Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-08-03
A Young Wife's Story.

1t may be your turn next.
A Young Wife's Story.
1.-TWO letters for Mrs. Aylmer. There,
take them, Annie, and read them, while
run over my correspondence"
And, with tender smile, my hus-
band-he who only yesterday had borne
me from the altar q loveless br1de-pass-
ed over to me the letters he had just re-
ceiyed from the hands of the concierge
of the Partisan hotel where we were
staying on the first stage on our honey
moon trip.
It was the first time had seen my
married name boldly inscribed upon an
envelope, and think I only then fully
realized that I was only Philip Aylmer,s
welded wife, to have and to hold until
death did us part.
Was it this thought, or the sudden
sight of handwriting strangely famil-
lar, which caused me to shudder ana
grow pale?
One of the letters was from my MOTH
er. I knew what it would say before
opened it-how she would tell me over
again of the nobility of the man l had
married, and her joy that my ship had
ridden into such safe anchorage.
The other-why was it that, as my
fingers touched it, my husband raised
his eyes to see the tell-tale flush their
glance brought to my cheek?
"Good news, my darling!" he ques-
toned, tenderly.
IT have not had time to find out"
answered, CURLY. II like to read my
letters alone"
A hurt look came over Philips face,
but he said nothing, and a half hour la
ter wasalone and had opened the letter
from the man loved.
Yes, was wife-a bride, in fact but
my heart had never been given into my
husbands keeping.
I did not pause to think which Of my
gods was the more worthy. L only
knew that Vane Marston's eyes had
burned their way into my soul-and yet
I was another mans wife!
How did it all happen could hard
ly tell myself. know Vane loved me;
he had told me, but he had never asked
me to become his wife. And now !
held his letter in my hand, and the con.
tent. which during these three quiet
DAYS, had crept into my heart vanish
ed in maelstrom of anguish. Thus be-
gan the letter to me, another mans
wife -
my Darling-They tell me you are
married. cannot, dare not believe it. y
Thus it ran, series of mad reproach
es. for Inconsistency and faithlessness
until could no longer read, and with tn
sheet crushed in my hand, fell, bitterl!
sobbing, across the bed.
I did not hear my husband enter tn
room, I was scarcely conscious that b
took the letter from my hand:
"Look at me-" he said. II though
YOU a pure innocent child, whose hear
was an open page before me. Who i
this man that he should write sucl
words to my wife? Coward!
HE is neither" answered, stung T.
action by the words. HE is the man
love-"
"What, then, am I ?"
1.-THE man hate" I answered, reck
lessly, and buried my face once more il
the pillows.
when raised it was alone.
did not see my husband until even
ing. Then he entered my room.
I had had time in all these hours TO
repentance, and, springing to meet him
would have thrown myself into hi
arms, with my prayer for forgiveness
but he held me from him and spOk
gravely and sternly:
II have been thinking since left you
Annie, what was best to do. If W
separate now it will only give the worl!
cause for scandal. I want to propos
that we live out our lives together in tn
ewes of the world, though / promis
never to enforce husbands claim upo
you. Will you accede to my proposal !?
mo, no, Philip" cried 81 will b
your wife. In time 1 will forget
time I will learn to love you. Forgiv
me, and accept me back"
ITO forgive is easier than to forget,
he answered. 1.-THE gift you offer
valueless-a flower without Its song
Heaven help the husband whose wifi
offers him duty, when in her heart h
thought was written love ~
With these words he had turned an
left me.
NV husband faithfully kept his WORD
we eurtailed our wedding tour. ]
seemed too bitter mockery to go fror
place to place, both carrying this secre
in our breasts, and was glad to get bac
to London.
Invitations poured in upon us:
drawing or ballroom, my husband wa
ever courteous and attentive; but as W
drove to or from some entertainment
corner of the carriage, nor break tn
stiliness-by a word.
I did not see Vane in all these months
OF course loved him still, spite of tn
cruel fate that had separated us. Tn
first doubt which crossed my mind OF
this score, came one day as sat at tn
head of my own table. We had SOM
few guests to dinner, when eaugh
these words, spoken by my husband
1.-THE man who tells woman that d
loves her, yet does not ask her then AM
there to become his wife, offers her 81
insult"
My cheeks dyed crimson He knew
nothing, yet it was as though he ha.
y laid my heart bare. Oh, how glad
was to say good night, and fly TO m.
A fortnight later, I went to ball
given in my honor. For the first tim
since my marriage, wore my wedding
dress. The. picture the glass reflected
was very fair. So I told myself withou
single pulse of vanity, as turned
away from it and ran down thestairs tx
meet my husband. His face grew death
ly white as he saw me,
1 knew not why, but this caused me
quick pang of pain, as sat alone in |
quiet corner of the gay scene, littl'
later watching him as his eye searched
the room, perhaps looking for me, ant
| realized something of the innate no
bility of the man whose heart had 81
ruthlessly trampled upon.
A voice aroused me-a voice who's
honeyed accents had often fallen on my
ear with the same tenderness they nov
breathed, though he. now spoke to an
other.
The window in which I sat concealed
me from view. I could see the false