The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-12-06

certain. And the usual "nine day
wonder" extended itself over thrc,
times that space of time. Yet, iron
Mrs. Starr or Mr.. Strong, not one singh
word of explanation ever came to Sc
the public mind at rest. And so, afte
some weeks, the rumors died away, anC
the lawyer was left in peace-if peace
indeed, was with him.
Three years afterwards, in the dusl
Of a winters evening, a stately female
robed in velvet and costly furs, glidet
up the graveled walk that led to the
lawyers door.
1t was Mrs. Starr.
Her pride had yielded to her love al
last She had returned that very day
to her own home, and without asking q
single question of the servants, who
welcomed her, with a sort of wondering
pity in their looks, which at the time
she did not notice, she waited only foI
the friendly twilight to screen her from
observation, before she sought her lover
to tell him, that the arrangement OF
years was at an end, that love had con-
quered, that she was true and fond
nd-he Forgiv en-.
He was proud and naughty, and a
violent tempered man. Be it sol She
loved him, faults and all She could
not live without himl Let her yield il
one of the two must yield Let his
yoke be on her proud neck, so only that
his loving arm were round her, his
faithful heart her refuge and her home.
The house looked strangely dark and
still. The blinds were closely drawn al
the front windows. At the side next
the street the shutters were closed.
The ringing of the door bell reused a
host of echoes within the darkened hall.
And presentlya sad-visaged middle aged
housekeeper presented herself, candle
in hand, and nearly dropped the light
when she saw the pale and agitated face
of the visitor.
"Mrs. Starr!" she gasped.
"HushW said the lady; and entering
she closed the door. Say nothing.
Where is hel"
"In therel" said the housekeeper
slowly, as she pointed to the closed
IOorc nf tho parInr
must see him."
You had better not; indeed, ma'am
you had better notl" said the house
keeper, who seemed strangely moved
and agitated.
"I must! will! Why do yon speak
like that? Is he alone?"
Eyes, ma'am. But have only just
left the room"
"Then stay out few minutes more.
No one must be there when we two
meet"
She turned to open the door.
"Take the light" said the housekeep-
er. "Oh, dear, dear, that ever should
live to see this day ~
Mrs. Starr softly opened the door.
No voice welcomed her. No stately
form rose to meet her. Nothing broke
the solemn silence, which was like that
of the tomb.
What did it mean! Why had that
woman wept when she entered here ?
Where-where was he.
She held the light on high, and look
ed about the room.
A portrait in gilded frame hung
up upon the wall beneath the windows.
Beneath the portraint-whatP A
rosewood coffin, studded with silver,
with silver nails, with garlands of
exotic flowers strewed upon its darkly
polished surface, and with its silver
plated lid turned down.
Within that coiflu the face of the
portrait, with .theslif and light and
bloom gone outfofever.
Pale, cold and silent, but beautiful as
statue he lay before her.
Long, long she looked upon him, for
getful and 'unheeding of her presence
for the first time since they two had met
and loved.
The house ting frightened
/ - : .rans the card of lid the door
ng Male and Female Acade
found in this paper. Th1 made one
has an established reput
t is not necessary for usgasped. "oh,
IN glowing terms. ip her arms with
Il principal, and Prqiontite despair, she
as been employed woma ms feet.
raj issued from that
hSppieS at the 4BGke BGkEe Iafterward. 1t was
attendt-'', =, . sshe whqe town, and the
chief mourner, who sgt by the head of
the coffin shrouded ia widows weeds,
was Mrs. Starr.
Many eyes werennOn her as she rose
to tsRe her fast Took ofthat beloved face
ere the lid of the coffin was closed.
Long, long she gazed upon the still
majestic beauty Of lip, and cheek and
brow. a few watchinp evea were dry