Daily Republican., 1882-06-15

questioned a sad, musical voice.
"Ifso, my child, your wish shall be
gratified."
And glancing up IN sudden terror,
Elsie saw the man of whom she had
spoken standing before her.
A wild heeting fancy for a moment
possessed her, that could she shut out
forever the horrid vision, and listen
only to the voice whose tones were 10
full Of melody, life might yet be endura.
BILE. But oh, to live day by day, to
spend her hours sleeping and waking,
side by side with this spectre of ugll.
ness she could not, and spite of herself
her sobs burst out thick and fast.
"Elsie," said her hupuand, 81 knew
my sickness had altered me, but did
not realize how great the change had
been. But believe me, when your
father placed your hand in mine, he
consigned to me trust l never shall
betray. Listen! am going away on
business which will detain me until
you summon me back. We may never
meet again. 1t rests with you, but the
chains shall be made as light as In my
power. Would that | might cast them
off from you forever You will write
to me, will you not? You will let me
write to you" All ask is that may
hear from yOu-that | may know the
step have taken is bringing the happi-
ness / would gladly lay down my life
to procure"
Was it fancy that his voice broke
here in a sob-fancy that a kiss fell as
feather on her brow, a whispered bless
ing on the air? She knew not; but,
when she raised her head, she was
alone, and thrill of pity ran through
her for the man she had exiled-the man
whose generous nobility had called
that pity forth-the man who3e fate
was, perhaps, harder than her own.
Two years passed slowly by, spent by
Elsie in the luxurious retirement of her
beautiful home. They seemed almost
cream, made reality by the letters
hich came, from time to time, to cheer
her solitude-etters at first received
shudderipgly, but which she grew at
last to look for, to long for, 30 well did
the writer seem to understand the want
of her heart. 1t was as though he
touched delicate instrument, and
knew how to bring music from each |
hidden chord.
His last letter ran thus:
Have you so conquered your repug.
nance that you would welcome friend |
tor my sake-Shat you would receive
him for short tint as your guest? AS
your aunt makes her home with you, it
will bs in accordance with the proprie-
ties; and you will not refuse me the
happiness of learning something of your
daily life from his lips, on his return.
Ii tho qualification of this wish should
cause you annoyance, consider it un-
made; but l think yon will fEd Mr..
Bayard guest by no means trouble
some" L
When would this stranger arrive
hand who was to her unknown This
was her daily thought until one morn
ing, preparing for her drive, his card i
was put into her hand, and she descen- {
led instantly 10 the drawing-room to {
meet him and bid him welcome. ID
She almost hoped she might find him t
Did and ugly and disagreeable, that f
Size might do the more. A wish of
Coles 1t seemed almost like some |
stonemcnt to grant it.
But, as she stands upon the thresh-
lOld, she starts. The man who has
'isen, ready to receive her, is the hand.
omest she has ever seen. His cheek :,
'ears the perfect glow of health his =
yes, dark and lustrous, are bent upon
Ter with light beneath which hers =
luail his hair falls in short, cluster u
ng rings round high white forehead
nj when she approaches, with strange
onstrained welcome, her head scarce
y comes to the level of the broad 0
houlders. tt
But he bends over the little band "
With the reverence due q queen, and n
n that moment she fe6ls how easy
thing it will ba to give the stranger
he welcome and the friendship her II
usband had asked for him at her II
ands. 81
No longer the days drag, or the "
ours seem long. She has wandered
ito the realms Of delight. She has
let mind with inexhaustible wealth. es
ne has grown to watch his coming, sf
begrudge the moments spent away al
ON his side, ere, with lightning flash, al
10 realizes whittier she has drifted
18th the current.
His visit has drawn to a close. He ",
to leave her. The future rises bar io
N and desolate before her. Alas ~
be sighs in vain for the old elnptin sss
the past.
Why had Cole done this thing st
'hy sent this man, with the wonder. N
Il fascination of his presence added
his handsome face, to poison her
fe? II;
But she gives no outward sign only M
> watches The lovely cheek grow pale,
Id the little hand trenble within ar
$ own as she falters her good by" fla
'r asks him TO come again. X
Then she flies to her boudoir, and in
moment her pen is flying over her ao
Iper. She writes ~
"YOu said you would come when I
yon. bid you come now -,
bid you teach me wifes duty to, VI
ard a husband; to better fulfill my -
ar fathers dying wish TO forgive -
. these years of coldness, and let me I
one for them in the future to be II
tier worthy the generous nobility e
u have shown tc one so undeserving
it n' \
Her letter dispatched, she knew her w
ty done. At least her husbands
election would be hers She needed
against herself-against this new,
'ange, blissful misery which had ~
'pt into her life. This suffering she =
lst hide from every eye nor fail in roo
, duty of q woman and wife. win
But when, a few weeks later, she ecu
ew her husband had answered her pla
peal, was waiting her approach, gu Su
'at sob rose in her throat, and the and
,m grew black, as she advanced to gist
leone him. SaI
Then the list cleared, and she saw sts
was not he, but Mr.. Bayard, who pap
cd before her.
Cole p she gasped, "where is he ?"
Here, my wife" he answered open
!. wide his arms. v
,au you forgive the deception 1 have tel