St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1878-08-24

"Of course I did; but Weston did
not, and Lloyd did not know that | knew
it. So concluded to finish up thy task
this evening. I did not commit myself,
either; I only let Weston talk his non"
sense without rebuking him. So, If you
think Lloyd is really jealous, I'll stop,
for am very tired of it, and tonight
I'll tell him all about it and laugh at
him, do believe he loves me now,
Kate, and am not bit sorry Tor what
I have DONE"
"You may be, before you are through
Lloyd Whitlow is not man to be triAed
with, as have told you dozens of times;
but you would have your own way"
That evening, the wife who had prom
ed herself so much happiness in confess
ing all to her husband, was walking the
floor, back and forth; her lips were
ouivering, her hands werkinging ner-
vously, and her face was as white and as
woe begone as three hours OF suspense
and agony could make it. Lloyd had
not returned. The clock struck twelve.
With the first chime she threw herself
PROSTATE upon the Aoor.
ooh, my love, my darling!" she cried;
$50 generous, so ready to shield me, how
can live without you? And you are
gone-gone away, believing me guilty!
Oh, how utterly wasted will my lite be
without you'll"
She lay there until morning, weeping
convulsively at intervals, and choking
with the food of sorrow and remorse.
And then another thought took posses
sion of her. Suppose some harm had
come to him! She could endure his re-
proaches, his desertion, even, but never
the sight of him wounded or dead for her
sake. She would bear her suspense no
longer, she said; she could know the
worst by going to his Office and question
ing the clerks, and go she would.
Before she reached the street a servant
handed her letter.
LEFT here for you this morning,
ma'am."
Nellie retraced her steps hurriedly,
and with trembling fingers opened her
husbands note. It was written the
evening before.
at am going down the river for few
days, to stay until conclude how TO
arrange affairs between us. shall take
steps to give you back your freedom.
Until then, try to act discreetly."
That was all !; not even reproach,
believing of her what he did ; only cold,
constrained words. And the bitter part
for her was, that she knew her husbands
forbearance grew cut of his great love
for her.
"A week passed; she never wanted to
remember how.
"Have you heard from Mr.. Whitlow?"
she asked again of his clerk, as she had
done every day since he left.
eyes, just received a letter. He isat
Leavenworth."
Nellie turned away with "Thank
you," and lighter heart than she had
known for many day. She decided in
stantly to 60 with him, belle wing she
could make all right if she could only
see him. Four o'clock found her en- route
for the village on the Ohio, on board the
steamer Gray Eagle. There was an ex
cursion party on board for the same
place, from whence they were going to
Wyandotte Cave. Many of her acguan>
tainces were in the party, and among
them Weston. On arriving at Leaven.
worth she found that her husband had
gone on down the river, but would return
in day or two. Her friends urged her
to Join their party. She was willing to
do anything to pass away the time that
must elaspe before her husband came, 80
went with them to explore the renowned
cave.
They had not been gone an hour when
Lloyd Whitlow returned to Leaven-
worth. Learning that one of the party
| Just gone had been anxious to see him
started after them on horseback, little
thinking that his wife was of the party
yet ia ntly hoping that he would heal
from her. He overlook them just az
they ad arrived at Blue river. He was
astonished at seeing his wife there, and
only recognized her by distant bow
He supposed that Weston's presence
was the cause of hers.
The fording>place was little high
now from recent rains; the water was
muddy, too, so enc could not see the
bottom, which right there was level
rock extending across the stream, and
was several yards wide, but which had
an Offset of a number of feet; yet in the
muddy, high water it was safe enough il
one kept ones eye on the road at the
other side and drove straight for it,
Lloyd was going over last, SO Nellie
waited purposely to 60 in the last buggy
load. They were net half over before
the horse, frightened at the splashing of
the water behind it, reared, plunged,
upset the buggy in the deep water, and
left the driver and Nellie in fair way
to be drowned. The driver helped HIM
self; Lloyd was at Nellie's side in an in