Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-08-27

nat Win lis sweeping White feather, the
dazzling blue eyes, and then the cab rolled
on.
"A travelling operatic troupe, explained
my companion, observing, but not rightly
understanding my evident sudden interest
1T is billed for concert at the Academy
tonight.
"And | have lost my train and must
wait for the next, answered rather ir-
ritably. ''Good night, Chichester shall
take the weird old road around the Gene
try to the station. 1t will be a glorious
walk in this unexpected moonlight"
The full, unclouded moon was rising as
| loitered on, now around curve. where
the stream widened like sheet of silver
and now under dim arch of budding trees
that shook their scented dews upon me as
passed.
As reached the bridge, tall, slender
woman, wrapped in a black cloak, hurried
out of the avenue As she saw me, she
uttered sharp, startled cry, and shrank as
if in fright. At the same moment her hood
fell back, and in the splendor of the moon
light | saw the white face of the stranger,
who had passed me an hour before. She
was trembling nervously, and seemed SO
helpless and bewildered, that | stopped in
stantly.
Il am sorry startled you, l apologized
kindly; and then noting ker doubtful, crit
ical glance, supplemented; ''Or perhaps
you have lost your wayl"
'sNot at all, )" she disavowed quickly; ~
am going to the station. When | saw you
| thought"
She paused, glanced backward appre-
hensively and shuddered.
Can help you in any way." asked,
puzzled.
Il think notn She smiled as if my
voice had calmed her, Il only wish tocatch
the train, that may meet the New York
express at the next station
"Are You not afraid of the long walk
along the river" / inquired wonderlngly.
'sYes," she answered, frankly, Il am.
But nevertheless | must go. | was TO sing
in the concert tonight" " she went on hur-
riedly; s.but there are reasons, imperative
reasons, why must go TO New York at
once. The manager was angry-quite
furious, indeed-so, to avoid a scene, l
quietly ran away"
| She said this with such charming ndiucte
that l laughed, and that laugh made us
/ friends then and there. She seemed inno-
Gently pleased when informed her that |,
too, was on my way TO New York, and
should be glad to care for her comfort on
( the Journey But not until we were whirl-
/ ing away through the moonlight on the
midnight express did the shadows vanish
altogether from her most beauteous face
/ But that wild rush through the delicious
air seemed TO inspire her, and often she
would laugh ike happy child. parted
/ from her al last at the house of an elderly
lady with whom she resided when not
travelling.
''You have been very good to me, she
said. as | was leaving her.
''Have commended myself to your
friendship ?' queried.
Her answer was satisfactory, and for
weeks saw her every day. knew she
loved me, and knew, too, that Ehad loved
her from the first. But always when l
spoke of marriage she seemed troubled and
undecided.
''We are just as happy now as we can be,
Phillip she would say sweetly.
'.No, we are not, Edith l would pro-
test | want you for my wife, and | mean
to have you"
But at length she yielded, and we were
quietly married. was very proud of my
wire-proud of the admiration that followed
her everywhere-of the honor and rever-
ence she won frsm all who knew her. She
was being made for love and for husband
TO adore. No ignoble human passion or
emotion ever disturbed her sweet soul !;
anger and hate and all petty feelings were
things her nature could not know.
After three months of content and happi-
ness, | took Edith to my home, in the town
where | first met her 1t was early in May.
The scent of wild viOlets was III the air, the
trees were budding and the grassy hills
were golden with dandelions. My grim old
house, set among its pines and weeping
willows pleased her.
II shall have that picture taken down,
| said to her one day. 81 cannot bear to
have even the portrait of poor Chichesters
wicked wife in the same house with you,
Edith"
Chichester she repeated, her blue
ewes fixed on my face with look l could
not understand
ssYes. dear | resumed. ''Horace fitted
I'D this place for that woman before she de-
serted him and ruined him-body, brain
and soul, | fear. "
"But that is not the picture of the girl
who was his bride, but never his wife,
ayerred Edith, who had grown strangely
pale.
: | looked at her in mute wonder.
II know the whole sad, shameful story, u
pursued my wife steadily. "Horace Chich'
, ester conceived mad passion for girl who
, had not the slightest feeling of friendship
for him. He came to her one night with
$ pitifuI. false tale of her fathers dishonor
Marry me now, this hour, and l shall save
1 your parent from felon's fate. Refus'
Z me and he will be in prison before another
I day,' said her cruel suitor. She was scarce
q " more than child, and she believed him
( and in her terror consented. An hour afte
r her marriage her father was brought hom'
diving, and his last words were pro'es
e against Horace Chichester's disgraceful ac
g and unwarrantable accusation. She be
e Iieved her vows to be no longer binding
f and refused to see or speak to her husband
-o- ara;n Though he never held her II