Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-12-12
Il shrank from it you see, as wo-

found. He was tearing it up, when
you came into the room, and he put
what was left of it hastily into book
that lay nigh, as he afterwards remem-
bered. As soon as he could, he hurried
to consult me. You were, he said, get
ting jealous; you evidently misunder-
stood us; and he must tell the whole
story now in justice to himself. Twas
engaged with party at Veyay, and
the room was full; so he joined me in
order to have an opportunity to say all
this. Of course in this crisis my scru-
Piles gave way. My reward is that you
have believed me vile woman. There
that's the whole. I've told my story,
perhaps in hard way, Pm sorry for
you all the same. Thank God, I've
found you!"
She had risen while speaking, and
caught Lydia's gaze, which at first had
been fixed on her SO angrily, had fallen
before her; she had buried her face in
her hands, and now, as Mrs. Dorches-
ter ceased, the wretched listener sank
.senseless to the floor.
When Lydia revived, Mrs. Dorches-
ter finished. Leonard Drake had spent
three years in searching for his wife,
and had subsequently emigrated to
America, believing her dead. The last
time Mrs. Dorchester heard from him
he was settled at Morristown, near
New York.
The next morning saw Lydia and
Dorcas once more on their way; and
when the sun set they watched it from
the deck of Hayre steamer bound for
New York.
It was late in November when she
sailed; but the voyage was pleasant
one Notwithstanding the season. Lydia
felt, however, that she could have better
endured storm and tempest than the
monotony of those days, which left her
nothing to do but think. She could
not throw off the past. If she had
only spoken one word onRy shown her
husband shadow Of the horrible in
sanity in her mind, everything would
have been set straight, and she would
have been happy in his pardon. But
now five years gone forever, and per-
haps worse; perhaps (for he thought
her dead) another wife! Who could
tell what punishment might be in store
for her? Perhaps she would reach
land only to find him dead-which
would be worse than all-dead, and
too late even to hear one last word of
forgiveness!
They were in sight Of land at last,
had left the vessel, were driving away
through the busy streets of the great
city of the New World. Lydia would
not hear of resting or waiting, and old
Dorcas knew that it would only be
cruel to urge her.
It had been showing when they land
ed in New York, and by the time they
had left the railway train which they
had taken, it had settled into heavy
storm. Lydia wanted to walk; SO Dor
cas- wrapped waterproof cloak about
her, drew the hood over her head, and
did the best to shelter her.
'Ask how we go?" was all her mis-
tress said. "Be quick-I want to start;
but I must walk-I should go mad" !"
Dorcas stepped into hotel near the
station, and made her inquiries. The
road was straight enough. Mr.. Leon
ard Drake, she was told, lived out be-
yond the town a little-she would
know the place by such and such di-
rections.
They were less than half an hour on
the way. They reached the mansion,
a handsome dwelling, half town-house,
half villa, with long garden attached.
They mounted the steps, and Dorcas
rang the bell.
"You ask" she heard her mistress
whisper. She caught sight of her face.
It was lined and scanned with pain /;
the dark eyes fairly strained and dilat-
ed with suspense.
The door opened. A man servant
appeared.
els Mr.. Leonard Drake in ?" Dorcas
asked.
"No, he is in New York. Mrs.
Drake is at home," answered the man.
Instinctiyely Dorcas reached out her
arm to support Lydia, as she asked,
"Who is that-his mother?"
aNo, his wife. Do you want to see
her?" asked the man rather curtly, be-
ginning to think them people in search
of charity, and not liking to encounter
the cold air.