Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-06-27
Who knows what you might earn?'
But Imogene's brave and CHEEKY
words afforded no consolation.

!
"Oh, child, how unreasonable you
are" sobbed her mother. DO you
not know that we have no heart for
such things now =? Can one work
when she is hungry and miserable 2
Imogene sighed as she left the room.
1t was hard to bear the burden
alone, and useless to reason them into
contentment who were resolved to be
wretched.
4 must make myself a-sacri6ce for
them, she thought 4 will marry
Rupert Clairvaux. l will be to him a
true and good wife, and think no more
of the one I have so dearly loved.
And so it came to pass that before
the first Of June roses blossomed, ms
ogene was mistress of enc of the finest
houses in the city.
She would have been a happy wo~
man, for every earthly blessing was
hers the faithful, devoted love of a
noble husband, the comfort of her
mother and sister, and luxury and
ease.
But although an exemplary wife
she was a most joyless one.
Rupert's kindness and trust we're an
unceasing reproach to her.
oh, what guilty wretch l am to
deceive so good and honest a heart :
she would so moan in her solitude.
Many months passed, and again the
March winds we're widely wailing.
Rupert was walking rapidly down
the street one day, when a familiar
voice spoke his name.
He started and looked quickly up,
to see his long>absent brother.
The meeting was very affectionate,
for cordial ioye had always existed
between them, Notwithstanding a total
dissilnilarity of temperament, as well
as personal appearance,
Rupert had fine figure that prom
ised to develop degree of stoutuess
in middle age; his light-brown head
and massive brown his full lips be-
spoke tenderness, and there was
strength il the firm jaw and square
chin. His large, darkly blue eyes
were magnetic-now soft as those of
child, and again as keen as those Of
a statesman.
Rufus, toe, was fair, but he was tall
and graceful. His brow was hand
some, but it lacked the contour that
gives one an idea Of high reasoning
powers. His eyes were dark and
full Of sensuous fire, and the small,
redlipped mouth and narrow, receding
chin told of efeminacy and weakness
of purpose.
unstable as water would have
been the verdict of those who make
human nature their study,
This Is most unexpected pleas
ure, Rufus. said his brother, holding
him warmly by the hand. How have
you been succeeding :?
Capital of late. have secured a
position as tenor in Chicago church
at a good salary, and mean to locate
there permanently. I have came back
for a wife
Indeed Who is the favored
lady 2
I don't think you ever heard other
Rupert She is a Miss Imogene
Lemayne.
Imogenes husband started and his
rudy cheeks grew pale.
Rufus, are you insane or testing
Did you not get my letter informing
you Of my marriage to that lady 2
The dark eyes of Rufus widened
with surprise and then flashing furious
fire.
You married to Imogene 1t can
not be my Imogene, for she promised
to love me faithfully until death should
part us,
Another question and another an,
swer, and the two brothers faced each
other, one in bitter anger and the
other in bitter agony.
4 tell you,. cried Rufus, she loved
ME she has married you for your
money. Ask her and compel her to
answer. Curses on womankind. They
are all false, mercenary and treacher-
Gus. But Imogene! oh, how l be-
lieved in that girl !
Married for money. repeated limos
genes husband, slowly and deliberate.
ly, as if his strong brain could not
comprehend anything SO utterly at
variance with the lofty pride and
grand sweetness of his wifes charac
ter as he had known it.
OF course I cannot 60 home with
you now, Rufus. l will go back to
my hotel and try a bottle of cham-
payne. This is my lethe for sorrow
Married for money! again re-
peated the unhappy man as be turned
homeward
He went at once to his wife's room.
Imogene had dressed for dinner and
was awaiti9o his return.