Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-09-13

ond tonight I'll tell HIM all about it anC
laugh at him. I do believe he loves me now
Kate. and am not bit sorry for what
have DONE"
ssYou may be before you are through
Lloyd WhitlOw is not a man to be triheC
with, as have told you dozens Of times
but you would have your own way"
That evening the wife, who had promised
herself so much happiness in confessing all
to her husband, was walking the floor,
back and forth; her lips were quivering
her hands working nervously, and her face
was as white and woebegone as three hours
of suspense and agony could make 1t.
Lloyd had not returned. The clock struck
twelve. With the first chime she threw
herself PROSTATE on the floor. ,,i.
"Oh, my love, my darling!'' she cried
$50 generous, so ready to shield me, how
can I live without you? And you are
gone-g6ne away, believing me guilty! Oh,
how utterly wasted will my live be with
out you!''
She lay there until morning, weeping
convulsively at intervals, and choking
with the flood Of sorrow and remorse. And
then another thought took possession of
her. Suppose some harm had come to
him! She could endure his reproaches,
his desertion, even, but never the sight OF
him wounded or dead fol her sake. She
would bear her suspense no longer. she
said; she could know the worst by going
to his office and questioning the clerks,
| and 60 she would.
Before she reached the street a servant
! handed her letter.
LEFT here for you this morning,
| ma'am." .i
Nellie retraced her steps hurriedly, and
| with trembling fingers opened her hus-
bands note. I6 was written the evening.
before. ~ q -.
81 am going down the river for few
days, to stay until conclude how to ar
range affairs between us. I shall take
steps to give you back your freedom. I'm
til then, try to act discreetly."
That was all; not even reproach, be-
| lieving of her what he did; only cold, con-
strained words. And the bitter part to
| her was that she knew her husbands for
bearance grew out OF his great love for
| her. e5,.
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 letter. He is at
Leavenworth." Ascui
Nellie turned away with a "Thank
you," and a lighter heart than she had
known for many day. She decided in
stantly to go to him, believing that 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
Grey Eagle There was an excursion
party on board for the same place, from
whence they were going to Wyandotte
Cave. Many Of her acquaintance were in
the party, and among them was Weston.
On arriving at Leavenworth she found
that her husband had gone on down the
river, but would return in a day OF two.
Her friends urged her to join their party.
She was willing to do anything to pass
away the time that must elapse before her
husband came, so went with them to ex-
plore the renowned cave.
They had not been gone an hour when
Lloyd Whitlow returned to Leavenworth.
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 family hoping
that he would hear from her. He overlook
them just as they had arrived at Blue
river. He was astonished at seeing his
wife there, and only recognized her by a
distant bow. He supposed that Weston IS
presence was the cause of hers.
The fording- place was a 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
wide, but which had an offset OF num-
Der 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
waited purposely to 60 in the last buggy
load. They were not half over before the
horse, frightened at the splashing of the
water behind it. riared, plunged, upset the
buggy in the deep1 water, and left the dri-
yer and Nellie in lFfair way to be drown
ed. The driver helped himself: Lloyd was
at Nellie's side in an instant.
To Nellie, the chill Of the water seemed
like the visible presence of death. She did
not scream; she beY I'd she should drown.
andithe only papsu W ner was the thought
that she would die unreconciled to her
husband. 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 bloodless face turned so be-
seemingly toward him. They stood alone
on the ledge of rocks in the middle of the
water. Nellie spoke first: f4.a5.
Lloyd" she said, ''you will forgive me.
am not so guilty as you suppose. I love
you, so came down here to find you.
And oh, Lloyd" as she saw his face soft
ening toward her, 'you do love me, too;
you cannot say mol"
He laid his hand oyer the little fingers
quivering so piteously, remembered him.
DSnlf and draw AWAY lis VOico waa ha ri
as he said:
81 might have listened to you, and be-
lieved an explanation possible, if had |