Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-01-08
WINSTON, NJ c., THURSDAY JANUARY g. 1880

In the outskirts OF the village. at
some distance from any other
Since my knowledge of
the house began, it had been oc-
cupied by the poor class of tenants.
Some one I wish to see in here,'
she said quietly. Remain outside,
Jenny, l shall not be long away
She entered without knocking
and closed the door. The next in-
slant l heard cry within, then a
burst OF sobs.
Suddenly Mr.. Hollis confronted
me, his face white and convulsed
in the moonlight
Tell me- he said in husky
whisper, was it Edith, my promised
wife, that went in at yonder door =
l could not speak, but my 10 obs
answered him.
He dropped my hand and turned
away, when few agitated words
came through the open window
Edith, | knew you would come!
my precious darling, my wife !
You were not SO cruel as to forsake
me utterly
1t was a mans voice, 5nt Mr..
Hollis seemed to hear a sim pie
word only of those it uttered.
'Wife!' he echoed, in a hollow
tone. Wife! Good God! And
Tomorrow was to have been our
wedding-day
In spite of my terror and be-
wilderment, 1 had the presence Of
mind to grasp his arm aud drag
him further away from that house.
'What brings You here p I stern
ly demanded. why have you fol
lowed us?'
L did not follow you [ am no
spy it was chance that brought
me in this direction to-night. Nay,
not chance be added, with sudden
vehemence, but the providence of
God
Then, before I could say a word
in reply, ne had freed himself from
my grasp and was stliding down
the shadow>haunted street.
Ten minutes later my mistress
came out. She drew deep breath
as she clasped my arm, and I felt
her tremble.
Come, Jenny, let rs get away
from here quickly, | shall be glad
to reach hume again-so glad
She looked so miserable aud
dispirited that l had not the cour .
age to tell her what had occurred
outside the cottage while she
fingered within.
Next morning, while she was at
breakfast, and the mystical stir of
the bridal preparations was going
on in the house, one of the servants
brought in large package. She
cut the cords, and out tell heap
of letters-the pure, dainty letters
she had written from time to time
to her lover-and the few books
and keepsakes she had given him
saw her stagger, turn pale and
catch her breath Then she looked
at me with bewildered air.
'I-I-don't understand. Dc
you, Jenay?'
The package and brief note il
contained were Dame Hollis = flare
we'll.
My lady did not cry or faint
Flinging the note away, she clasp
ed both bands to her forehead.
MY God! This is incompre
J hensible. What-what--does h'
mean
I can tell you, madam And
did.
| When she learned that Mr.. Hol
lis had been at Holmes Cottag
the night before, and what he hat
overheard there, instead of sinking
to tue floor in shame and confusion
as I half expected, she sprang to
wards the door with smothere'
sob OF JOY.
sOh, heaven 7 she said Come
Jenny, we have another mission t
, perform.
, where are you going?' l sale
looking at her wonderingly.
Come and see. Heaven gran
that we be not too late.
Scarcely waiting for her bonne
apd shawl, she hurried me froI
r the house.
, Presently we reached a handsom
mansion Mr.. Hollis's countr
seat. A carriage stood before th
] door and some one was just ster
ping into it.
r My lady screamed out al tn
y sight and rushed forward excited
s ly:
oh, Deane, don't go! don
leave meat least until ! hay
h been given a chance to explain
= You have misjudged me it IS a
a terrible mistake. Come with m
to Holmes Cottage, do come.
: God knows do not wish to kee
any secrets from you; not one.'
n We all entered the carriage II
gether and drove to Holmes Co
< tage.