Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-05-16
A TRUE WIFE.

TRUE WIFE.
Upon the terrace of the principal no
tel at Whitecliff, two ladies sat in con
versation, unheeding, because unaware
of, listener behind the closed blinds o
a window near them. Not an intention
al listener, for he was deeply absorbed
in the contents of newly-arrived letter
when the sound of his own name at
tracted his attention. One of the pretty
young matrons was speaking, and said
can't imagine how such spark
ling, brilliant woman as Mrs. Lancaster
ever came to marry that solemn piece O
granite, Edward Lancaster.
"SOlemn piece of granite One o
our most profound scollars, Edith A
thorough gentleman, too, and very
wealthy"
Wealthy" repeated the first speak
er. 81 suppose that accounts for it,
She married him for his money, oI
course"
"And spends it royalty. I can't i'm,
agine Edith Lancaster without the sur
roundings of money, Her dresses, hel
jewels, her carriages, seem a very part
of her."
"But she would be beautiful in 8
print dress and straw hat.
"Here she comes now, in her new
yachting dress. Is she not lovely?'
The dark eyes behind the closed
blinds followed the same direction as
those of the two ladies. Coming toward
the hotel was merry party, who had
been on the water for several hours, aud
prominent in group of pretty women
was a tall, slender brunette, in a jaunty
dress of blue cashmere with gilt but
tons, and a broad hat, frl m underneath
which could be seen face of exquisite
beauty. The perfect oval of shape, the
clear, olive complexion and crimson
cheeks, the regular features and dark
eyes, were all in an oriental style; while
the masses of purple-black hair needed
no artificial additions to wreath the
small, shapely head with heavy braids,
She was chatting merIily and laagh-
ing as she talked, as if youth and hap
piuess were personifed in her beautiful
face.
The man who watched her from the
closed blinds was tall, broad-shouldered
and strong-featured. His hair, thick
and curling, was iron gray, and piled
high above a massive forehead his
eyes were deep set, but very large and
iull of earnest expression. Not han I
some man, but one whose air of aistinc-
tion was uudoubted-a man who
would be noticed in any assemblago Of
men.
As he watched the radiant figure in
the sunlight coming toward him, the
shadow upon his brow grew deeper
every moment, till, with groan, he
rose and went to his own room, closing
the door behind him.
There was little resemblance to gran
ite in his face, as he paced up and down
this room. 1t worked convulsively, and
the emotions that In woman would
have been vented in passionate tears
found expression only in an occasional
sigh that was groan.
He was living over the last three years
of his life, as he walked up and down.
Until that time he had been a scholar
only. With large wealth, inherited
from his father, he had devoted himself
to the acquisition of knowledge, living
in his library, except when he Travelled,
always in pursuit of some new light
upon a favorite' science or study. His
money matters were arranged by his
lawyer, and his household affairs by a
houseKeeper, while his books were his
world.
From this scholarly seclusion, at the
age of forty-fve he was awakened by a
call of friendship, being summoned by
an old schoolmate who besought him to
become guardian OF very modest for.
tune he was about to leave to his only
child. Obeying this summons, Edward
Lancaster found his friend already dead,
and the orphan turning to him for con.
ISOLATION. He took her home, gave her
to Mrs. Keene, his hous sekeeper, as he
would have done with baby, for care
and comfort, and retired again to his
study.
Between his eyes and the pages of his
book came ever the fac of the orphan
girl. He found himself sitting idly be-
fore his papers, listening for the sound
of a musical voice in the passage or
garden. He neglected his stndies, to
count the hours between meals, when
he met his ward at table. Never before
had n woman's face or voice wakene !
even passing emotion in Edward Lam
casters heart, and, interest once aroused,
love crept in and took root, deep, strong,
lifelong. There was no possibility of
driving away this love, once it was ad-
mitted. Edward Lancaster knew that
Edith must be won if he was ever to
know happiness in life again. II he
lost her, he would live, bury himself in
his books once more but never again
could the same peace he had known be
found.
When he told the child (she was but
seventeen) he loved her, she nestled in
his arms, lifted her sweet face to his,
and promised to be his wife. He never
doubted her love, strange as it seemed,
and they were married within six
months of Edith's arrival at her new
home.
Once she was his own, Edward Ian
caster made his wife "a perfect favorite of
fortune. He left his favorite-beloved
library to escort her to gay watering
places in summer, to balls and parties
in winter. He never counted the cost
of any indulgence she craved. Her
dress was of the costliest description +;
her jewels were the envy of her circle
of friends; and she had but to name a
wish to have it gratifed. She was Of
tho sunniest temperament, child-like in
her gratitude, and flirting from pleasure
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