Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-08
WAS 1T WRONG!
BY vELMA CALDWELL MELVILLE.


The funeral of the beautiful anC
gifted ImOgone Vernon was over
weeping friends had taken their de
parture, sympathetic nelgAbors had
quilted the gloom of the lonely house
for their own bright iiresldes, and the
stricken husband WIS left alone. Even
his little Flo had been carried oil by
her grandmother, who had construed
some broken sentences uttered by her
daughter in delirium, into a request
that she should take the child. Sc
completely was the young father stu
pefied by his crushing grief that ne
submitted scarcely knowing what lac
did.
Death seems terrible III any form
and under any circumstances; but IN
this case its presence was dOubly US
welcome. 1t had chosen for It's VIC
tim the pride and flower of the village.
Imogene Vernon was n woman OF
rare talents and graccs, and the place
left vacant by the fireside, IN the
church, the social circle, and the
world Of music and literature could
not easily be filled.
TO Warren Vernon, sitting alone
IN the silence of his ruined home, 1t
seemed there was but one boon left to
crave-and hat, TO be laid to rest I'M.
der the autumn leavcsln the old GENE
terry by his loved ones side. Six short
years before he had brought her to
D., a blushing bride Of nineteen
summers. She had never been strong,
physically, yet rarely III Ill -heaIth.
The tenement seemed too frall for the
tenant. One listening to her full,
rich soprano voice would almost trem-
BILE at the ebb and tide of color IN the
transparent vet rounded cheek. The
productions of her pen were such as
the most massive intellect might envy.
Her husband recognizing alike her
strength and frailty surrounded her
by every comfort and luxury within
his limited means; for, besides prOVId
ing for his own household, ne had
undertaken the education of his two
orphan brothers, out of his modest
mercantile gains. Thus the sunny
young life had passed, shielded from
every storm, nurtured in an atmos.
phero of perfect devotion. Their child
was very like her.
That the prevailing sentiment IN
D. may be more fully understood,
we will listen for a few minutes to 4
conversation held by Il few represen.
tative ladies the day folio wing
the funeral.
"Ohl doubtless he feels badly
enough nor but il won't last, it never
does with a man. Their grief isshort
lived D."
Eyes, indedl Take my word for it,
Warren Vernon will be married III
less than year.
THAT is always the way with the
ones who have made SO much of their
wives.
For my part, don't know where
he'd find woman to take lmogene S
place. How we shall all miss her
"Wcll do not believe in second
marriage anyway. 1t always seems
tonne as if, after having truly loved
once, one could never love again"
Ladies' spoke up gentle voice
FROM hitherto silent listener, Il can
not understand why it is a sin or even
wronging the dead for man to marry
after having waited decent time. |
love my husband with my whole
heart, yet if should be left alone in
the world 1t would be no sign that |
had forgotten him or that | had cared
less for him, if found one among the
living to be a companion; and If 1t be
right for woman it is for a man"
A murmur of diSapproval followed,
amid an om:nInous shaking of heads,
and the majority seemed To feel that
no blackcr crime could be committed
than for Warren Vernon 10 Crer look
on the sunny side of life again.
How the first twelve months rolled
around he scarcely knew, except that
the DAYS were full of weariSomc bust
ness and the nights long and slceplcSS.
The once cheerful rooms were darkcn-
ed, the piano closed, little Flo's car
riage aud toys put aside, and the old
housckccper S face took ON perpetual
gloom. Once he visited his child but,
though she cried little when he left,
he found that her affections wer. be-
ing rapidly alienated; and he went
away with sadder, hungrier heart
than before.
Wife and child both goHe." he
calculated bitterly.
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