Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-12-30

| ly: eff one of the single gentlemen had
loitered so long, Nelly, after al the
rest, should be rather suspicious on
this last night; but there is no danger
of anything serious coming to pass
now-so will say good night. Pray,
Mr.. West, do not be taken with one of
your musical fevers and request 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,
| is low, strange voice: 81 must say
/ good-by, too, Mrs. Gordon. This even
ing's mail has brought me letter which
oblige me TO leave tomorrow for
Cuba"
"Whatl No bad news from Mrs.
West, hope" she asked anxIously.
"My wife is very IL, and wishes me
to join her at once"
Il am so sorry; but sincerely hope
you will find her better on your arrival.
Give her my kind regards and good
wishes. How we shall miss youl Prav
write and keep us informed Of Mrs.
Vests health, and les US see you i'm
mediately on your RETURN" and with
a few more friendly words, she left the
room.
His wifel These two words burned
into my brain like Goals of fire. /
could not think, nor wonder, ror ask
a question. My one idea was to escape
without betraying my suffering; to In
sure his leaving me without discover
ing what those two little words, spoken
so calmly and unconsciously, your
wife, had wrought for mel In that
supreme moment, in the single flash OF
time, while he had crossed from the
door he had gone to open for Mrs.
Gordon, back to the sofa, where | sat,
my woman's pride triumped every
other feeling, and spoke as calmly
and deliberately as if no tempest ragged
within.
"You must let me, too, express my
regret that your are summoned away
on so painful an errand," said: "and
allow me, though stranger to Mrs.
| West, to send message of good wishes
for her recovery.
He looked at me keenly and long,
but my impassive face and measured
tones baflled even that sharp scrutiny.
"You know, then, that | had the
good fortune to be a married MANI?
he said. From remark you made
yesterday | imagined for moment
that you were not aware of it; and
strange as it may appear, | rather
think Mrs. Gordor's mention Of my
wife just now is the first that has
CHANGED to be made before you
wanted you to know it before we part
ed. came here tonight partly tC
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
dick the married man always show,
his colors in spite Of HIMSELF | hope
certainly, to have the pleasure Of max
ing Mrs. Vests acquaintance, and o
telling her how much am indebted Il
you for many acts Of kindness anC
courtesy. And now, if you will no
think me rude, | must ask you to lie
me say good-by, for / have still NOR,
packing to attend to"
"Good-by," said he. Not anothe
word escaped him, but that piercing
eye was fixed intently upon NE, seem
ing to ask, Is this all true ?"
How | reached my house | canno
tell even now. The journey was &C
complshed, however, and on the even
ing Of the following day threw my
self into Alice's arms; and whel
shocked, | suppose, at the changed
face that met hers, she exclaime!
what is the matter, Nelly, dear ?"
cntreated: Do lot ask me any ques
tions; only love Away
After few days | opened my hear
and told her all, but begged that III,
subject might never again be mention
Cd between us.
And now my life was indeed blank
was not i'll in body, 50 | said; ant
when it was remarked that | becam
thinner and paler, | attributed all L
my dissipation and late hours III Bos
ton. There was no longer anything
that pleased or displeased, interested o
wearied, amused or annoyed me,
dared neither look backward nor for
ward. | read without receiving th,
slightest impression from the pag
turned over, and listened t.
Aliee's sweet voice and to the kindl,
! conversation Of friends and neighbor
without understanding or caring for TIN
: words. Thus it was with ME when a
last the time came that Alice decided
on a change of residence, and, for be
ginning, resolved on trying how w
should like New York. / said: "Neg
York will do as well as any other place
if you will let me stay quietly a
home" And SO we went, Alice and
and faithful old woman, who hat
been with us from our childhood, ant
loved and watched over us as if ",
were her very own. We established
ourselves at the Everett, and had beer
there for several months,
In all this time | had heard nothin,
of Henry West, but that his wife ha,
recovered from her illness III Cub:
and returned with him To Boston il
the following spring In the semi-ec
casional correspondence between Mrs
Gordon and myself, his name had onl,
once occurred, wnen she wrote: "Alr
West inquired for you yesterday, AM
was grieved to learn that you had no
been well. He looks himself Yer,
badly and has los, all his spirits. Per
haps Madame's society has depress
ing effect; and no wonder, for, as yol
know: his boyish marriage was til,
great mistake Of his life, They ar
, utterly uncongenial and for year
have lived apart at least nine month
, out Of the twelve, though they ar
nominally on good terms. Now, how
ever, her health is failing very rapidly
; and ii may be that happy release 70
both is ut hand
, On the very day after had talke,
with Alice Of the possible material tina
might be found i'll the crowded street
+ Of New York we made our first nc
, quaintance there. A lady whom W
r had frequently met in the halls an,
dining room, and admired for her re
fined and dignified appearance, an,
who occupied, with stately old gen
l tleman, evidently her father, the suit
: Of rooms adjoining our own, knocke,
/ hurriedly IF our door one night afte
we had retired. Our old Margaret an
swered the summons, and the lad,
> begged that we would come to her as