Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-09-01

ashy pale.
Was this true? Had my husband
then deceived me? Was I the wife
of divorced man-the successor to 9
heart which had lost all the bloom and
freshness of first love?
I was crying and sobbing with all
the agonized anguish of a sixteen
year-old bride, who first finds out that
life is not all a rose-twined holiday,
when a soft, cool hand fell on my
brow.
"Pardon me; but I was passing
your halfopen door, and I could not
help hearing your sobs. / too, have
seen trouble. Will you let me help
comfort you?"
She was tall and slight, with dewy,
dovelike eyes, a face like Raphael's
Madonna, and dress Of deep mourn
ing, that made her ivory skin appear
winter than it actually was.
The tender light Of her plying
eyes the sweet sympathetic tones Of
her voice went to my heart at once /;
l fell weeping on her shoulder.
II don't know who you are" sob
bed ; "but, oh, | am very unhappy"
She listened to my tale with soft,
wistful interest.
'Do not judge him harshly," she
said. ''Remember he is your hus-
band. Wait and let him speak for
himself"
"Never!" I cried, Indignantly. "He
has deceived me; that it is enough.
Where are my trunks | will return
home at once, and never look upon
his face again"
"Of whom are you speaking, Ro-
sag"
started and uttered a low cry-my
unknown comforter and companion
hurried from the twilight room MUIR
muring some incoherent apology as she
went. In the opposite doorway stood
my husband.
"Edward !"
eyes, Rose, it is I. Before had
reached Buffalo I discovered that |
had left some important papers be-
hind, by mistake. My journey is de-
ferred until tomorrow morning.
And now will you give me some ex-
PLANTATION of this mystery ?"
By this time my pride had rallied to
the rescue.
"The mystery is very simple of So
luton" said [, haughtily. "Only that
| am about to leave you-"'
"Rosa !"
"To leave you-at once and forev-
er !" | repeated, firmly. "The wife
of a divorced husband the cold
hearted, treacherous deceiver-"
"Stop," he said, coldly, and with
strange tremor of repressed excite
ment in his voice; "say no more.
Rosa Rosa surely l must be
dreaming. This never can be true !"
"Leave me please" l said, family {;
81 would rather be alone
'Do you really mean it, Rosa?"
81 do"
"Tell me, first, what is the accusa-
ton which you have to bring against
me ?" he persisted.
"Never " I said, naughty.
cam /, then, to be condemned un-
heard ?"
"Leave me - ! reiterated, p assion-
ately. "For l never will callyou hus-
band again !"
"Rosa !" he said, gravely, "remem.
Der that the decision of this hour will
last forever !"
$50 let it be y | uttered.
He turned away but as he turned
a cold hand encircled my wrist--the
lovely lady in black was by my side
again like phantom.
"Stop a minute" she murmered, 81
am your husbands first wife p
'1sabel y he cried, starting as if
some stunning blow had stricken him.
eyes, Isabel she answered, "your
unworthy, SHINING, yet repentant wife.
Now listen, Rosa Rayner, to the story
of my life, and let your husband be
acquitted or condemned according
thereto"
And in a low, monotonous tone,
like one reading death warrant, size
told of how an old lover had wooed
and won her away from her wifely