The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-05-15
A TRUE WIFE.

A 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 oi
a window near them. Not an intention
al listener, for ne was deeply absorbed
in the contents of a newly-arrivedl letter,
when the sound of his own name at
tracted his attention. One of the pretty
Young matrons was speaking, and said a:
50 can't imagine how such a spark
ling, brilliant woman as Mrs. Lancaster
ever came to marry that solemn piece OF
granite, Edward Lancaster"
Solemn piece of granite One of
our most profound scollars, Edith A
thorough gentleman, too, and very
wealthy"
g Wealthy" repeated the first speak
er. 'I suppose that accounts for it.
She married him for his money, of
course"
"And spends it royalty. I can't i'm
agine Edith Lancaster without the sur
roundings of money. Her dresses, her
jewels, her carriages, seem a very part
of her,"
"But she would be beautiful in a
print dress and straw hat. y
"Here she comes nov, in her new
yachting dress. Is she not lovely?"
The dark eyes behind the closed
those of the two ladies. Coming toward
the hotel was a merry party, who had
been on the water for several hours, and
prominent in a group of pretty women
was tall, slender brunette, in jaunty
dress of blue cashmere with gilt but
tons, and broad hat, frl m underneath
which could be seen. a face of exquisite
beauty. The perfect oval of shape, the
clear, olive complexion and crimson
cheeks. the regular features and dark
ewes. 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 merrily and laugh
ing as she talked, as if youth aud hap
piness 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
full of earnest expression. Not hand
some man, but one whose air of distinc-
tion was undoubted-a man who
would be noticed in any assemblage 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 q grOan, he
rose and went to his own room, closing
the door behind him.
l., IIo-oo L,
ite in his face, as he paced up and down
this room. It worked convulsively, and
the emotions that IN a 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 6
| houseKeeper, while his books were his
world.
From this scholarly seclusion, at the
age of forty-ive he was awakened by 6
| call of friendship, being summoned by
an old schoolmate who besought him tC
become guardian of a 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 hel
to Mrs. Keene, his housekeeper, as ht
would have done with a baby, for care
! and comfort, and retired again to his
study.
Between his eyes and the pages of his
book came ever the face of the orphan
girl. He found himself sitting idly be
fore his papers, listening for the SOUND
of a musical voice in the passage OF
| garden. He neglected his stndies, tC
count the hours between meals, wheI
he met his ward at table. Never before
| had a woman's face or voice wakene
even a passing emotion in Edward Ian
casters heart, and, interest once aroused
love crept In and took root, deep, strong
lifelong. There was no possibility o.
driving away this love, once it was ad
| mitted. Edward Lancaster knew tha
Edith must be won If he was ever tx
know happiness in life again. IF ht
lost her, he would live, bury himself IL
his books once more but never sgair
could the same peace he had known bt
found.
When he told the child (she was bu
| seventeen) he loved her, she nestled II
his arms, lifted her sweet face to his
and promised to be his wife. He neve
doubted her love, strange as it seemed
and they were married within si1
months of Edith's arrival at her new
home.
Once she was his own, Edward Ian
caster made his wife perfect favorite o
| fortune. He left his beloved
library to escort her to gay watering
| places IN summer, to balls and partie
In winter. He never counted the cos
| of any indulgence she craved. He
! dress was Of the costliest description
| her jewels were the envy of her circle
/ of friends and she had but to name
/ wish to have it gratified. She was o
/ the sHnniest temperament, child-like Il
/ her gratitude, and flirting from pleasur,
to pleasure as a bird flies from fruit t
/ flowers,