The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-09-20

We had met at several parties; each
had recognized in the other kin,lre,:
spirit; and, as he was an habitue OF
the house in which l was visiting, it
became . matter Of course that he
should escort me to the various places
OF amusement ard show me '.the
lions" l loved music. but had enjoyed
few opportunities If hearing il; no
stars ever wandered SD far out Of their
accustomed orbit as cur 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 We'd
nesday organ concerts, l consented,
little knowing what awaited NE.
When. the first piece was over q
remember it was the Tannhauser over.
ture), sat quite still, the tears ra;ned
down my face but no words would
come. Then it was l knew IN an in
slant how perfectly sympathetic We're
my companion AMI myself; if ne had
at that moment uttered one of the
commonplace ~ conventional crit.
cisms ole hears So often, | should
have hated him forever. But
he did not he only said very quietly,
after I had recovered myself q little,
II am 81 thankful You heard it first
with me- and l replied, If only it
might last forever
From that day our friendship ripen-
eel 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 !
studied ont with his advice and assist
ance the music we had heard together.
When spring came. and Alice began to
ne. for nv return to her, it was hard
for ne to think of all from which
going home must separate me. And.
to all appearances lie felt it, too. l
could not doubt that he had a very
treat interest in me, he had given So
many proofs of it. Would he, /
wondered, speak some decisive word
before left! Would not he ask per-
mission to visit me in my country
home? So dreamed OH until the last
evening came. For hours the draw
ing rooms had been crowded with
guests. assembled to bid me adieu.
Many a kindly greeting was spoken
many a wish expressed that We might
soon all meet again. But not until
very late, when almost every one had
gone, did Mr.. West appear. l knew
at a glance that something was wrong.
and my heart sank within me. ]
talked OH, however, as merrily As be-
fore, giving to each bright word, a
gay goodbye, wishing, oh how earn
estly, that it was ali over. AT last We
were alone. Ny hostess. wearied by
the evenings exertions, begged to be
excused, adding, jestingly: If one
Of the single gentlemen had lOitered
so long. Nellie, after all the rest, l
should be rather suspicious on this last
night; but there is no danger Of any.
thing serious coming to pass now. so
will say good night. Pray, Mr..
West, do not be taken with one of
your musical fevers and persuade Miss
Langdon to open the piano, for she is
very tired, and must set out on her
journey at q most unearthly hour in
the morning."
As she turned to 60 Mr.. West said,
in low, strange voice: 81 must say
goodbye. too, Mrs. Gordon. This
evenings mail has brought me letters
which oblige me to leave tomorrow
for Cuba"
"What! No bad news from Mrs.
West, hope ?" she asked anxiou>ly.
"My wife is very i'll, and wishes me
to join her at once"
II am so sorry; but sincerely
hope you will find her better OF your
arrival. Give her my kind regards
and good wishes. How we shall miss
you! Pray write and keep us in
formed of Mrs. Vests health. and let
us see You Immediately on your re-
turn = and. with few more friendly
words, she left the room.
His wife These two words burned
into my brain like Goals Of fire. l
could not think, nor wonder, nor ask
a question. My one idea was to es-
cape without betraying my suffer-
ing; to insure his leaving with
ont discovering what those two
little words, spoken so calmly and
unconsciously, ''your wife" had
wrought for me! In that supreme
moment, in the single flush of time.
while he crossed from the door lie had
gone to open for Mrs. Gordon back to
the sofa, where l sat. my woman's
pride triumphed over every other
feeling, and spoke as calmly and de-