The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-03
TRI-WEEKIY EDITION.

was married or singlc7" was the reply.
"llc never talked about himself"
Which was strictly true.
So this was the solution of the mystery!
This was the reason why, when we met in
the woods or lanes, he was rcstaincd and
cold, until, little by little, woke the love-
light in his his eyes, the tender tones of his
voice, and was happy, until some warning
reused him to his own happiness, and he
would leave abruptly, rs if caught in some
net hard to break.
A mad wife 1rucly I have played a
noble part to win the love that belonged to
the poor creature wasting her life prisoner
in her own house! l was humblcd to the
very dust, though conscious of my own in
nocencc of any intention of wronging her.
My heart achcd for both. for his generous
devotion, his involuntary faithlcssncss; and
for hcr--oh, piticd hcr-his wife and
But had my task now-to conquer the
miserable love in my own heart, to tear
away, one by one, the sweet dreams l had
cherished OF the time would break down
the barrier that separated up, and win from
Ralph the assurance of his love. l would
not cross the grave to my own happiness,
and what but death could free him2
would not love him, but oh, how my
heart ached for his misery! If only he
could be my brother, that ! might assure
him of my sympathy, comfort him, give
| him some womanly care in his dcsolatcd
home. | would wake sobbing from dreams
of his pain. / stole often to the hedge in
the garden and watched how he grew palcr
and sadder, and my prayers for him were
more earnest than they had ever been for
myself.
1t was after the New Years festivities,
and | had shaken hands with Ralph at my
reception, and smiled into his haggard face
with what felt was very wintry imita-
ton of joyous greeting. l had crcpt away
to weep after all my guests were gone, and
Mrs. Latimer had told mc-"It was all
quite perfect, my dear; but you look pale
and tired. You had better sleep late to-
morrow"
And I had tossed slceplcssly till dawn.
A bright winter dawn, with the sun beating
on the hard, frozen ground, and not a
breath of wind stirring. ] was up early
and out. The room seemed to stiflc me.
| "I stole down stairs, before even the ser
wants were out of their rooms, and wrap
fling myself i'll heavy cloak, and with a
flcccy white scarf about my head, I went
| to walk. Perhaps this feversh unrest
would be quieted in the crisp winter air.
struck into a grove of trees that stood
on my own grounds, and was pacing slow
| ly forward, when | heard a stealthy step
beside nc, and turning quickly, saw wo-
man keeping near me, watching me.
My very heart seemed to cease its pulsa-
tions, for she was richly dressed in Il loose,
flowing garment of silk, quilted and warm,
but barc-hcaded, and with only thin slip
pcrs on her slender feet. Her eyes, rest
less and wild, told of mental wandering,
and her hair heavily streaked with gray,
her wrinklcd checks and bent figure seemed
to tell al eloquent story of premature age
and suffering Every detail confirmed me
in my recognition of Mrs. Dalton.
"Ilush! she said, coming close to me.
eff you make noise they will find me
and shut INC up. And cannot go to Ralph
if am shut up. Day and night he calls
me to come to him, and the doors arc barred
so that | cannot CO."
put my hand upon her arm, saying
gently:
"But if you go home Ralph is there"
"No, he went away long ago-so very
long. They told me he was Dead" she
whispered. "Did you hear he was dead2"
"No, he is not dead," answered.
| "Why does he not come, then7"
heard, still far off, step knew well.
"Pcrhaps he will come soou," said
"Shall we wait here for him2"
The step came nearer, then turned into
another path
"Docs hc know we are here9" she
asked, with wistful, pleading eyes.
"Suppose you call,"I answered.
| In a moment she obcycd me.
"Ralph, dear Ralph, l am herc!" she
cried.
Quickly the steps followed the voice, and
Ralph Dalton came towards lis.
But the woman clung to me, sobbng
out:
"He will shut me up2"
Then Ralph spoke, gently, tendcrly:
| "Mother, you will be i'll againl Come
home with me.
Mothcrl His motherl I could not help it..
My heart gave such glad bound, my lips
would follow its dictates
con, Ralph, Is this your mothcr2" I
cried.
eyes" he answered gravcly, ssmy wi
dowed mother, who searches in vain for
her husband, dead ten years ago."
"He is not dead!" Mrs. Dalton cried.
"How could he call me if he was dead 2
You told me he was not dead" she said,
looking at ME.
81 thought she meant you," answered
to Ralph's questioning eyes, "when she
said Ralph"
81 was named for my father" he ans
wcred.
"Comc, mother, come with me-"
But she clung to me, and whispered:
"Icad the way; we will follow YOU. "
and so, supporting his mother, now feeble
with fatigue, entered Ralph's house for
the first time.
Past the rooms where he lived, chccrless
and cold, we went up to floor luxurious
ly furnished, where two women were al
ready pouring out apologies for their neg
lcct Of their charge.
Ralph, with few stern words, left them,
and remained with his mother until she
slept, worn out with wandering for hours,
as we ascertaincd later. \.
Then went down stairs to the library,
Ralph was there; and upon his face was