Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-06

had been so old for his years, SO fixed in
his ways, SO unimpassioned, during all
the first months of their married life, that
she could not believe it would be in his
power either to understand or to forgive
her. So she went on, bearing her burden
through slow days and silent nights, un-
til the anniversary of her wedding day
came round.
Through the day, her uncle and his wife
were with them, and few other friends.
The little festival was of the husbands
planning, and the wife felt that in barely
living through it, in hearing and answer
ing congratulations upon her happy fate,
she had gone to the uttermost limit of her
endurance. The guests wondered at this
white, still wrath, this unwifelike bride,
this woman whom a single year seemed to
have turned to stone. Joseph Hanna
ford's heart sank within him. Was moth
ing, then, left for him but to plant rose
mary over the grave of his hopes? How
thankful he was when the last guest was
gone. He came then and stood beside his
wife, and drew a ring from his pocket.
IL don't know that You will care for it
now," he said; "but got this ring to give
you as the token of new bridal. If you
could love me to-day as well as you did
one year ago. think could make you
happier, for understand better what love
means to women"
She drew away the hand he had taken.
A brilliant color famed in her cheeks, and
her heart throbbed chokingly, but cour-
age which was half desperation shone
from her eyes. She spoke passionately.
"You must not put that ring on; you
must never say one tender, loving word
to me again until you know me just as |
am"
Then, told clearly, steadily, unfaltering,
without reserve or cOncealment, her story
came. 1t was the story of her whole mar
red life; her disappointment because he
did not love her enough; her patient lit
tie endeavors to please him, which bore
no fruit; then Hugh Warnings interest
and tenderness; and. last OF all, his love,
and the strong temptation it was to her.
And then she cried, almost with sob
at has nearly killed me to have you so
good and kind as you have been lately.
Every fond word or deed has pierced me
like knife. for have thought how diff
erent you would be if you knew it all.
And the more loved you the more
wre:ched was"
lie took her close into MS arms, III
clasp which meant peace, and pardon,
above all, love. He bent over her fond
ly-"Dear, l did know it all, ever since
the night before Warng left, and it never
turned me from you for single hour. !
blamed myself too much to blame you.
She felt as if her heart. which had been
breaking with woe before, would
burst now with rapture.
Joe, she cried, you are divine ~
mo, dear, very human but love you.
are you ready to wear my pledge?'
So in the gathering darkness, he slipped
his ring upon her finger, and in the JOY OF
new bridal they two were made one.
The next day she wrote two lines which
she sent to an address Hugh Waring had
given her, the direction of his New York
bankers -
''Mr. Waring-I am, and always shall
be. your faithful friend; but love my
husband"
The little messenger was sent after him
over seas, to find him by Rhine or Rhone.
wherever his Grant steps were wander
ing. Let us hope, when he road it it cured
his heartache.
"If she be not fair for me,
What care how fair she be !"