Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-08-20


life might have been to her with such
glowing love as this-life that must be
always cold and wintry. having only
the calm, quiet, common place affection
which her gray haired husband gave
her for all the wealth of golden spring
time warmth that she felt within her
soul-for all the beauty that many ar
ardent youth had coveted in her girl
hood.
Could it be the fair haired student
who sat near themsin church? or the
dark eyed soldier, with an empty sleeve
who passed their garden SO often? On
whom had she made such an impress
ion? while he whose life she shared
saw in her only good little woman
who had silly ideas on abstract subjects
and needed much sage advice and
counsel.
Her poor heart ached as her heaG
did. She felt wicked and ashamed
and very miserable; and forgot how
time was flying, and how her housewife
duties pressed upon her, until the sink
ing sun reminded her of them.
Even then she took one look in thu
glass, and thought if she did not say it
that great deal Of beauty had beer
cast away on quiet, unromantic RALPH
Romer.
After tea they walked out together
and saw the gold fish in its depths; and
he told her of the general habits O.
gold fiji. The writer of valentine
would have spoken-so thought Ethel
of her golden hair The stars came
out, and he spoke of them, not of hel
bright eyes.
She wanted to turn upon him, ano
say, "What are all these things worth
compared with a warm and living
love?" She longed to ask him why he
had given her that woful fate-why he
had Gagged the heart he did not care for.
"Anyswoman could have made YOU
tea, and listened to your talk Of
astronomy and natural history were
the words on her lips 81 was made
to love and to be loved again"
But she said nothing. He saw her
beside him, little paIer and little
stiller than of yore, that was all.
But from this time forth the little
happiness that had still fingered in
Ethel's life was at an end. She grew
desperate, and seized upon the only
possible relief to the monotony of her
lifs.-Very beautiful, very lively, much
courted by the village coterie, she
found no difficulty in becoming that
most detestablc of creatures, married
flirt
Ralph Romer never sought to keep
her at home, but he seldom went out
with her More than once the gold.
haired student or the dark eyed soldier
had found it the most natural thing III
the world to act an escort home after
some social meeting, and no harm wa.
done; only there were too many blushe:
too many smiles, too lingering clasp
of parting hands, when one remember
ed that Ethel Romer was wife
Home was neglected; but Ralph die
not complain. 49,
So the long year rolled around, ano
Valentines day came again. Ethe
had watched and waited for its comm.
not quite the same plre-hearted
Ethel. Thoughts she dared not ute
had crept into her soul. The soldie
with the great black eyes and sof
voice, who made his empty sleeve onl,
another charm to win hearts who hat
told her all he dared with his tongue
and more with glance and sigh-mus
she had long ago decided, be the write
of those valentines. so different fror
anything that Ralph Romer ever felt 0
uttered.
She had given him hint, and if
were he she would surely know it thi
day. And if it were he, then Ethe
Romer knew that it had been better 70
her never to have been born; for tn
sake of him who wrote those poems
she was willing to forsake home an,
husband and wifely name and fame ant
be the scorn and fout ofall the villiag
To be so loved for little while, an,
then die, was all she asked.
eff it comes to that" she said ans
wering in her own thoughts, '.how my
name will ring. 1t will be blacke
than Satan. Do you know thos'
proper, frozen village women, vii
scorn me so -what it is for lovin!
woman to lead loyeless life? 1t wither
one as neglect and cold have withere
these poor flowers there"
For Ethel had set no flower pots i
the sun to day, nor for many days
That morning she had watched he
husband ride away on his gaeat brow
horse thinking how grave and seriou
be was how old in all his ways-hoy
old manish was his gray overeoat, ant