Middletown transcript., 1878-05-18
For the Middletown Transcript
RICHARD WORTH.
BY LILLE BELL.
CHAPTER l.

Richard Worth was a physician, {
man Of ease and luxury in means. Yer
few of the villagers Of Worthingtol
had had their curiosity gratifed by {
glimpse of the interior. He did no
associate with them, and for the las
four or five years had been there sci
dom. An old woman and her son, a
quiet as himself, were all the servant
kept. No one knew from whence they
came and were very likely to remain
in ignorance to the end Of their days
It was while travelling that we met anC
married. For a few months we jour
neyed abroad, then Richard brought
me to Worthlawn.
1t was early in November when We
arrived. A heavy, easterly, drizzling
fog had set in and the dampness seemed
to penetrate through and through. Il
was after 2 P. NJ. ere the carriage en-,
tered Worthlawn gate. The pine:
we're moaning and the continual spray
as the wind swayed the trees, falling
on the dead leaves, made a disagree.
able, irritating sound. The house was
almost obscured from the road by the
lombardy poplars, pines and Irish yewa
through the grounds.
We were glad enough to get indoors.
"These are your apartments at the
right" Richard said, turning to me as
we traversed a long corridor, q hope
you will be pleased with them, Agnes.
l was glad enough to get out Of my
damp wraps, and tried to rest, but a
desolate feeling oppressed me. Wan
dering about my apartments three
luxuriously furnished rooms they were
to me, filled with dainty little statues
and ornaments; everything that a
woman could desire. It did not dispel
the. dissatisfied feelings that would
creep over me, and with my discomfort
came the thought, ooh ! if | had
come here"
Probably more than a half hour
passed before Richard returned. At
a glimpse Of his noble face, content
ment came. We descended to the
parlor; a room that must have been
furnished and used by his grand par
ents; the furniture was so antique.
"Don't you play, Agnes 2" he said,
as we came in from luncheon.
eyes a little"
81 will get you an instrument and
see if you can't play a great DEAL" he
laughingly replied
For three days, from the inclemency
of the weather, | remained indoors. A
great deal of sickness prevailed, and
Richard was gone most Of the day.
Saturday came, and with it my pi-
ano. How proud | was; and could
do nothing but play the remainder of
the day
Sabbath morning the clouds still
continued to roll. For some time |
had been gazing out Of the window
trying to discover a rift in them. Tir-
ing Of that, [ crossed the room and sat
down by the glowing fender, waiting
for Richard to come.
OH the gIadness when Richard was
with me. All! the devastation when he
was away. | wondered if all wives
were like me. It was foolish, but this
feeling would come creeping, little by
little, until it was almost unbearable
Was it the weather? perhaps the
change Of scene and climate here was
20 different to that | had called home.
Presently he came in. A care-worn
ook was on his face, the first | had
'een there. "What is the matter,
l said, putting one arm
lround his neck, as he leaned over me.
Little woman, | must disapointyou
his morning I cannot 60 to church, !
,ut will See you to the door
Disappointment must have come in
ny face, for 1 had anticipated this
.hurch-going all the week. He want
d me to have Jerry come for me, but
much preferred walking home, than
olting along with no one to share my
houghts. Donning my wraps, we
we're soon on our way. 1t was almost
straight road from the bend around
Vorthlawn grounds to the village, a
alf mile off.
81 will try and call for you, Agnes,
oming home. do wish you would
ave let Jerry come for you," Rich
I'd said, leaving me at the church
oor.
"Such short distance, 1 can walk
.," I replied.
81 am afraid it will fatigue you, lit
e one, and then to have them say
)r. Worth's wife had to walk home
unday from church" )"
Because she preferred walking to
ding" I rejoined.
He drove away, and as | turned to
nter the church the Sexton addressed
le:
"Mrs. Worth, isn't it, ma'am ?"
owing; CDR. Worth's wife"
"Yes," | replied, following him in,
nd up the isle. '@This is the family
ew, = he said, leaving me. On each
ook was stamped R. Worth. Richard :
ad not told me he had a pew there.
Services were over, and while wan
ering through the graveyard attach
|, the name Of Worth attracted my
5tention-three graves side by side.
ames Worth, aged three years. Will
ed Worth, aged year, 9 months.
We Worth, aged 7 months. Were
lese children any relation to my hus-
md? Probably his brothers and