The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-07-27

OF suspense and agony could make II
Lloyd had not returned. The clock strucl
twelve. With the first chime she threw
herself PROSTATE upon the floor.
ooh, my love, my darlingg' she cried
$50 generous, so ready to shield me, hov
can live without you? And you are gon,
-gone away, believing me guilty! Oh
how utterly wasted will my life be withou
you /"
She lay there until morning, weeping
convusively vt Intervals, and choking will
the flood of sorrow and remorse. And ther
another thought took possession of her
Suppose some harm had come to himl She
could endure his reproaches, his deserton
even, but never the sight of him Wounded
or dead for her sake. She would bear hel
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, am
Nellie retraced her steps hurriedly, and
with trembling fingers opened her husband.
note. 1t was written the evening before.
al am going down the river for few
days, to stay until Iconclude 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, believ-
ing of her what he did; only cold, constrain-
ed words. And the bitter part to her was,
that she knew her husbands forbearance
grew out of his great love for her.
A week passed she never wanted to re-
member how.
Have you heard from Mr.. whLlow ?"
she asked again ofhis clerk, as she had done
every day since he left
YES; idst Received d letter. He is at
Heavenworth."
Nellie turned away With "Thank you,"
and lighter heart than she had known for
many a day. She decided instantly to 60 to
him, believing that she cdHld make all right
if sic could only sec him. Four o'clock
found her en- roEte for the village OH the
Ohio, on board the steamer Gray Eagle.
There was an Excursion party on board for
the SAME place, from whence they were GO
ing TO Wyhndotte Cave. Many of her ac-
quairtances were in the party, and among
them was Weston. On arriving at Leaven-
worth she fotnd that her husband had gone
on down the river, but would return in u
day or two. Her friends urged her to join
their party. She was willing to do anything
to pass away the time that must elapse be-
fore her husband came, so went with them
to explore the renowned cave.
They had not been gone an hour when
Lloyd Whitlow returned to IeavenRorth.
Learning that one ofthe party just gone had
been anxious to see him, started after them
on horseback, little thinking that his wife
was of the party, yet family hoping that he
would hear froEh her. lie overlook them
just as they had 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 fordng-place was little high now
from recent rains; the water was muddy,
too, so one could not see the bottom, which
right there was level rock extending across
the stream, and was several yards %ide but
which had an offset ofa number of feet; yet
in the muddy, high water it was safe enough
if one kept ones eye on the road at the other
side and drove straight for it.
Lloyd was going over last, so Nellie wait
ed purposoly to go in the last buggy load.
They were not half over before the horse.
frightened at the splashing of the water be-
hind it, reared, plunged, upset the buggy in
the deep water, and left the driver and Mel
lie in fair way to be drowned. The driver
helped himselfi Lloyd was at Nellies side
in an instant
To Nellie, the chill of the water seemed
like the visible presence of death. She did
not scream; she believed she should drown,
and the only pang to her was the thought
that she would die unreconciled to her hus- |
band. But the thought had scarcely become
one ere the strong arms and nerves of Lloyd |
Whitlow had saved her. His heart went
out to her when he caught sight Of her blood
less face turned so beseechihgy toward him.
They stood alone on the ledge ofrocks in the |
middle of the water. Nellie spoke first
"Lloyd," she said, "you will forgive me.
am not so guilty as you SUPPOSE: love
you, so | came down here to ind you. And
oh, Lloyd" as she saw his face sollening to-
ward her, "you do love me; too you cannot
say mol"
He laid his hand over the little fingers
quivering so piteouslyj remembered him
self, and drew away. His voice was hard as
he said;
4" l might have listened to you, and be-
lieved an explanation possiblej if had not
found you with him to-day"
"Then why did you not let me die ?" she
moaned. "Why did you save my life to
torture me?"
And she commenced sobbing.
Woman, thisi is acting, Have done with