The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-10-24
Chapter XVI.

iuOIIOW night dt Ten % clOCk, at tu6 Cudp-
ing Cross Station, shall wait for you.
FRANK"
For a whole month Sylvia had expected
\ this letter; for month she had sought to
/ induce her brother-in-law to place on pa
/ per the written expression Of his passion.
1t was not easy to peryert this young
heart, naturally so frank and honest.
When she believed him nearly subiugated,
his sense Of right conquered, and he was
ready to fly from her for ever. Therefore,
when this letter was banded to her one
morning, she was very triumphant. Ma
dame Zola was there; she had come laden
with complaints from George.
"Ah, the poor fellow said the senti-
mental Partisan; "if you could but see
how unhappy he isG
And while She spoke She united her
music, where she had hidden his letter,
only too delighted TO have any part in this
love-affair, where n tyrant of a husband
was to be outwitted and punished.
Strangely enough, while Madame lola had
no objection to carrying love-letters to
and fro, she had never either written or
received one herself.
When Sylvia showed Franks letter to
madame, the latter said:
.'And what did you replyr
"Yes; neither more nor lessw
| "Whati do YOU mean TO run away with
that madmani'
Sylvia laughed eontemptuously.
Mot exactly. / said Yes, so that he
might wait for me Mt the lailway-station.
He deserves at least half an hour of
! suspense. He has made me miserable
! for month. | have been obliged to
change my daily habits, and to close my
| doors on all my friends, beginning with
| George and ending with yourself; for you
know, my dear, that he did not approve
of YOU He thinks Frenchwomen danger
ous."
But Sylvia did not say that her strong
est reason for disliking her brother-in-
law was that he had terrified her by
threats of exposure 10 her husband. Ever
since that day IN the summef-house she
had felt i'll at ease in Florence's presence,
and was haunted by constant wonder as
to what he would do should he ever learn
the truth in regard to her. Those quiet,
easy-going men often have fearful tenn
pers; not tempers easily aroused, per-
haps, but like those dangerous explosive
mixtures, without smell or color, that one
dare not meddle with, because no one
knows their full power. She shivered
with dread when she thought that the
evil day might be near Mt hand. She re-
membered horrible tales of dishonored
homes, enraged husbands and deeds of
revenge. Visions of death haunted her
waking hours as well as her dreams; and
death, its eternal repose, its deep silence,
terrified this poor earthly little creature,
absorbed in pleasure. and craving for ex-
element and amusement.
This unfortunate letter put an end to
all these fears; now it was possible for
Frank to denounce her, even in moment
of rage, for he had placed a powerful
weapon in her hand. The moment he
opened his lips. that moment she would
produce his letter, and all his accusations
would seem to Florence the merest calum-
MES.
She was radiant with delight; she
threw her windows wide open to the sun
and air, and at once issued numerous or
ders to her cook and gardener. The house
must be made charming, for was not
George coming again She made arrange
msnts for large dinner at the end of the
week. She seemed as if she had just es-
capped from prison, so eager was she for
movement and life.
The next evening. Sylvia, her husband,
and Madame lola were together in the
drawing-room. Florence sat drawing at
the table. while his wife was singing at
the piano to madame's accompaniment
Suddenly she stopped in the Iaiddle of
bar. and laughed aloud.
The clock was striking ten.
Florence looked upin establishment.
What are You laughing at 7" he asked.
My thoughts answered Sylvia gaily,
and she directed the attention of her
teacher to the clock.
II was the hour named for the rendez-
vons at the station, and she was thinking
of Frank promenading the platform in
vain expectation Of her coming.
From the moment that the messenger
had brought Sylvia's Yes, Franks restless
anxiety left him. The die was cast, and no
retreat was now possible. He argued no
more with himself; his conscience seemed
scared and hardened. He calmly made
all his arrangements, packed and sent OIL
his trunks, and then sat down in the va
cant room, without one pang for the girl
who would weep such bitter tears, without
one thought Of his brothers horror and
despair. All this was to come later, but
was now OF minor consideration. n
His mind was now concentrated on the
anticipation of meeting Sylvia at the sta
ton. She would come closely yelled, dress
ed unobtrusively in black. He thought of
the train flying through the darkness; of
small graceful head lying among the
cushions, and two eyes that shone like
stars; and still the train sped on. Then a
vision of the blue sea, of an Eastern land
where they themselves were unknown,
came to intoxicate and bewilder him.
Two hours before the time for his train,
Frank was at the station. He seated him
self in the darkest corner of the waiting
room, and sat, as if carved out of stone;
but his brain was MS active rs ever. He
looked about mechanically, though it was
far too early to expect Sylvia. In half an
hour. q quarter of an hour he might begin
to watch for her,
Then began that horrible expectation
that racks the nerves Of the strongest
Poets have written Of it; most of us have
felt it. And to pass such moments in
crowded railway station. with the noise OF
opening and shutting doors, and constant
tramp Of feet! Frank went outside, and
stood watching the cabs as they dis
charged their occupants.
A lady closely yelled; a young girl with
her father; an elderly woman with her
maid but no Sylvia.
II was a damp evening, light fog i'm
parted to the eab-lamps a PARKWAY look;
but neither cab nor carriage brought Syl-
via.
The hour for the departure of the train
was near. He ran to the booking Office
and took two tickets. Then he returned
to his post Of observation. At last he saw
her. Yes it was her figure; and with her
was another woman-Madame lola, Of
course. But second look undeceived
him. 1t was lady bearing n certain re-
sembance to Sylvia. A young man joined
her. They were evidently bride and bride
| groom. The father and mother were
there to sec them Off They passed Frank
and he saw them get into the train, AT
this moment heavy hand was laid upon
his shoulder He turned, and saw Mr..
Grey.
"Are you off by this trainlr said the
old man. Il shall be your fellow traveller,
but not very far" He then explained that
i he had missed the train he had wished
! to take. "For," he added, II was detain-
ed in the City by the great failure to-day
i hope Speed and Florence went suffer;
but young people are not very cautious.
l must be off; they are going to shut the
gate"
Frank hardly heard these disconnected
| N A l..