West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Edilh's Lover.

4
remember thinking what handsome. noble
looking couple they made, and how well it
was that my mistress had chosen Mr.. Hollis
for her future husband when 80 many at
tractive young gentlemen aspired to the
honor of her hand.
As | approached, Mr.. Hollis was saying:
Tomorrow is our wedding day, dear
Edith Tomorrow | can scarcely realize
it, All, how proud and glad am"
My lady looked up at this moment her
cheeks all aglow, her eyes shining with hap
piness. Hearing my step she said in her
gentle way.
''What is it, Jennie 2"
"A strange woman has presented herself
at the kitchen door, madam. She asked for
you and will not be denied. She does not
i've IN these parts, | think her accent and
dress are both peculiar Good gracious,
there she comes now, and | left her on the
kitchen step!'
My mistress looked in the direction indi-
Gated and beheld "A dropping, forlorn figure
slowly advancing from the rear Of the house
She changed color and drew back with IA
startled cry:
"MTs. Hawkinsl"
The woman came nearer and paused on
the upper step, looking curiously about her
"FOrgive me for comm" she said, i'm a
low, broken voice 1T amt right To be
troublin' one like you. But what could
do with him beggin and pleadin' and fret
tin himself ill ? ! hadn't the heart to refuse
his prayer, and"
'Hush :" My mistress drew her strange
visitor hurredly down the steps.
She was very pale and trembled with ex-
element.
''No more now-I cannot listen" said
ola L.. Il
with me come again by-and-Dy when | am
alone"
The woman sighed heavily.
Let me give you this note, ma 'am-its
from him, an I'll trouble you no more
You'll read ii, an do all it asks, ma'am I"
she added quite plaintivelv, as she thrust
bit of crumpled paper into my lady's hand.
Eyes, yes. Now gO-go at once :"
81 will. But don't disapp'int him, ma am;
don't do it,"
There was desperation in her voice and
lOoks-perhaps even menace-as she turned
and made her way with difficulty down the
path.
Mr. Hollis naturally made some INJURY as
to the strange visitor, but, at Miss Edith's
solicitation, he dropped the subject, and
soon afterward went away.
About 10 o'clock that night my lady's
bNii ohiAlihbAith lilt ~ ltI ClldlnDfTs
found her sitting with her wraps on and
n bit of paper-the same the woman had
given her-clenched in her hand
Her face wore . sadder expression than
! had ever seen upon it before.
Jenny, she SAID. turning i'm her chair
as | entered, ''do YOU know place in the
village called Holmes Cottage Z"
Eyes, ma'am."
GOOD. Get your bonnet wish you to
take me there. ] wish TO set ont at once ~
''But it is long distance, madam if you
must go, shall / not order the carriagcW
''I do not wish this visit known to any
one else in the houee, Jenny The servants
would think strange Of IT, You, am sure,
are discreet and faithful"
We left the house by a side door, locking
1t and taking the key with us.
Presently we reached Holmes Cottage
IL was a long, low building in the outskirts
Of the village, at some distance from any
other dwelling Since my knowledge of
the house began, IL had been occupied by
the poorer class of tenants.
''SOme one ! wish TO see is here, - she
said, quietly. 'Remain outside Jenny, !
shall not be long away"
She entered without knocking and closed
the door. The next instant heard glad
cry within then a burst of sObs.
Suddenly Mr.. Hollis confronted me, his
face white and convulsed i'm the moonlight
TEL me-" he said in a husky whisper,
''was II Edith, my promised wife, that went
IN at yOnder dOOrY'
i could not speak, but my looks answered
him.
He dropped my hand and was turning
away when few agitatcd words came
through the open window
edith, knew you would come my pre-
cious darling, my wife You were not 40
cruel as TO forsake me utterly"
II was q mans voice, but Mr.. Hollis seem.
ed to hear simple word only Of those il
uttered.
"Wife' he echoed in a hollow tone.
'Wife And tomorrow was To have been
our wedding day"
In spite Of my teror and bewildcrmeut,
J had the presence OF mind 90 grasp his arm
and drag him further away from the house.
What brings you here Y'' / acrnly de-
manded. "Why have you followed usYn
81 did not follow you; / am no spy il
was chance that brought INC in this direc-