"Don't call me Matte II you please" she
replied with dignity. Ny name is Phillips.
"Phillips 2" he echoed. " are you married.
"Tbese are strange words from you, Paul
Gardner. did you think I was waiting all this
time for another womans husband that |
WAS keeping ny faith with one who played
me false so soon ?"
"Played you false. have not. am
come as l promised you. The two years are
bu. lust passed, aud | am here to claim you;
Why do you greet me thus ? Are you indeed
married, Matte Gray
She was trembling like al aspen leaf. For
answer she turned and pointed to the cradle.
He came and stood before her, with white face
and folded arms.
"Tcll me why you did this. Didn't you
love me we'll enough to wait for me p
She went and unchecked drawer, and took
out newspaper. Unfolding it, and finding
the place, she pointed to it with her hngsr,
/ Io rrfan notice.
"What of this2" he asked, as he met her
oras,ioninr roproachful look 40, Matte !
YOU thought it meant me. 1t Is my cousin
| am not married, nor in love with any one but
your .y .,
" Arc you telling me the truth :" she asked
in an eager husky voice.
And then, as he replied, " II Is true, she
cave low grosn and sank down into 4 CHAIR.
40 PAUL. forgive me- IL nearly broke my
hearti I didn't know that you had a consin by
tho same name. l ought not to have doubted
Won but It was there in black and white
and this man, my husband, came, and mar
ried him." :. =,
With bitter tears. she told him how Il oil
hanponed. With clonched hauGs ho walked
10 and fro, then stopped beside the cradle and
bent over the sleeping child. Lower he bent,
an his lips touched its wee forehead, while ho
murmarcd softly, to himself, " Mattie's baby.
Then no turned, and kueelins before her
said in low voice, forgive you, Matt,e
bo as happy as you can" He took both her
hands In his, and looked steadily, lovingly, IN
TO her face. His lips twitched convulsiyely as
he rose to his feet 1 have no right here
yon are another mans wife. Good bye-Gcd
bless you !"
lie turned, as he went out Of the door, and
saw her standing there in the middle Of the
room. with arms outstretched Ho went back,
and putting his arms around her, pressed one
kiss on her cheek, then left the house, never
looking back. -,
And she won't down on her knees beside her
sleeping baby, and prayed for strength to bear
her great trial. ThOy never saw one another
again. =,
Seventy years old Her stalvart sons and
bright-eyed daughters remember her as a low
ing and devoted mother, her gray-headsd hus-
band as a most faithful wife.
"Never was woman moro patient and
kind. and as good housewife as over was,
he said. as he brushed the back Of his old
brown hand across his eyes while looking on
the peaceful face.
And not one OF them ever knew OF tho weary
heart and broken hope that had died in her
breast, nor ever dreamed Of the sorrowfuI load
she had borne through life.