Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-09-24

""o HeseA hSsOi yOt cPOAcu Vi lOVC, oAu
had of course received no encourage
ment to do 50. He was plain. hard
working farmer, with no romance
about him, but matter.of-fact to the
core. His wife would get few caresses
or tender words. He would be kind
enough-give her plenty TO eat and
wear-but thatw was all.
Now he seemed to have come for the
express purpose of asking her to be his
wife, for he took chair and seated
himself beside her, and after the usaal
greeting, reserving scarcely a moment
to take breath, began in his business
like way, to converse. There was no
confession of love, no pleading, no hand
elasping, no tender glances; he simply
wanted her; would she be his wife
His manner was hearty enough there
was no doubt he really wanted-would
rather marry her than any other woman
he knew-but that was all.
Her lips moved to tell him she did mt
levs him; but as she let her eyes fall
from the crimson hearted rose that
swung from the vine over the window,
she caught sight of those few lines
again.
married she said to herself. "What
can do? He does not ask me to love
him. If I marry him l can be q true
wife to him and nobody will know that
Paul has Tilted me"
The decision was made. Her cheeks
were hazy pale as she looked straight
into his eyes and answered, eyes, 1
will be your wife"
Her parents were pleased that she
was chosen by so we'll to do young
man, so it was settled, and they were
married the same summer. People
thought she sobered down wonderfully;
more than that nothin was said that
would lead any one to suppose that any
change had taken place.
Yes, she had sobered down. She
dared not think of Paul. There was
no hope ahead. Life was time to be
filled with something that she might
not think of herself. John was always
kind, but she got SO wearied of his talk
of stock and crops, and said to herself,
~ must work harder, plan and fuss and
hustle about as other women do, so that
l may forget and grow like John.
Two years went swiftly by. A baby
slept in the cradle and Martha nobody
called her but Paul-sat rocking with
her foot as she knit cd blue wooden
stocking for the baby's father. There
was knock at the half open door.
81 have got on the wrong road will
you be kind enough to put me on the
nearest way to the villages' said voice,
and stranger stepped IN. She rose to
give him the required direction, but
stopped short while he came quickly
forward.
"Paul."
1Mattie
His face lighted up, and be reached
out his arms to draw her to him. With
a surprised, panied look she drew back.
"Mr. Gardener, this is a most unex-
pected meeting
"Mr Gardner?' he repeated. sMattie,
what do you mean :"
'Don't call me Matte, if you please"
she replied with dignity. ''My name is
Phillips" 4a
"Philhps!' he echoed, ''are you mar
'sThese are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner. Did you think / was
waiting all this time for another wo
mans husband! That l was keeping my
faith with one who played me false so
soon. 't
"Played you false! I have not. /
have come as promised you. Why
do you greet me thus. Are you indeed
married, Matte Gray. 7"
She vas trembling like an aspen leaf.
For an answer she pointed to the era
die He came and stood before her
with white and folded arms.
"Tell me why you did this. Didn't
you love me we'll enough to wait for
me I" l.s..., .-
She went and unlocked drawer and
took out newspaper. Unfolding 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. | am not married, nor in
love with anyone but yourself"
"Are you telling me the TRUTH" she
asked in an eager, husky voice.
And then he replied, sit is true;" she
| gave slow gruan and sank down into
a chair.
"Ob, Paul, forgive me. I didn't
know you had a cousin by the same
name / ought not to have doubted
l Won. hut Twas there in black and white.