The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-11-25

so Tar out OF their accustomed orbit as
our little country town and there was
very little native talent there. When,
therefore, Mr.. West invited me, soon
after my arrival in Boston, to attend one
of the Wednesday organ concerts, I
consented, little knowing what awaited
me.
When the first piece was over 1 re-
member it was the Tannhauser over
ture), I sat quite still, the tears rained
down my face, but ne words would come.
Then it was I knew In an instant how
perfectly sympathetic were my compan-
ion and myself if he had at that mo-
ment uttered one of the commonplace or
conventional criticisms one hears SO
often, should have hated him forever.
But he did not /; he only said very quiet
| ~ after had recovered myself little,
g am so thankful you heard it first
with me-" and I replied, eff only it
might last forever"
From that day our friendship ripened
| fast, and during the remainder of that
memorable winter, the world was very
bright to me. Every week we went TO
the Music Hall, and then I studied out
with his advice and assistance the music
we had heard together. When the
spring came, and Alice began to beg for
my return to her, it was hard for me to
think of all from which going home
must separate me-. And, to all appear
ances, he felt it too. / could not doubt
that he had very great interest in me,
he had given 50 many proofs OF it.
Would he, wondered, speak some de-
cisive word before left? Would not
he ask permission to visit me in my
country home? So dreamed ON until
the last evening came. For hours the
drawing rooms had been crowded with
guests, assembled to bid me adieu.
Many kindly greeting was spoken
many wish expressed that we might
soon all meet again. But not until very
late, when almost every one had gone,
did Mr.. West appear. I knew at q
glance that something was wrong, and
nay heart sank within me. I talked on,
however, as merrily as before, giving to
each bright word, good-by, wishing,
oh how earnestly, that it was all over.
At last we we're alone. My hostess,
wearied by the evenings exertions,
begged to be excused, adding, iesting-
| ly: eff one of the single gentlemen had
loitered so long, Nelly, after all the rest,
l should be rather suspicious on this last
night, but there is no danger of any,
thing coming to pass now-so will say
good night. Pray, Mr.. West, do not be
taken with one of your musical fevers
and pursuade Miss Langdon to open the
piano, for she is very tired and must set
out on her journey at most unearthly
hour in the morning."
AS she turned to go Mr.. West said, in
a low, strange voice: CT must say good
bye, too, Mrs. Gordon. ibis evenings
mail has brought me letters which COM
pei me to leave for Cuba"
What No bad news from Mrs.
West, [ hope ?" she asked, anxiously.
Ny wife is very i'll, and wishes me
to join her at once"
" am so sorry; but I sincerely hope
you will find her better on your arrival.
Give her my kind regards and good
wishes. How we shall miss you Pray
write and keep us informed Of Mrs.
Vests health, and let us see you imme-
diately On your return;" and, with few
more friendly words, she left the room.
His wife These two words burned
| into my brain like Goals of fire. I could
not think nor wonder nor ask question.
My one idea was to escape without be-
traying my suffering; to insure his leav-
ing me without discovering what those
two little words, spoken SO calmly and
unconsciously, "Your wife !' had
wrought for me In that supreme mo-
ment, in that single fash of time, while
he crossed from the door he had gone to
open for Mrs. Gordon back to the sofa,
where l sat, my woman's pride tri-
! umphed over every other feeling, and I
spoke as calmly and deliberately as if no
tempest ragged within"
"You must let me, too, express my
regret that you are summoned away on
so painful an errand," I said; "and al
low me. though a stranger to Mrs. West,
to send a message Of good wishes for her
recovery"
He looked at me keenly and long, but
my impressive face and measured tones
bafied even that sharp scrutiny.
"You know, then, that I had the good
fortune to be married man !" he said
"From remark you made yesterday
imagined for moment that you were
not aware of it and, strange as it may
appear, l rather think Mrs. Gordon'a
mention OF my wife, just now, is the
first that has CHANGED to be made before
you. wanted you to know it before we
parted. came here tonight partly to
define my position, as the politicians
say"
every kind of you, I'm sure ; but
you see it is quite an old story to me.
Don't you know, Mr.. West, that Bene-
dict, the married man, always shows
his color in spite of himself? I hope,
certainly, to have the pleasure of MAX
ing Mrs. Vests acquaintance, and Of
telling how much am indebted to you
for many acts of kindness and courtesy.
And now, if you will not think me rude,
/ must ask you to let me say good-by,
for | have still more packing to attend
+ to-"
"Good-by," said he. Not another
word escaped him, but that piercing eye
was fixed upon me, seeming to ask, "Is
this all true?'
How reached my house I cannot
tell, even now. My journey was accom-
pIished, however, and on the evening OF
the following day I threw myself into
Alice's arms and when shocked, I sup
pose, at the changed face that met hers,
she exclaimed: "What is the matter,
Nellie dear ?" l entreated: EDO not
ask me any questions; only love me al
ways"
After u few days I opened my heart
and told her ell, but begged that the
subject might never again be mentioned
between us.
And now my life was indeed blank.
l was not i'll in body, so 1 said and
when it was remarked that I became
thinner and paler, 1 attributed all to my
dissipation and late hours in Boston.
There was no longer anything that
pleased or displeased, Interested or
wearied, amused or annoyed me.
dared look neither backward nor forward.
| read without receiving the slightest
impression from the pages I turned
over, and listened to Alices sweet voice
and to the kindly conversation of friends
and neighbors without understanding or
caring for their words. Thus it was with
| me when at last the time came that