Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-11-18
MiscELLANEo Gus.
MY HUSBANDS LOVE.
A YOUNG w1rE's STORY.


he who only yesterday had borne me from
the altar lOveless bride-passed over to me
the letters he had Just received from the
hands of the concierge of the Partisan hotel
where we were staying on the first stage of
our honeymoon trip.
1t was the FIRST time had seen my mar
ried name boldly inscribed upon an envelope
and 1.think only then fully realized that
was Philip AyImer's welded wife, to have
and to hold until death did part US.
Was it this thought, or tho sudden sight
of handwriting strangely familiar, which
caused me to shudder and grow pale.
One of the letters was from my mother
I knew what it would say before opened
it; now she would tell me over again the old
story the nobility Of the man I had married
and her joy that my ship had ridden into
such safe anchorage.
Tho other-why was it that. as my fingers
touched It, my h lsb1ud raised his eyes to see
the tell-tale flush their glance brought to my
cheek?
Good news. my darliug?" he questioned
tenderIy.
''I have not had time to find ont" I an.
swered curtly. 81 like to read my letters
alone"
A hurt look came over Phillips face, hut
no said nothing. and half hour later was
alone and had opened the letter from tho
man loved.
Yes. was wife-a bride, in fact; but my
heart had never been given unto my hus>
bands keeping.
1 did not pause to think which of my gods
sras TIE ma zFafthg sanly kusgT that
Vano Marston's ways had burned their way
into my soul-and yet was another mans
wife!
How did it uH happop2 I could hardly
tell myself. l knew Vane loved me; he had
told me, but he never asked mc to become
his wife. And now held his letter in my
hand and the contents, which, during these
three qnict days had c1ept into my heart,
vanished in a maelssrom of anguish Thus
began the letter to me, another man. wife:
"My dsrling-They tell me you arc mar>
ried cannot, daro not, believe it"
Thus i; ran, series OF mad rePronches for
Inconsistency and fathfulness, uutiI 1 could
no longer read, and, with sheet crushed
in my hand, fell, bitterly sobbing, across the
bed
did not hear my husband cutcr the rom
was scarcely conscious that he took the
letter from my hadd.
'Look at me-" he said 81 thought you
a pure innocent child, whose heart was an
open page before me. Who is the man that
he should write such words to my wife
Coward! Curl"
'.He is neither" answered, stung to ac-
ton By the words. ale is the man l love-"
"What, then, am I?'
1.-THE man hate" answered, recklessly,
aud buried my face once more 10 the pill
lows.
When raised it was alone.
did not see my husband until evening.
Then he entered my room.
had had time in all these hours for re-
pentance, and, springing to meet him, would
have thrown myself in his arms, with my
prayer for forgiveness, but he held me from
him and spoke gravely and steruly.
al have been thinking since left you,
Annie, what was best to do. If We separate
now it will only give the world cause for
scandal. want to propose that we live out
our lives together in the eyes of the world,
though I promise never to enforce hus>
bands claim upon you. Will you aceede to
my PROPOSAL"
"No, no, Philip cried; Il will be your
wife, In time l will forget-in time will
learn to love you. Forgive me, and accept
me back!"
''To forgive is easier than to forget" he
answered. 1.-THE gift you offer is vaIueless
"a flower without its fragrance, a bird with
out It's song heaven heIp INC huSDaod
whose wife offers him duty, when in her
heart he thought vas written love.w
With these words he had turned and left
me.
Ny husband faithfully kept his word We
curtaiIed our wedding tour. 1t seemed too
bitter mockery to go from place to place,
both carrying this secret in our breasts, and
I was glad to get back to London.
Invitations poured in upon US. In draw
| ing or ballroom, my husband was ever cour,
teous and attentive; but as We drove to or
from some evening entertainment each would
lean silently back in one corner of the carri>
age, nor break ths stiffness by word.
did not see Yane in these months. OF
course loved him still, spite of the cruel
fate that had separated us. The first doubt
which crossed my mind on this score came
one day as I sat at the head Of my own Ia
BILE. We had some few guests to dinner
when caught these words spoken by my
husband.
"Tbe nan who tells a woman that no
loves her, yet does not ask her then and
there to become his wife, offers her an In>
Ny cheeks dyed crimson. Hekpew uoth-
ing, yet it was as though he laid my heart
bare Oh. how glad was to say good night
and a. to Ny own room.