Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-09

times; put you would have your own
way
That evening the wife, who had
promised herself so much happiness in
confessing all to her husband, was walk
ing the floor, back and forth, her lips
were quivering, her hands working nerv'
vously, ,and her face was white and 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 on the floor.
oh my love, my darlingn she cried,
so generous, so ready to shield me,
how can l live without you? And are
you gene-gone away, believing me
guilty? Oh, how utterly wasted will
my life be without you'!'
She lay these 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 desertlon, even, but never
the sight Ofhim wounded or dead fer
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 60 she would.
Before she reached the street a SER
want handed her letter.
Left here for you this morning
maam.'
Nellie retraced her steps hurriedly,
and with trembling fingers opened her
husbands note. 1t was written the
evening before.
L am going down the river for a few
days, to stay until l conclude how to
arrange affairs between us. Ishall take
steps to give you back your freedom.
Uutil then, try TO act dlscreetly,'
That was all; not even reproach, be-
lieving Of her what he did; only cold,
constrained words. And the bitterpart
to her was that she knew her husbands
forbearance grew out Of his great love
for her.
A week passed; she never wanted 10
how.
Have you heard from Mr.. WhitlOw"
she asked again fhis clerk, as she had
done every day since he left.
Yes: Just received letter. He is
al Leavenworth.'
Nellie turned away with a Thank
you,, and lighter heart than she had
known for many day. She decided IN
stantly to 90 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 ac-
ouaintances were in the party, and
among them was Weston. On arrly-
ing at Leavenworth she found that her
husband had gone on down the river,
but would return in a day or two.-
Her friends urged her TO JON the par
ty. She was willing to do anything
to pass away the time that must elapse
before her husband came, SO went
with them to explore the renowned
cave.
They he'd not been gone an hour when
Lloyd Whitlow returned TO the Leayen-
worth. Learning that one Of the party
lust gone had been anxious to see him,
started after them on horseback, little
thinking that his wife was OF the party,
vet 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 Veston's 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 number OBJECT, yet in the
muddy, high water ii 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 90 in the last bug
gy load. They we're not half over be-
fore the horse, frightened at the splash
ing OF the water behind it, reared, plum
ged, upset the buggy in the deep water,
and left the driver and Nellie IN a far
way to be drowned. 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 be-
lieved she would drown, and the only
pang to her 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
Llo,d Whitlow had saved her. His
heart went out to her when he caught
sight of her bloodless face turned so be-
seechingly toward him.-They stood
alone on the ledge of rocks IN the mid
die of the water. Nellie spoke first:
Lloyd she said, you will forgive
me. lam not SO guilty as you suppose.
l love you, so l come down here to find