Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-01-05


gan to beg for my return to her, it was
hard for me to think of ali from which
going home must separate me. And,
to all appearances, he felt it too. |
could not doubt that he had very
great interest in me-he had given SO
many proofs of it. Would he, won
dered, speak some decisive word before
I left? Would not he ask permission
to visit me In my country home? So
[ dreamed until the last evening came.
For hours the drawing had
been crowded with guests, assembled
to bid me adieu. Many kindly greet
ing was spoken-many a wish express
ed that we might soon all meet again.
But not until very late, when almost
every one had gone, did Mr., West ap-
pear. knew at a glance that some
thing was wrong, and my heart sank
within me. | talked on, however, as
merriIy as before, giving to each a
bright word, a gay good-by, wishing,
oh how earnestly, that it was all over.
At last we were alone. My hostess,
wearied by the evenings exertions,
begged to be excused, adding, jesting-
ly: IF one of the single gentlemen had
loitered so long, Nelly, after all the
rest, | should be rather suspicious on
this last night; but there is no danger
of anything serious coming to pass
now-so 1 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 a most unearthly hour in
the morning"
As she turned 10 go Mr.. West said,
is a low, strange voice: II must say
good-by, too, Mrs. Gordon. This even
ing'S mail has brought me letter which
oblige me TO leave tomorrow for
Cuba"
"What! No bad news from Mrs.
West, hope?' she asked anNously.
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 you'll Pray
write and keep us informed of Mrs.
Vests health, and les US see you i'm
mediately 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. /
could not think, nor wonder, nor ask
a question. My one idea was tc escape
without betraying my suffering; to in
sure his leaving me without discover
ing what those two little words, spoken
so calmly and unconsciously, ''you1
wife!" had wrought for me! 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 50 painful an errand," | said: "and
allo" me, though stranger to Mrs.
West, to send a message of good wishes
for her recovery"
He looked at me keenly and long,
but my impassive face and measured
tones bafficd even that sharp scrutiny.
"You know, then, that [ had the
good fortune to be a married man,
he said. From a remark you made
yesterday l imagined for a moment
that you were not aware of it; and
strange as it may appear, rather
think Mrs Gordon's mention of my
wife Just now is the first that has
CHANGED to be made before you. j
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, MIR. West that "Bene-
dick the married man. always shows
his colors in spite Of himself? I hope
certainly, to have the pleasure of max
ing Mrs. Vests acquaintance, and oil
telling her how much | am indebted tC
you for many acts of kindness and
courtesy. And now, if you will not
think me rude, l must ask you to lei
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 intently upon me, seem
ing to ask, els this all true?"
How / reached my house I cannot
tell. even now. The journey was &C
complished, however, and on the even
ing of the following day [ threw my
self into Alices arms; and when
shocked, [ suppose, at the changed
face thai met hers, she exclaimed
" What is the matter, Nelly, dear?" /
entreated: "Do Tot ask me any ques-
tons; only love Away"
After few days [ opened my heart
and told her al, but begged that the
subject might never again be mention
ed between us.
And now my life was indeed a blank.
[ was not i'll in body, so | said; and
when it was remarked that became
thinner and paler, [ attributed all to
my dissipation and late hours in Bos-
ton. There was no longer anything
that pleased or displeased, interested or
wearied, amused or annoyed me, l
dared neither look backward nor for
ward. | read without receiving the
slightest impression from the page
[ turned over, and listened to
Alice's sweet voice and to the kindly
conversation Of friends and neighbors
without understanding or caring for the
words. Thus it was with me when at
last the time came that Alice decided
on a change of residence, and, for be-
ginning, resolved on trying how we
should like New York. l said: ''New
York will do as well as any other place,
if you will let ME stay quietly al
home" And SO we went, Alice and l
and a faithful old woman, who had
been with lis from OLE childhood aud