Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-05-03
After Long years.


Matte Caldwell spoke as if it was as irrita-
ting as it was absurd, this conhetemps she was
apostrophizing. II was so novel a thing TO
see Matte in even an imitation Of 1T ottem-
per, that Charlie Caldwell; sTequally- eveu-
tempered band, put down his newspaper
to gaze at her in sheer amazement.
What is-the matter?" : r'"'
Edith. She won't go to Newport with us,
aud declares her intention OF going down TO
the Hill farm for the summer" t'.'
"The Hill farm Why, l thought
"Ofrcourse you did," broke in his impul-
sve little wife "yOu thought shsand r. had
suffered sufficient tyranny and unkindness at
the Hill farm to make US hate ths very name,
much less the sight Of it. Ido." se
"And Edith wants to go back again ?" = '.
Net to stay. Charlie only for few weeks,
Charlie and here Matte drew over her rret-
ty face mask of solemn mystery in expression.
al believe in my hear. it is because Douglas
is coming home"
"Do you? never could understand why
he went away SO suddenly. So you think II
was Edith ?"
"I'll tell you all l know about II" said
Matte, perching herself upon her husbands
knee. ftBeiore you came to Hill farm, Doug
las had been at Seaton for summer"
al know that. He sent me there
"He met Edith at some village gathering
and certainly was pleased with her. You
know it was no, very easy to court anybody
at Hill farm" ="
Il should say not" said Charlie, with q
wry face. '".".
Uncle James seemed to consider il his duty
to Edith aud me, after poor mamma died. tc
keep us hard at work, and certainly to allow
no male visitors.
How many times did he set the dogs on
me?"
"I don't know but be treated Dongla:
after the same fashion. Still, Ei.th sometimes
saw him, aud certainly received letters from
him. One morning she came to to my room
with tho last happy face ever saw her wear
and asked me if could endure the hard if,
alone little while, and then she would send
for me to join her in her new home. She
would say no more but the he1tday, with 9
white set face she told me to forget her foolish
words, and later knew that Douglas Fisher
had suddenly left Seaton"
&" He came to me, Matte, and told me Of th'
farm and Of Edith Certainly he loved her
but inferred from his half confidence that hi,
affection was not returned He spoke Of some
sudden change in her, and the hext news
heard he was preparing to go to Europe. III
had written to me from Seaton, and the rex
summer too visited the little village. con
fess to you wondered how Edith's cold, i'm
passive beauty could attract so sunny a nature
as Douglas bad especially with her pretty
saucy sister near IT,"
"But, Charlie, she was not cold and impas
sive then. There was not brighter, livelie
girl in Seaton than Edith, before Dougla
Fisher left her so unaccountably."
You think she loved him ?"
al amisurs Of it."
And am sure he loved her. And now
after five years Of separation. you think she i
runLing away because my cousin Douglas j
coming home p
al think so; and as she has no home bu
this since we were married, Of course she ba
no place to go excepting the Hill farm"
Matte, try to find out her side of tb
story. am sure there is some mystery abou
it, and we may be able to set it right yet"
"Oh. Charlie, would give anything to hav
Edith married as happily as we are. Miser.
likes company" she added saucily, and raj
off.
She was not very skillfal diplomatist. an'
finding Edith sitting rather fOrlOrnly alone
plunged headlongIiDto her subject.
Edith. why ere you running away from
Douglas Fisher p
The pale, stately girl looked at her brigh
young sister moment in naughty amazement
but reading trurly the love aud pity in the fa
face, ;ausysred r-
"I.had,rather 40. meet him, Matte"
But mhy 2, presisted her sister,.
"He is Charles cousin, and ! know they
are like brothehs, so you ses be will be her
constantly. Matte, conld Dot bear it
could not meet him here day after day and know
him so false as lie has been. Le. pe go, dear
am swoman now, and uncle James canno
tread me down as be did when We were mer'
childlen. .".-c ;n. o. -
but, Edith, how was he falss7" 'y.-
You know, darling, how hard our life was
how any change seemed like sunshine; and
you know how Douglas tried to win my love
never W ant to tie village that he did not
meet me, and urge me to marry him at once
| loved him, Matte, bnt did, ne. give my
heart unsosght. 0se Of bis fa7eTits pleas wal
the home re could make for. you, little sister
and | was finally won to consent. STILL il
remained to set time and form plan for an
elopement." - 'r'''i -
"Why did you no. do as Charlie and'I did
Just walk of to the minister and get mar
ried, and then let Uncle James rave as much
as be pleased ?"
"lI don't know. We didn't. You know