The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-10-23
FREMONT SANDUSKY COUNTY OHIO; FRIDAY OCTOBER 3d. 1871

said that would lead any one to sup
pose that any change had take
place.
Yes, she had sobered down. Sh
dared not think of Paul. There wa
lDo hope ahead. Life was a time t.
be filed with something that sh,
might not think of herself. JohI
was always kind, but she got 81
wearied of his talk of stock anC
crops, and said to herself, "I mus
work harder, plan and fuss and bus
tie about as other women do, so tina
| may forget and grow like John.
Two years went swiftly by. a
baby slept in the cradle and Marth;
nobody called her Matte but Pau
sat rocking with her foot as sht
knitted a blue wooden stocking fol
the baby's father. There was a knocl
at the half open door.
81 have cot on the wrong road
will you be kind enough to direc-
me the nearest way to the village?
said voice, and a stranger stepped
in. She rose to give him the requir
ed direction, but stopped short
while he came quickly forward.
"Paul."
MATTEL"
His face lighted up, and he reach.
ed out his arms to draw her to him
With surprised, panied look she
drew back.
"Mr. Gardner, this is an unexpect
ed meeting"
"Mr. Gardner?" he repeated
Matte, what do you meant" +"
"Don't call me Matte, if you
please" she replied with dignity
My name is Phillips"
'Phillips?" he echoed, "are you
married?"
"These are strange words from
you, Paul Gardner. Did you think ]
was waiting oil this time for another
woman's husband. That I was keep
ing ny faith with one who played
me false so soon?"
"Played you false! I have not. ]
have come IS I promised you. Why
do you greet me thus. Are you in
deed married, Matte Gray?"
She was trembling like an aspen
leaf. For an answer she pointed to
the cradle. He came and stood be-
fore her with white face and folded
arms.
"Tell me why you did thisP Did
MT yon love me well enough to wait
for me?"
She went and unlocked a drawer
and took out a newspaper. Unfold
| ing it, and finding the place, she
pointed to it with her finger and
read the marriage notice.
"What of this?" he asked, as he
met her questioning, reproachfnl
look. "Oh! Matte! you thought
it meant me! 1t is my cousin. 1 an
not married, nor in love with any
one but yourself"
"Are you telling me the truth?'
she asked in an eager, husky voice
And then he replied, at is true; >
and she gave low groan and sank
down into q chair.
Cob, Paul, forgive me. 1 didn't
know you had a cousin by the sam;
name. I ought not to have doubted
you, but twas there in black anC
white, and this man, my husband
came. and 1 married him."
With bitter tears she told how i
happened. With clenched hands hC
walked to and fro. and then stopped
beside the cradle and bent over th,
sleeping child. Lower he bent til
Ibis lips touched its wee forehead
while he muttered to himself "Mat
ties baby"
Then be turned and kneeling be
fore her, said, in q low voice, 81 for
lgive you, Matte, be as happy a
lyou can" He took both her hand
lin his and looked steadily, lovingl,
into her face. His lips twitchel
convlusively, as he rose to his feet
Il have no right here-you are an
other mans wife. Good-bye-Go,
bless you"
! He turned as he went out of tn
ldoor, and saw her standing there il
the middle of the room, with arm
loutstretched. lie went back, ant
putting his arms around her, presset
one kiss upon her check, and lei
the house, never looking back.
! And she went down on her knee
beside her sleeping baby, and pray
ed for strength to bear her grea
trial. They never saw each othe
again.
Seventy years old! Her stalwar
sons and brighteyed daughters re
member her as 4 loving, deyotet
mother, her grey-headed HUSBAND
as most faithful wife.
"Never was a woman more patien
and kind, and as good a housewif
as ever was" he said, as he hrushe,
the back of his own brown han
across his eyes, while looking dow
on the peaceful face.
| And not one of them ever knew c
the weary heart and broken hope
THAT had died in her breast, nor eve
dreamed of the sad hopes she ha
-. AL-o,-L Iifo