Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-10-20
ROGER AND l.

''I'll be at the st. George Hotel at
two this afternoon. Don't disappoint
me if you still love your-Nell"
l had been married nearly year,
when l found this torn scrap Of note
in my husbands coat pocket, one bright
spring morning. He had gone away,
as usual, after breakfast. kissing me
with more than customary tenderness,
and came up to my room to find and
read this bit of treachery.
For a moment my brain seemed
turned to ice, and the place grew dark
around me; but outraged affection and
Indignation soon brought me to my
senses, and sat down to think. Alas!
1t was impossible! For an hour | was
at the tumultuous feelings, and only
forced myself to calmness by the neces-
sity Of seeking some explanation of
the mystery.
With firm, rapid step walked to
the hotel. l happened to know that
No. II was a private parlor, and seat
ing myself in one opposite, leaving the
door open, | waited AS sat in the
shadow, there was very little danger of
any one entering the room opposite
seeing me, and had disguised my dress
and wore a veil.
The clock on the neighboring church
struck two, and as 1 heard footsteps
approaching, forgetting my caution, l
threw back my veil and saw lady
entering No. H. She was slight and
dressed in deep mourning. Scarcely
had she closed the door when l heard
another step, which made my heart
sink, and l dropped my veil involun-
tarily. Nearer it came, and nearer;
all, | knew it so well! The door opened,
closed, and all was still.
A noise aroused me, and | saw the
couple leaving. 1t was well their own
thoughts kept them from seeing the
eager eyes which looked at them from
my white face. Her veil was down,
but caught glimpse of golden hair,
and saw little white hand resting on
his arm. eve will take carriage, and
have just time to catch the express
then they were gone. and with them
my happiness.
went home. Home! 1t was my
home no longer Where should 60
l had heard that there were things
person could take which would put
them to sleep so they would never
awake. | thought how | should look,
and wondered if Roger would come
and find me; if he would kiss me and
think how happy we used to be.
Then the thought came like flash
that was not alone, there was some
one else for me to think of, and
one day care for. After this my only
+bnrnh+ xx,ou 10 EpJ corr, q ,,lora NH
| could hide myself away and make
ready for my treasure. | longed to go
to my sister, but she was far away; and
think that in al my misery and an
ger | must have loved my husband, for
an instructive feeling rose in my heart
against exposing him by going away.
The memory of my childhood's nurse
came to me; she was now living in a
little village not far away, and though
now growing old, / knew she loved me
well and would care for me. As
gathered together a few things for my
present need the old love came back
to me and the tears flowed fast as
was ever reminded of the watchful
love which had cared for my wants so
tenderly, and | found myself unwilling
to part with so many little evidences of!
this affection. Then came the recol-
lection of the days bitter experience,
and l steeled my heart to all such
weaknesses and dashed my tears an
grily away.
wrote note to Rogers, telling him
the events of the day, and bidding him
farewell. There was no tenderness or
even friendliness in it. wrote as
felt, bitter, stern, and hard.hearted. l
took care to give no clue to my where
abouts, and left it on the table.
Just as | was leaving the house his
messenger boy brought me note, say
ing he had been obliged to go to town
twenty miles distant, in great haste,
but would return at midnight; in the
meantime l must not be lonely, he
would come as soon as possible. told
my girl she might have holiday for
week, and leaving the key with a
neighbor, as l often did if going out
when Roger was away, took the train
and went to Nurse Amy's. found her
alone, had strength enough to ask her
to let me stay, and then / knew no
more.
The first thing after that, that l re-
member, was early on a beautiful morn !