Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-05-30

chester was widow now; notes begar
TO pass between her and Lydia's hus
band; and twice the wife had detected
them walking together in the dusk ol
the evening.
For weeks she had struggled against
conviction, hoping towards the last
against hope, until this day when she
had found torn and crumbled letter
hidden between the pages of book,
the first words of which drove hor al.
most insane. She remembered now
that she had surprised her husband
that morning reading letter which, to
her astonishment he had shuflled into
an open volume before him, but she
had not noticed what book it was, and
it was by accident only she now discov-
cred it.
1t was but the part of q letter, how
ever, that she found. The paper had
evidently been torn into several pieces,
and only portion had been thrust into
the book, as if $50 she reasoned now
her husbands agitation had deprived
him for the moment of his self-cOntrol.
Under any other circumstances u paper
belonging TO Leonard would have been
sacred to her, but when she saw the
first significant words, 1--WE must keep
the secret" she read Mrs. Dorchester's S
signature at the end.
Much was lost, all was more or less
incoherent, but enough remained to
convince the tortured wife that every
thing was over for her in the way of
happiness in this world.
She remained there for nearly half
an hour, dazed, crushed, not knowing
as yet what to do. The door opened at
last and old Dorcas came in. Old
Dorcas had been Lydia's nurse and had
followed her after her marriage, the
only one, poor or rich, that had stuck
to her fallen fortunes. She started
back on seeing the ashy face of her
mistress.
"What is itP" said Lydia, rousing
herself.
{" A note from Mr.. Drake" was the
reply. "But, deary me! are you i'll,
ma amp
"No, l am quito WE'LL" answered the
poor wife, with a great effort. "Ah, L
see that Mr.. Drake writes he is going to
join party to go up to Dover not to
return till night, if l will excuse his
coming back to dinner"
Yes" Doroas said, vaguely.
"The man who brought the note
waits for an answer. Tell him to say to
Mr.. Drake, Go, by all means.f l
haven't time or | would write"
Dorcas started off, but her mistress
voice again made her pause.
"When you have sent him away
come to my room-l want you," said
Lydia. .s|
There was a little delay, but when
Dorcas entered the room her mistress
was busy with traveling-bag.
"Dorcas," she said, "you have been
with me all my life-do you want to re-
main with me stillP"
The voice was so cold, the face so
white, Dorcas dared make no scene.
I'm go with you to the worlds end,
ma ami" she answered, feelingly.
"Then get ready. / am going to
Boston-on from there as fast as can.
Tell nobody. Get your things out of
lhe house as secretly as possible"
"Going? WhereP What is the mat
5erP" groaned Dorcas.
elf you can't be quiet and obey with
Out question you must stay behind"
Lydia answered, in the same hard, un-
natural voice. "Bc quick and choose
1 have no time to waste.'
She sat down and wrote letter to
ler husband, inclosed the torn pages
she had found, and poured out the mad
jealousy of the past weeks that had this
lay eliminated.
al have done now" she wrote.
'' People were right; you loved her, and
not me; and now that she is rich and /
I'm poor, | am too proud to wait till |
I'M cast off. So go, and you need not
ollow; you could not find me even if
'Ou wished. Remember that hence
orth your life is free from me. Think
If me as dead, if you like. In your
lands is the only proof of our marriage
destroy it; nothing will then stand |
between you and peace. have only to |
,eg you to forgive me for allowing you
o link your fate with a miserable and |
wife instead of with an |
leiress, as you hoped"
The letter ended as abruptly as it |
,egan and was sealed and placed on
brakes writing-table. Dorcas came |
ioftly into the room, crying a little in |
| quiet way. Everything was ready
hey could go.
Late that evening Leonard Drake re-
urned to he Mortified by the news that
lis wife was not there, though the do
nestle had supposed, from what Dor
as said, that she and her mistress had
,one to Dover to meet Mr.. Drake.
leonard took light and hurried to
uhnra hn E,.of oh l,,A |
lis eyes wasthe letter Lydia had written.
Five years had elapsed since Lydia's
But she looked older
ven than that. The agony of that
lay; the horrid flight afterward; the
onstant fear of discovery, and lastly
he struggle for bread, combined with
er never-ending heartache, had begun
o cut wrinkles in her still fair face.
In all this time she had never heard
f her husband nor of her early home.
he was too proud to return to her IA
her.
81 will starve first" she often said,
lenching her hands.
Whether Leonard was alive or dead
he did not know, nor did she wish to
INV. oOleJllucS SHG Sdlu 10 n6rSel1, |
loaning on her pillow at night; "He
with Mrs. Dorchester" and the
lought went through her heart with
ctual physical pain, like the stab of
nife.
She and her faithful Dorcas were set
ed in Boston now, in an obscure cor
er, as the least likely place to be dis
)Vered. She earned q scantY living.
nd it was one of the scantiest, by col
ring photographs. Into the more
Ishionable streets she never ventured,
Icept when she had to go to sell her
letches, or TO get orders. On one of
lese occasions she came suddenly face
} face with Mrs. Dorchester. She
lrned and fled Immediately regardless
her errand-tled down side streets
nd close alleys-and only stopped to
'eathe when she had reached her hum
g lodging in one of the most secluded
arts of the city. But hardly had she