Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-07-24
JOHNS WIFE.
BY E. VICTORIA LOMAX.
CHAPTER, XXXIV.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
We left home the next morning, on oul
bridal tour expecting to travel for several
months; but, "mar proposes and God dispo'
ses." I received the following letter from
Nellie, soon after our departure:
"DEAR MATTIE:-I must commence my letter
nv saving. 'home is not home without thee.
know this sounds rather sentimental 1or me, Out
it is, nevertheless, fact. John ana Mary are as
kind and atfectionate possible and are eVldent-
ly doing their utmost to make my time pass pleas
antly. appreciate their efforts, though fruitless
You will perceive I am adopting the laconlc MODE
of expression, having just finished reading a
novel written in that STYLE and admlrng 1t exces'
siyely, give you the benefit OF my hrst attempt.
"There have been few changes in our nelghbor-
hood since you left The Howard excitement has
died natural death. Poor Henrietta is dying OF
consumption, and, think, will not live many
more days. I shall 60 to see her tomorrow, and
write YOU more fully, after my visit as regards
her condition. I hope most sincerely that my
dear cousin Richard may not be at home, for II
will be a trial. which feel my lovely and anna
BILE disposition is not capable OF sustaining, TO
treat him with politeness. You may judge from
the above remark that, as of old, I hate him most
cordially.
"Miss Nancy Turner was here yesterday.
think the pattern of that tunic, with pockets, won
her heart. hear she wears the dress on all state
occasions, and invariably mentions that 1t was
made exactly by one of your wedding dresses
The old lady was in quite bad spirits TOR her,
the last time 1 saw her. The Wethereds were
friends again with tine congregation so she had no
longer their affairs to talk about, and l thought
she would pay the visit without giving US one
item; but was mistaken. Old Mrs. Travers was
yet to have her benefit. Miss Nancy commenced
by saying: Il suppose you have heard all ABOUT
Mrs. Traverse? No, we had not heard anything
even if we had, we would not acknowledged 1t and
thus lose Miss Nancy's story What 90 you
think of her going to Mrs Lewis ana tellmg f
else-I have forgotten the other word-but II was
something dreadful?'
"I never heard him accused of that before.
Did you, Mary? asked.
"'She said he was a forgerer,' continued Miss
Nancy, because he had sworn at the altar to take
care Of Henrietta, and he had never done it,
"'You must have misunderstood her, Miss
Nancy said Mary. 4 expect she said he hao
perjured HIMSELF
"'May be so, child you know I am no ways
particular as to words, just so get the sense OF
it. Mrs. Travers has mighty bitter tongue when
she talks, and I know she gave it to him we'll:
"'And what did cousin Richard say? asked
Mary.
"'Bless me, child! always forget he is your
cousin; but it is too late to remember 1t now. !
might just as we'll tell you what he said: lie tolo
her that man made ten thousand dollars once,
and when she asked him how, he said hy attend
ing to his own business
''I suppose that ended it, I remarked.
"'No, indeed old Mrs. Travers said she should
have thought he made more. But am oVerstay'
ing my time. You and Mary are always so agree
abler
II have written YOU the foregoing in order that
you may see for yourself, that Your absence mas
not altered the surroundings of Elmwood. Eve
rythng is going on as you left it-not excepting
Miss Nancy Turner's tongue.
81 hope owen and yourself are having pleas
ant time; but of course you are. Come nome as
soon as you can. Little Matte sends KISS, anu
John, Mary and Harry send love-.
Yours atfectionately,
NELLIE WORTHINGTON.
81 have quite n treat for you to-day, Mat
tie," said Owen, coming into the room hurried
ly, as he spoke.
"What can it be?" I asked. 81 thought we
had exhausted the sights of New York, for
am sure we have seen all that is worth seeing
in the city already"
"Yes; but what we are to enjoy to-day is
not open to the public Mr.. has kindly
offered to show us his private gallery of paint,
ings. Would you like to go?"
II should be delighted. Can you wait a
moment until write few lines to Nellie, ac'
knowledging the receipt of her letter."
"Certainly; as long as you please
We were soon on our way to the gallery
Mr.. showed US the paintings himself and
I am sure added greatly to our appreciation
and enjoyment of them, by doing so. 1t is
considered the finest collection, either public
or private, in the city, and would not have
missed seeing it for a great DEAL
There was one picture that enchained my
attention from the first. 1t seemed to posses:
peculiar fascination for me and even al
this late day, when what was the future thel
has become fearful past, I feel that perhap:
the sensations experienced were but pre-
monition of what was to be.
The picture was called "Desolation." A fe
male figure was kneeling alone on bleak ane
barren spot; there were no trees nor flowers
to brighten the scene-only desert met th'
eye. Her face was partially raised, and yol
could see that she was gazing intently int
the dreary waste stretching before her; gazing
but seeing nothing.
The whole figure was inexpressibly beauti
full. and the utter absence of all the usual sur
roundings in landscape scenery made her love
illness all the more striking. There was NJ
need for the name to be given. Desolatlol
was written on every feature.
"This is rather strange subject to attrac
the attention of bride. Do you not think so
Mr.-?' said Owen, smiling.
81 hope it is the great contrast between he
life and the representation Of loneliness of tn
one before her, which makes it so attractive t.
Mrs. Norris" said Mr., kindly.
81 don't know why it is" l said, trying tt
throw off the glamour which the sight of tha
face caused. II never saw anything that at
fected me as this has done. 1sthere any stor.
connected with it, Mr."
"None that know of. l believe to al
who see it, it tells different tale. Perhap
this is what the artist intended. But let M
show you something more pleasant"