Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-06-27
yes, Rupert she replied in a hush

1Anu yoo A0'0u hAh anu "SAo
promised to him, and married me for
my money Is that the truth %
The unhappy creature flung her
self on her knees before him.
ooh, forgive me, forgive me ! she
cried. If you could know how l
hate myself for deceiving you, Rupert,
you would have little pity in your
heart for me, for I am most misera-
bic woman Your kindness and love
have pierced my guilty soul like scor
pion stings. Rupert best Of hus-
bands, noblest of men, my accusing
conscience has bowed me to the Dust.
Before he answered be raised her
gently and placed her on sofa.
'Imogene.' he said. L think l IN,
derstand you. You would have still
been faithful to my brother, but you
could not see your mother aud sister
iii want when l could give you the
power to help them. You sinned tina,
good might come of it. You would
not have done 1t for yourself alone
Imogene I shall settle on You g
third of wy property. Then / will
make it cay for you to divorce your
self from me. Then you will be free
to marry the man you love-
Without another word he hastily
left the room and the house.
Imogene staggered after him with
vague feeling that the world was
growing dark and that he must not
go. But at the parlor her strength
failed and she sank on her knees be.
fore a couch, just as his coupe ratified
furiously away.
The twilight began to gather, but
still she knelt there, conscious only
that she breathed, and that every
breath was pang of misery.
A subtle step crossed the carpet, a
graceful form bent over, and bold
arm clasped her waist.
False Imogene. but still beloved, it
is I-your Rufus-who speaks
In an instant she was on her feet,
her eyes afame, and her cheeks burn
lug,
He stretched his hands toward her
in mad appeal.
my darling, l have come for you.
l will not give you up even to my
brother. You love me AID why
should We not be happy 2
4 do not love you. l despise you !"
she answered, distinctly and deliber,
ateIy.
But you do not love Rupert In
deed no. You married him for his
returned Rufus. scornfully
4 love my husband as l love my
own SOUL said Imogene if ( should
never see his face again l should be
true to bis memory
Then there is nothing more to be
said was the angry reply, as the
weak. half-freuzied man strobe away.
A few moments later Imogene be.
come conscious of an unusual COM
motion outside, and then a sound in
the hall OF many shutting feet, as ifa
heavy dead weight were being borne
IN.
Don't tell Mrs. Clairvaux too sud-
denly she heard their family physi-
clan charge one Of the servants.
ooh, what has happened ? she gasp
ed. hurrying out into the stately corrl-
dor.
Your husband has had all accident,
but we trust that his hurt will not re-
suit seriously. An omnibus ran into
his coupe. and overturned it. He was
thrown out on the curbstone, and res
ceiyed on ugly cut on the head. He
is stunned, but be will soon be con
scious."
But the insensibility lasted for
hours, only to merge .into walking
deliaium and for days and nights the
remorseful wife watched by his bed
side, refusing food and sleep and con-
ISOLATION
4 have killed him. she would moan
in her agony only for me he would
not have taken that fatal drive.
But at length he sank into a deep,
calm sleep, so like death that she
could scarcely feel his huttering
pulses.
Saved 2 said the doctor when be
awakes he will be past any possible
danger
After long hours be awoke, entirely
conscious.
Your wife las saved your life, my
young friend said the physician.
Only for her devoted and heroic care,
you would not have lived to see an
other day
Did you really wish ME to live,
Imogene p asked her husband, when
they were alone.
ooh, Rupert, my good Rupert. if
you had died I should have called my
self a murderess. Ny darling hus-