Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-15


Paul." she added, coaxin.ly. Her face took
fire as she uttered his name, but that of the
preacher grew paler and paler.
grateful than can say but must remain
here. Believe me, it is better Ishou!d remain ="
Mrs. Delplaine had somewhat forseen thi-
refusal. In her exalted estimate of his charac
ter she could scarcely hope that her hero
would step aside from the path he had marked
out for himself TO cater to the preferences Of
woman. She yielded at once.
Because you are stubborn and proud" Shs
frivolity; and if you viii not weld to my
NIT myself to yonrs Well Vel then fa viii III also
remain here. 1T matters ht l. where | live.
and this is winsome country in its way.
think we shall sOOu h:Iyr p.u.mi"t II $Pii"-.
On that big stern rock oa-S4,.t ~ :; i-UJH
saw the poor moss growing Just little green.
can yet sYine oiu hyY'e and Odd a0u,eS can can
ot feL',rn'shen Eod gray homesRu ras can an
still glow in old chimney places. Since 1t Is
your viii. Sir: TO remain il thiS place, YOU vi
not object if make this wilderness to BIOS
Mrs Delplaine!" he said Crunching the
slim white hand that rested on tre arm OF the
chair c.O5e in the qulvering muscles OF hi,
MY name is Laura" she interrupted,
softly.
Ms pn1er Ne w Y5u viii tass
with you the only true happiness have ever
known: the memory of it will perhaps serve
to make the rest of my life endurable. Aud
Gus of women, why can not go and you can
not stay. When was but a lad of twenty"
said the preacher, and still pursuing my
studies, fell in love with young woman who
lived in the neighbOrhood of the college.
soon learned that her passion was feigned
from the first, and that she only married me
from motives OF convenience; but mine, such
as Il was, founded upon deluSiOn, and nursed
by ephen eral vagaries of the brain, led me
into fools paradise; and even when the bit
teinesS of her mistake and my own began to
eat into our lives, it Sckens me to remember
how strOve against it, how meanly and
servllely shut my eyes and CROPPED bndfOld
AhOSt, and the time came when even the men,
DRY of it was curse. Then the cross was per
haps heavier for her to bear than for me: Tied
to a man whose pursuits, thoughts, ambitions
appreciate, condemned to the prOprety and
sObernesS allotted to the life of a preachers
wife, even denied the comfort of wearing gay
trinkets and apparel. often she has told me
that she enylCd the freedom OF an Indian
Squaw, and how glad she'd be to know nothing
but Choctaw TO- get rid of the eternal preach
"Poor souI;' said Mrs. Delplaine, with an
involuntary shudder at the life the parson
portrayed Then she added, with Infinite
"No,' said Mr.. Hume; "aud, God forgive
me, there were times when was tempted to
put an end to my life, 1t bred such misery fOr
only think it such--enfeebled her health and
TOOK the corporal sting from her slavery. The
powerful vitality which lent a dangerous
strength tn her lOngingS and diScOn EN-: WAS
broken. and she became content To b, amused
and taken care of in Il way that was pOSslb to
me. An old nurse cOnHtcted with the family
was induced to take entire charge of her. The
Incidence of d southern climate suited her de-
sires and capacities. AS for me, the rigor and
SteIility of this region held a charm for me its
onelinesS, rs isolation, soothed and console
Here he got upon his feet, aud bent over her.
taking both her hands in his. His face had
gradually gained serenity: 81 can not be
sorry We have met he said, lit had been
something sweet in the knowledge that you
take with you some brief Interests in my pOJr
Mrs Delp'aine's hands trembled within his
own. The story of the paIson held something
sinister TO light, luXury-lOving nature. A
Shrli wind ratified 1T the easement; heavy
mountain and hung there like a pail; the
room had grown dark and cold. Suddenly
Mrs. Delplaine kicked with her little heel the
emberS into blaze; reSolutely she turned
from the window; her eyes Sh0ue tenderly; Il
tame of color burned in her cheek.
why should We part?' she said, looking
giayely up in his face. ~ will not have it 50
wy Sh3T Hh both our lives be spelled; You
An. said MI. Hume, drawing quick
brea h.
"nat-What IS IT." cried Mrs. Dtlplai0e
she is dead Hagar told me she died lons
ago
No. no. said Mr. Hume. God forbid.
She is not yet fit to die
Then Mrs. Depl,ine sank ba * in her chair,
and drew her hands from his. - would like
o be alone she said, and before he was fair
ly Oul Of the room she burst into passionate
weeping; but the minister went straight to
his study where he passed the nj ht in wake
ful misery.
AT daybreak the stage stopped again at the
parsons door, and several big trunks were
hOisted to the top. Hagar helped in a yelled
and shaWled figure that seemed to the few
passengers principally mide up of big wiStfu.
eyes. These eyes were glued to the window
of the coach, and two other wild, htggtrd
orbS from the parsons study followed she
numbering vehicle till il became lost in its to-
tuOus descent of the hill.
All this happened not many years ago, and
it seemed as yesterday to the poor p arson
when, upon one morning, with trembling
hand he addressed newspaper to a lady then
travelling abroad. 1t contained the intelli
gence OF the death of poor Mrs. Hume at
Nassau. The sole answer he received was
shabby foreign sheet, wherein among the
marriages he found that of Mrs D5lpIaine.
[Hdrper'S Weekly.