Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-01

SO the next day went to Bamborough and
Listeth. Bat early in the morning, as / stood
before the mirror in my dressing room. my hus-
band came tn me. was surprised again. for Of
late there had been 50 little pretence at senti-s
ment between us that had scarcely expected
he would care to make sny fsrewells. But dis
covered i'm n very few moments that this was.
and nervous. This susprised ne too II we had
loved each other might have understood the
feeling; but since We did not love each other.
what could it mean He stood by NV toilet
table, looking pale and agitated for few min
utes after his entrance, ana then he broke the
awkward silence:
You will need money, he began. -.
interrupted him.
"No,"I said, ''you mistake. do not need
any. Thank you
Every we'll. !" he answered. s.if that is the case
suppose II Is useless = offer you any. But il
hope you will write to me about it.,
'.Thank you again." l replied. 81 will write
; to you once week whether wish anything or
He fingered a few minutes longer and. then
"Then. a. shall not see you again, will bid
you good bye" he said; "you win not return
81 recover or de-" interrupted. eff BAN
borough agrees with me no better than London
has done, DIR, Brainard says shall die in two
1 scarcely knew what feeling of desperation
prompted me 10 make speech 10 reckless, but il
was feeling desperate enough.
s'Grrvasr,r he exclaimed.
/ would not look at him, but in the mirror
saw reflected on his face pallor a. ashen tue
pallor of death Sometimes, in after months |
wished that had looked at him more straightiy.
But he said nothing more-onIy waited mo-
ment, and then came TO my side.
"Good- bye," he said.
sGood- bye" answered And the next mo-
mebt he had touched my cheek lightly with his
1t was late when reached Marlborough. and
the tide was coming in under red fog-ob-
seured sun. l looked out of the carriage win
dow rs | drove from the station through tn /,
narrow streets, and looking, 1 saw little more
than an immense expanse of sea, and a dry nd
wet brown beach, where fishermen were losng-
ing, nshermen's children shouting and playing.
ana hsherments boats drawn up and fastened
upon the sand with chains. 1 had always felt
drawn towards the sea with curious sense of
fascination, and this evening the fresh salt air
blew so coolly upon my cheeks that i had a
quiet, half-defned feeling that was not sorry
L had come to scarborough. =
And at her open door, Lisbeth stood ready to
welcome me, and my first glance showed rue
the same handsome womanly face and hand
some womanly figure, neither face nor figure
whit unfa miliar or a whit less perfect for the
dren chung TO her flowing skirts, her handsome
baby clasped her neck, AND a. she stood there
smiling, thought of Cordelia, and my heart
warmed-Listeth's strength and beauty always
warmed il.
She caught me in the one arm, her child left.
free, and drew me into the hall, pressing her
warm red lips to mine.
"My dear! she said, 'fmy dearest =" and it
seemed as though she had ft1 the moment no
other words to utter. Her voice warmed me
and put life into my veins 1 chung to her. en-
Joying her tender caresSes but scarcely sneak
ing word for at least Lisbeth understood what
my silence meant, and would not repfoach me
with IT. She did not ask any questions. II
seemed that in An instant she comprehended
everything. for she carried me TO nv room. and
took OF my wrappings "a If | had been a child
and she M mother. I could not help noticing
the mother touch in her strong, gentle hands.
and the mother tone in her voice.
IL will show you my children as soon as yolt
are rested, she said. hut you must first rest .
Gervase. Your husbands telegram did not pre-
pare me for seeing YOU look so changed"
feit "a sudden pulsatiOn OF the heart.
my husbands telegram L aid-''did he
send one:''
"Yes," she answered, every early this morn
ing, TO say that you were coming"
l answered not word. Why had he done thiso
IL we had loved each other. should have known
that IL was because he could not brook the
thought OF my meeting even the momentary
chill of an unexpected reception; but now the
news only startled me.
But though she spoke no word. Lisbeth's ewes
lost nothing. knew that she was searching me
that she was searching me when, after she had
called her children into the room. she stood near
me in her royal mother pride, with her little one
in her fair, strong arms.
crumpled brown curls of her eldest. s.Look up
See, Gersave-Hugh's eyes,
They were magnificent children. Lisbeth's
perfect, healthful nature hadyiOwered them
and her unwarped, fearless soul shone ont Of
their childish ewes. A desOlate aching filed nav
breast as Lisbeth stood near me with them. Her
NE was so full-mine so empty. had never
loved children very much-had seen very little
OF the m-and Of my own baby had seen moth
ing but the poor little cold body had for one
moment caught a glimpse Of as Roger bent over
thought of this when I looked at Lisbeth's
children, but no tears came into my ewes
was wondering vaguely il were a wicked wo-
man, and II my faced, empty life were my pun
baby, or wept for it-Roger had ceased TO love
me long before its birth, and had learned 20
know what a mistake 1 had made.
But lived again that day as I talked to Lis
oeth: We sat by the fire after tea-she with her
,hild on her breast, and on q lounging chair
near her, until the heavy fog had crept over the
' "a and up into the little town, hiding even
we're alone together for the first time since we
ia1 parted, four years ago. Hugh was absent
Pm business, and the children had gone to bed.
Q We vent over the four years again-but un-
II the close of the evening Lisbeth said nothing
IF my husband. At length. after a silence she
nted her eyes from the fire and looked at me- !
enderly, searchingly, sadly.
AND you are happy. Gervase?" she said. j
Gould not answer her at first, bat after a silent
struggle the words came. 1 could not tell lie
10 Lfsbeth.
..Happy! No, am wretched"
She looked at me for moment longer, and
hen spoke again.
"Gervase, !" she said, ''if your little child had
ived-"I broke in upon her. losing all self-con-
roi, N a wild, sudden passion of uncomfortable |
Weeping.
NO. no." I cried out. Better as it is-far,
ar better as Il is"
She moved her seat nearer to me and drew nv |
ead down upon her lap with that tender mo |
'.Gervase," she said softly, ..you think YOU
% not love your husband" |
How did she know? for she seemed to under 4
"a nj me in an instant. cried out AGAIN in the /
a DIST OF my passionate sobs.
~ have never loved him." said. Gle has
ever loved me. IT was a m;stake-it was all \
'rong, from first to last and he is wretched |
DO"
II was all told then-the miserable secret that 4
ad grown to its full strength In my own heart /
lone IL was all told in one rash speech-no |
ot quite all. The rest would be a secret for |
ver, even from I.isbeth
But had wept myself into calmness at last |
nd we had been talking together again, though |
nth longer silence between the words than
here had been before, when in one of these ST. |
ences heard the front door Open and felt a |
reat riOting rush of the boisterous sea wind. |
md there were sounds of q mans footsteps in |
he hall, and mans voice flung out a scrap OF |
Ong:
- am come it, deeps are learned
Tome. but there j. naught to say
Married eyes with niue have met,