Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-22

but sleep was kind and brought happy
dreams to bless his lonely pillow. The
morning sun shone brightly as he awoke
and the gloom lifted from his soul as thu
train speed swiftly homeward. By
strong effort he overcame the impulse that
babe him first seek his wife and the recon
Citation his heart so longed for. g No, ,
he said, g must give her still a days re-
spite; night will come at last" and hi
turned his steps to the Office.
There Archibald Steele was just prepar-
ing to go up TO his partners residence, and
commit himself to any number of false
hoods, regardless Of consequences, wheI
the missing partner walked quietly in, il
no way different from usual, unless a til
file more thoughtful and subdued.
ssWhere under heaven have you been?'
was the question that greeted the young
mans entrance.
''Up to Fair Haven was the quiet re
ply.
Well, why in thunder didn't you send
word to that effect, and not go off and
leave the devil to pay behind you ~
Arthur Scrivner elevated his eyebrows
and looked in CONSERVATION at his elegant
and dignifed elder partner.
al beg your pardon, young man," blus-
tered the old gentleman, my language is
strong, but I am excited. By Jove, sir, if
1 had such lovely and devoted wife, sir,
wouldn't rush off and leave her for a
weeks absence, more or less, without say
ing polite good morning, at least, " and
and the old fellow pulled his MSS out of
the pigeon holes of his desk, upset the ink
stand and got himself and surroundings
into a generally demoralized and uncom-
Portable condition.
''My wife? and a look of anxiety and
alarm came over the young fellows face.
g Y s, sir, your wife. She drove down
here yesterday to see you, pale as spec
tire and lovely as an angel, and drove away
again almost beside herself with anxiety
on your behalf, when she learned you had
not been here at all. It's none of my bust
ness, it may be, but no one could see that
poor little creatures anguish OF mind
without feeling like horse-whipping you,
sir, for your culpable neglect, to call it by
no harsher name. And after what you
told me not long since-egad, [ could
horse-whip you myself, sir I"
But the dear, choleric old knight-errant
was speaking to the air, for at mention OF
his wife's alarm, concerning him, the
young man had seized his hat, and with a
muttered curse ON postal cards, dashed out
of the office. AS he neared his residence
his breath came chokinglY, for the doctors
gig was at the door, and his hand trembled
so he could scarcely fit his latch-key to the
door.
"This trip Of yours has been most un-
fortunate one for your wife," said the
family physician he met in the hallway.
" But take courage" he added kindly, as
the poor fellow, unable to put his fears
into words, sank speechless in a chair.
70 If my orders are fulfilled, a day OF two
will bring her round again all right,
hope. In the meantime perfect quiet is
an absolute necessity. To that end don't
you enter her room till give you leave
s'Pity," he continued musingly, pulling on
his gloves and considering the case from
thoroughly artistic, medical and bust
ness point of view, ''great pity However
we have reason to be thankful it is ne
worse. Good morning, sir, | will be il
again before night" and he was gone.
Poor Arthur! it was an interminabl'
day he spent, pacing YEARLY the lonely
empty rooms, and listening silently at the
door Of his wife's chamber.
The servants moved quietly about will
grave faces, and the dreadful silence thai
pervaded the house and the black shadow
on his heart seemed the precursor, if MOI
the token of the immediate presence, o.
that angel, so unlike the one for whom
heart and home had been fondly waiting
the angel that comes to rend asunder low
ing hearts, not bind them in closer uniol
that brings tears, despair and woe, no
smiles and joy and rapture.
L IOlll UilC llGUlC lCCCpVlOll-ltOhA WAAAOV
where many time and oft the sweet fac
of his wife had smiled out a glad welcome
to his coming, he watched a long, Ions
hour for the physicians promised call
And when he came, and stopped on hi
way out again to speak word Of cheer tt
the young husband and promise that il
his patient had a quiet night he should SCI
her in the morning, the dreadful shadow
over him partially lifted, yet it was Ions
and lonely watch he kept that night as he
YEARLY waited for the lingering day. /
came at last, and with it the longed-fo
leave to go to his wife's bedside. Yer,
white was the face that looked timidly III
to his, and broken with many sobs the
voice that whispered tender, penitent ant
pleading words words that called forth
others tenderer still and melted thu
hearts of both to tears.
"Come, come, no nonsense" said tn
rough voice of the old doctor, as he turn
ed from the window where he had beer
preparing the medicine for the day.
6 I told you there must be perfect quiet
Just fifteen minutes now, remember i
But the gruffness in his voice was yer,
palpably assumed, and as he left the room
the trumpet tones that accompanied the
use of his pocket handkerchief made his
patient almost jump from her bed.
"Why didn't they put this out OF YOU
sight, poor love?" and the tender young
husband lays violent hands upon lace
covered roselined bassinet that stands
upon chair near by; and looking help
lessly and successfully around, he stoop!
and bestows it carefully beneath the bed
A tender and amused little smile plays
about the lips of his wife, as she fondly