Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-10-17
NV Husbands Love.

And, with tender smile, my hus-
band-he who only yesterday had borne
me from the altar loveless brIde-pass-
ed over to me the letters he had just re-
ceived from the hands of the concierge
of the Partisan hotel where we were
staying on the first stage of our honey
moon trip. -
It was the first time [ had seen my
married name boldly inscribed upon an
envelope, and l think l only then fully
realized that | was Philip Aylmer's
welded wife, to have and to hold until
death did US part.
Was 1t this thought, or the sudden
sight of a handwriting strangely famil-
lar, which caused me to shudder and
grow pale?
One of the letters was from my moth
er. knew what it would say before |
opened it-how she would tell me over
and over again 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 tell-tale flush their
glance brought to my cheek.
"Good news, my darling % he ques-
toned, tenderly.
ii have not had time to find out" [
answered, curtly. 81 like to read my
letters alone"
A hurt look came over Philips face,
but he said nothing. and half an hour
later 1 was alone and had opened the
letter from the man [ loved.
Yes, | was a wife-a bride, in fact;
but my heart had never been given into
my husbands keeping.
did not pause to think which of my
gods was the more worthy. I only
knew that Vane Marston's eyes had
burned their way into my soul-and yet
| was another mans wife.
How did it all happen? l could
hardly tell myself. I knew Vane loved
me; he had told me, but he never asked
me to become his wife. And now l
held his letter in my hand, and the con-
tent, which. during these three quiet
days, had crept into my heart, vanished
in a maelstrom of anguish. Thus be-
gan the letter to me, another mans
wife:
"MY DARLING They tell me you
are married. l cannot, dare not, be-
lieve it."
Thus it ran, a series of mad reproach-
es for INCONSISTENCY and faithlessness, un-
til l could no longer read. and, with the
sheet crushed in my hand, fell, bitterly
sobbing, across the bed.
l did not hear my husband enter the
room. I was scarcely conscious that
he took the letter from my hand.
"Look at me. he said. II thought
you pure. innocent child, whose heart
was an open page before me. Who is
this man that he should write such
words to my wife? Coward Cur
"He is neither" l answered, stung to
action by the words. "He is the man I
love-"
What, then, am p
"The man | hate [ answered, reck-
lessly, and buried my face once more in
the pillows. ~af
When | raised it | was alone.
I did not see my husband until even
ing. Then he entered my room.
| had had time in all these hours for
repentance, and. springing up to meet
him, would have thrown myself in his
arms, with my prayer for forgiveness,
but he held me from him and spoke
gravely and sternly.
81 have been thinking since [ left
you, Annie, what was best to do. If we
separate now it will only give the world
cause for scandal. I want to propose
that we live out our lives together in
the eyes of the world. though 1 promise
never to enforce husbands claim upon
you. Will you accede to my proposal p
"No, no. Philip" l cried 81 will be
your wife. In time will forget it-in
time will learn to love you. Forgive
, me and accept me back y
ITO forgive is easier than to forget, .
: he answered. ''The gift you offer is
valueless-a flower without its fra
GRANGE, bird without its song, Heav'
en- help the husband whose wife offers
: him duty. when in her heart he thought
was written love-"
: With these words he turned and lef
| me.
My husband faithfully kept his word
| We curtailed our wedding tour. L
seemed too bitter mockery to 60 from
place to place, both carrying this secre
in our breasts, and was glad to ge
back to London.
Invitations poured in upon us. Ii
drawing or ballroom, my husband wa
e ever courteous and attentive; but as W.
drove to or from some entertainment
e each would lean silently back in on,
: corner of the carriage. nor break th'
t stiffness by word.