The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-26
My Husbands Love.

take them, Annie, and read them, while /
run over my correspondence.
And with tender smile, my husband
he who only yesterday had borne me from
the altar lovclcss britlc-passcd over to
me the letters lie 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
ricd name boldly inscribed upon an cnvel-
ope: and ] think l only then fully re-
allied that | was Philip Aymcr's welded
wife, to have and to hold until death did
us part.
Was it this thought, or the sudden, sight
Of handwriting strangely familiar, which
caused me to shuddcr and grow pale.
One of the letters was from my mother
| knew what she would say before opened
it-how she would tell nc over again the
old story Of the nobility Of the man had
married, and her joy that my ship had rid
den into such safe anchorage.
The othcr-why was it that, as my fin
gers touched it, myhusband raised his eyes
to see tic tell-tale flush their glance brought
TO my cheek?
Good news, my darling2' he questioned
tenderly.
81 have not had time to find OUT" an
swered curtly. 81 like to read my letters
alonc.' T. Nh
A hurt look came over Philips face,
but l.c SAID nothing, and half hour later
was alone and had opened the letter from,
the man loved. A
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 moro worthy. l only knew
that Vanc Marston's eyes mad burned, their
way into my soul-and yet was another
mans wife!
How did it all happen7 could hardly
tell myself. knew Vanc loved me; he
had told me, but he never asked me to be-
come his wife. And now l held his letter
these three quiet days had crept into
my heart, vanished in a maelstrom of an
guish. Thus began the letter to me, an
other mans wife:
"My Darling-They tell Inc you arc
married. Icannot, dare not, believe it,"
Thus it ran, series of mad rcproaches
for Inconsistency and faithlessncss, until I
could no longer read, and with the sheet
crushed in my hand, fell bitterly sobblng,
across the bed.
did not hear my husband enter the
room, was scarcely conscious that he took
the letter from my hand.
'Look at me, ," he said. 81 thought YOU
were pure innocent child, whose heart
was an open page before. Who IS this man
that he should write such words to my
wife3 Coward! Curl ma q #E H4
'Hc is neither" y! Unanswered, &stung to
action by the words. "He is the man
love. .vs' .
"What, then, am II"
''rhe man hate;" answered reckless
ly, and buried my face once more i'll the
pillows.
When raised 1t l 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 sprnging to meet hlln,
would have thrown myself in his arms,
with my prayer for forgiveness, but he held
mo from him and spoke gravely and stern
ly.
81 have been thinking since left you,
Annie, what,was best to do If VIC sepa-
rate now it will only give the world cause
for scandal. want to propose that we live
together in the eyes of the world, though
promise never to enforce husbands clam
upon you. Will you acccde to my pro-
posal2"
mo, no, Philip" cried 'I will be
your wife. In time will forget-in time
will learn to love you: Forgive me, ac-
cept me backl" a7#
''To forgive Is easier than to forget" he
answered. '"rhe gift you offer IS value.
ess-a flower without It's fragrance, bird
without It's song. Heaven help the husband
whose wife offers him duty, when in hcl
heart he thought was writton lovel" '' 8.
With these words lie turned and left
me.
My husband faithfully kept his word. W.
lcurtailed our wedding tour. 1t seemed tot
bitter a mockery to go from place to place
both carrying this secret in our breasts, ant
| was glad to get back in London.
Invitations were poured upon us. II
drawing or ball room, my husband was eve
courteous and attentive; but as we drove t.
or from some entertainment each woul(
lean silently back ksinsone corner Of the car
riage. nor break the Stiffness BY q VOID.
did not see Vane in these months. O
course / loved hlm still, spite Of TIL
heartless fate that had 30 cruelty sepa
rated us. The first doubt which cross