Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-08-18
A Young Wirc's STORY.

Two letters for Mrs. Aylmer. There,
take them, Annie, aud read them,whlle
l rls over my correspondence
And. with tender smile, my hus-
band-he who only yesterday had borne
me from the altar lovelcas BRIDE
passed over to me the letters he had
lust received from the hands Of the con-
cierge of the Partisan hotel where we
were staying on the first stage on our
honeymoon trip.
It was the first timeI had seen my
married name boldly inscribed upon an
envelope, and think 1 only then fully
realized that 1 was only Philip Aylmer's
welded wife, to have and to hold un-
I'll death did us part.
Was it this thought, or the sudden
sight Of handwriting strangely famil-
lar, which caused me to shudder and
grow pale?
One Of the letters was from my moth
or. I knew what it would say before
I opened it-how che would tell me
oyer again of The nobility Of the man [
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 telI-tale flush their
glance brought to my cheek?
Good news, my darlingv he ques-
toned, tenderly.
/ have not had time 10 find out l
answered, urtly. L like TO read my
letters alone
A hurt look came over Philips face,
but he SAID nothing, and half hour la
ter was alone and opened the letter
from the man loved.
Yes, was a wife-a bride, in fact;
but my heart had meyer been gwen into
my husbands keeping.
1 did not pause to think which Of my
gods was the moro worthy. L only
knew that Vane Marston's eyes had
burned their way into my soul-and
yet was another mans wife!
How did II all happen? could hard
| ly tell myself. 1 know Vane loyed me-
he had told me, but he had never asked
me to become his vile. Aud now
held his letter in my hand, and the con-
tent, which during these three quie
days, had crept into my heart vanish
ed in a maelstrom of anguish. Thus
began the letter to me, another mans
wife -
My Darling-They tell me'You arr
married. 1 cannot, dare not believe it.
Thus it ran, a series Of mad re-
proaches for Inconsistency aud faith
lessness, until / could no longer read
and with the sheet crushed in my hand.
fell, bitterly sobbiug, across the bed.
l did not hearmy husband enter the
loom, l was scarcely conscious that b
took the letter from my hand.
Look at me- be said.~ i though
you pure innocent child, whose hear
was an open page before me. Who
this man that he should write sue
words to my wife? Coward!
He is neither l answered, stung t
action by the words. lie is the man
= love-
What, then, am I =
The man | hate, l answered, reck
lessly. and buried nay face once more il
. the pillows.
When raised it was alone.
I l did not see my husband until even
e ing. Then he entered my room.
l had time in all these hours for re
t pentauce, and, spnnging to meet hin
/ would have thrown myself into b
arms, with my prayer for forgiveness
t but he held me from him and spOk
e gravely and sternly:
y T have been thinking since left yo'
If Annie, what was best to do. II "
g separate now it will only give IL
/. world cause for scandal. l want
e propose that we live out our lives t
o rether in the eyes Of the world, thoug
e I promise never to enforce husband
it claim upon Sou. Will you accede
Is my proposal?'
No, no, Philip 1 cried Il viii
y your wife. In time 1 will forget
Is time will learn TO love you. Forgi'
l' me, and accept me back
is TO forviye Is easier than 10 forget
ll he answered. The gift you offer
=! yaluless-a flower without its song
II Heaven help the husband whose wi
re offers him duty, when in her heart
le thought was written love!
With these words he had turned al
III left me.
'e NV husband faithfully kept his wor
lie We curtailed our wedding tour.
ed seemed too bitter a mockery to go iro
7! place TO place, both carrying this seer
n, in our breasts, and l was glad to
DC back TO London.
|! Invitations posred in upon us.
ot drawing or ballroom, my husband W
ny ever courteous and attentive; but as
of drove TO or from some entertalnme
lg each would lean silently back in o
y corner of the carriage, nor break
sc stiffness by word. :, -,
o. | did not see Vane in all The
ne months. Of course 1 loved him st
sir spite of the cruel fate that had separa'
he us. The first doubt which crossed
be mind on this score, came one day a
,,,v n.vn table.