The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-06-14
THIBODAUx, SATURDAY, 1884

tone. II have much to say to vou. and I
Masn You 70 be very attentive. DO you
Yes. she said, with sigh.
Listen, then. Many years have
passed since our marriage. .
Not years, Eugene, she said, smiling
sweetly; months"
No. no, Geraldine! You are not
trylng to remember" he said. more
firmly, although his face was very pale
and his lips quivered.
A frightened look came into her faca
at his change of voice, and she seemed
TO De endeavoring to concentrate her
thoughts.
Go on" size whispered, 81 am try-
ing"
DO you remember" he said. still
authorltativelJ, lone evening, meeting
NE at the stile, my telling you-oh
Geraldine, how can I confess it-that-
that you We're not my wifes''
A shadow passed over the fair face
and ccnvulsive sigh broke from her
bosom.
II remember" she faltered.
"DO you remember your fathers
death, your poverty, your marriage to
Lord Dunkellon, your voyage to Ma
deira, the birth of your s0n-Geraldy -
A convulsive shiver ran through her
frame ut the name of Gerald.
Where is he z" she murmured. ssWhy
is he not here?"
Then, Geraldine, YOU returned to
England You met Ern1Dt and Edith !:
Go you remember themS"
"Oh, yes" she said. "that sweet oirl
she is to be Gerald's BRIDE"
''Do you remember" he said. slowly
and impressively, THAT fearful evening
when you were sitting with the Viscount1
He had been in-the footsteps-the-
Oh, my poor Geraldine; do you remem-
Der that terrible niehts''
Slowly over the pale face came the
tide of recollection, sweeping awav the
listless expression and the radient look
which had rested ON the beautiful fea-
lures
II remember, size said, bursting into
a passion of tears. my Gerald NV
bright, happy, noble darling. He is
dead, struck down by On assassin's S
hand and-I seem to remember some
thing as m y dream-my husband Il
dreamt surely it was dream that he
died-died In my arms, and left me
alone I"
8 It wns not dream, dear lady,"
/" Aud he IS dead. my good. indulgent
husband"
Another food Of tears released her full
heart, ana she sobbed for some time
convulsively.
Eugene felt he could not now offer her
consolation. The spell was broken with
she memory of the Viscount; all else
would be recollected and, pale and
silent, he renamed until the violence of
her sorrow had exhausted itself
Presently she looked up, and for tho
iirst time appeared to recognize her
companion.
Lord Bowmont." she said, "you
have performed your duty kindly and
we'll My mind is clear now. will
retire to my room, that may learn to
resign myself to the fate that has left
me once more alone"
She rose from the couch with the dig
nifty of her later years, and would have
passed him, but he caught her hand
''Geraldine - he faltered
"Viscountess Dunkellon, Lord Bow
month
'.Oh, Geraldine-for to me you arc
not Lady Dunkellon-for weeks I have
watched over you-scarcely ever left
you. Let this plead for what I have to
say"
Better you had lot me die, sir. I
cannot thank you for saving what to me
is SO valueless- You have q SOM"
Yes, one son, Geraldine
"Why do you address mo thuss Do
you always remember my degreilation :
Can YOU never forgetl 2" :.
I cannot forget you were my wife !"
Wie2"
my lawful wife. Do not shrink
from me thus it il true. most true."
"Whas mean youa 2" she gasped
II ws married twice, but you were
my first wlfe-you alone are Lady Bow
mont"
"Oh, Heaven !" she said, pressing her
hands to her temples. "What wicked
person has this man made me.
'' For twenty years has the shadow of
this crime clouded my life. Can you
forgive me2"
my heart has no right to foster
malice, stricken as am with the loss of
verything I loved, or who loved me.
I forgive you. Lord Bowmont, and I will
strive to forget"
No; not to forget that you are my
wife"
"You would not dare to claim met"
"Not unless your own heart sanctioned
it. Oh, do not close it against me in
Lille time"
"Do not speak of it: my heart is in
the grave of my husband and of my only
child"
"Gerald was not your only child!"
Eugene. she said, laying her thin
:7hite hand upon his arm. her whole
form trembling with excitement and an
underlined hope. II will forgive ell If
you win tell me I still have o child
Has your heart never told you that
you hadl"
Yes yea" she sid, breaehlessiy;
q Ernest - Edith! Can it-oac i be.
khat - have deahlY deceived anel That