Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-11-27
The Dalton Mystery.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

knew there was mystery in Ralph
Dalton's house, shadow over his life,
as certainly as knew that he loved me
and tried to conquer his love. 1t was
q miserable Joy to me to encounter him,
to make him fall in love with me over
.,cain. when [ knew he had been hid
away, battling with my influence over
him, striving-and vainly-to thrust mt
out OF his heart.
1t was no boy and girl lnfatuation, ford
was twcnty-thrce when L inherltei
Wolfston from my uncle; stately old
house. with extensive grounds, named
from some old-world estate in our lam
ily. | found hOusekeeper, and brought
with me a companions a widow OF sixty
Mrs Latimer, and we settled down ID
the new house very happily. There
was no lack of pleasant society, and l
had attention from many gentlemen re-
siding near us. But the first person 10
welcome me was Ralph Dalton, who
had been my uncle's close friend for
years. and who lived upon the next
nlace TO mine. He held fer me some
private letters, some jewelry OF my
Grand mntbers. and other little matters
uncle felt il best 10 confde to private
keeping, and after his trust was over
he came again and again. until we loV-
ed each other. Then he oeasod his vis-
its. and met him only by chaHce, II a
perslstel effort on my part could be call
ed so.
u hat did | love in him? lie was
many years oil der than myself-forty l
?udge-without great personal attrac-
ton. His features were large and gave
an impression Of strength ; he was tall
and broad-shouldered. l have heard
him called an ugly man, but his large
melancholy brown eyes wore beautiful.
He was grave to sadness, and reserved
to fault; yet once the ice of his retlc-
ence was broken, he could converse
easily and gracefully upon any topic
passing far beyond my poor attalnments
IN the scope of his study and the wide
range of his reading. He was as gen.
ue as a woman, and his voice. full, rlch
and exquisitely moiulated. was perfect
music l loved him utterly who had
been cold to all suitors, and self resolv'
ed to maintain every maiden freedom.
What did he love in me! Something
that was a reflex Of his own nobility for
was commonplace enough elsewhere.
With HIM | wakened to new thoughts
of philanthropy, of sclf,culture, and my
whole soul was elevated and found
strength in intercourse with him. Twas
fair of face they told me who wooed me-
and l was glad If Ralph's eyes found
pleasure in my beauty.
But | had not been a week at VOLS
ton before | heard Of some mystery III
Ralph's home.
1t had never received pretty name
but was spoken of simply as 'Dalton's'
The house was large, yet mo visitor cv
er stopped there. Ralph was reputcC
wealthy vet he offered no hospitality
even one meal, to his friends
He found rest aud pleasure with US
knowing we could not visit him, and
think our intercourse was bright, t,hap
nv one to him. lifting him out OF some
habitual melancholy, until he wakenet
to the knowledge that he loved me,an(
: was terror-stricken,
lust in one flash Of his harmonious
voice. | read his secret, and answered
+ if. moment he was ice! He apol
ogizcd for having forgotten the respcc'
due to me, and with stiff, white lips,ant
and choked, hard tone l had never
= heard pass his lips before, he oade me
farewell and was gone.
was stunned, then enraged! Ho"
dared he. | thought, win my love tc
seorn it! Then wept for him. kne"
nv pain was less than his, because his
nature was deeper, more intense in al
things. than mine.
would not pine for any man,
thought, and dashed INTO every gayeti
available in,our circle. But my flirtatlon'
were wasted. as he did not see them
and my heart was sick for look from
his tender eyes. l blushed for myself
when stole out at dusk and crossed
. our garden % look in at the window
of his study to watch him. lie was pa
ler. graver than ever, bending over his
hooks for an hour at time without tur-
= ming leaf, or walking up and dowr
with folded arms and bowed head, mus
ing painfully, as 1 could see by his rigi(
lips and stern brow.
had been six months at Wolfston
b and the snow covered the ground whei
Mrs. Latimer impaired me the frs
y piece of gossip ever heard fall from
her lips.
You remember that Mr.. Dalton wh'
came here so often when we were hrs
!, here?' she asked me, as we fingered
over a late breakfast.
l nodded assent.
|, INV dear. be has q crazy wife shat NJ