The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-06-02
CoNSrANCE's STORY.

When my husband, ltOscoe Arnold. asked nut
tImirry him, felt Il Necessary to tell him tlat
lll not love llin AZ he loved ME that iii
derstnol Ills devotion. because had felt It for
Ano.her-tllat other, Ivan Grey-that to my
husband Ind 10 give Ouly grateful affection,
wlnld tint Entfice?
liz 4aId that it would. lie told me after IartI
Tint, through my weeping, lIe did not catcl.
the name that lie thought | said also that my
llTcr Ind died.
From tic first, Roscoe was good husband.
II did not appreciate him then, was not
unhappy. had bright. beautiful home which
RIIcOe named liesperiies. The library was
extensive. tho conservatory luxurious. Books
aud flowers being my ruling passion, my huS-
banl had taken especial pains 10 gra ify ME.
After our boy was born, and everybody pro-
nouaeel him a most healthy aud beautiful
child. Roscoe said to me:
Constance arc YOU happy nOw?'
looked straight into his honest brown eyes
as I truly anSw' red: eyes. Roc"
lie bent and kissed me with delight had
never seen him show before.
"Dcirost, you arc mine !" he murmured
That was all lie said.
II WAS Just two years after our marriage.
A few days later no received letter. ]
asked whomit was from.
any sister" he answered.
81 never knew that you had sister, | said,
In surprise.
"NG, / have never spoken to you Of Ora.
When ms parents died IN my boylIool, 0ra
was baby, aud WAS taken by all arnt down to
New Orleans, where she was raised with her
children, have only seen her oncO since. She
isvery pretty. This letter tells the she IL to be
married"
lTc gave mo the letter to read. II was writ
ten on delicate, fragrant paper, tho pcnman-
ship easy and graceful, but rather too inc.
Rather brief communication, prcttily ex-
pressed. asking uS 10 como to tile wedding.
"TO New Orleans In Julyl am afraid to
take baby, and could not leave him"
81 see that We cannot go. It Is Impractical
bic. will write and tell Ora"
"And give her my love. Say that hope she
will be very happy"
had been present at but ono wedding In my
life, and that was my own. l was Ex.And-
twenty. II was very different from what
thought II would 10 when was eighteen. Al
eighteen had been betrothed to Ivan Grey at
twenty-SIx married Roscoe Arnold.
The susgcstion Of another wedding brought
back tho past to ME. When was alone, and
baby asleep in his basket, went to drawer In
private cabinet, aud took out q packet OF let.
terS and photograph.
The latter was vignetto-a face handsome
as Greek GODS With n perfection Of contour
that must over DO fascinating. As looked at
II, the peace Of my heart fed away. The breath
Of tho past. fragrant, now, sprlng-liko, Sweps
over me; the warm, imperious impulses Of
youth started TO life In my blood.
looked at tho letters, but did not open
them. There was no need. / had learned each
one By heart years ago. Tho packet was
small, and | rat with It held between my palms
for nearly half all hour. But I put away let
tors aud picture at last, and sat down By the
open window, swinging tho haby's basket 10
and fro. Just then 1 heard Roscoe whistling
lightly as he ran M stairs, and In q moment he
entered the room, his hands full OF pond
llllOS.
"Seo hero, CounIC-hcre's treat for you
Aren't they beautles?"
My fAvorite lower took the splendid
things from him and put them In crystal
globe Of cool water.
"sce herer said Roscoe.
HO had pulled OF his straw hat, and the curl
ing hAir AbOnt lila white forehead was literally
dripping with perspirAtiou.
"Sco how wiltGd | am, hurrying home
through tho heat to save your lilies" hs
laughed.
Ibronght lin some cool water to batho hi
face, laid out for him some fresh clothing, AMI
went away TO sec II dinner was ready. Thus
took up. again, tho present
Another year went by. was surrounded b,
comfort; tenderly cared for resolved not L
unlock the rosewood cabinet again..
Twas reading In the pOrtico, ono June morn
Ing. wllilO MeltSse the nurse, waS leading littl'
Lyle along the garden walks, when carriag'
camO whirllng up the drive.
spranE up fearing something had happen
cd to my husband. Int, by the time reaehct
the open hall door. lady, alone, was coming
up the steps from the carriage. She was yer,
young, richly rObed, and instantly addresset
inc;
"Are you not my brother Roscoe's wite7