Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-23
XIV.

her-letters full Of business, but nothing
love of his tired-out heartin them. Nor
did he ever tell them where to write, TAX
ing it for granted they would not care to
write to him. His restless spirit allowed
him to rest in no place long. People Won
dered and talked, which was very painful
to Pauline's sensitive nature; but she
filled the weary hours with work. Her
voice was a success. She was e%ngagedin
the choir of the most popular church in
the city. People fiOcked to hear her sing
rather than to hear the preacher. Her
pictures too were gaining attention. Their
force, their depth Of ton and accuracy
showed the author as one gifted by ma
tUre. one painting was a faithful repre-
sentatiOn OF her own plantation home,
with its heavy pillars supporting the
front: the winding stream, with the COWS
drinking from the lucid waters. In the
distance the little huts OF the negroes,
the latter coming home with the farm i'm
Elements. while over all the wonderful
sunset she had so wOrshiped as a child
was casting its bright tints in departing
glory. Madame De Stael says that mel
anchOly is a source of perfection. Such
it proved in Pauline's later pictures.
They were overcast by a sadness which
went straight TO the heart and touched
even the careless observer. They were
put ON exhibition. She was growing IA
mOus-as pure a fame as Il can get in
this age. The arts rereyiving. In other
words, it's fashionable anl the fashionable
world would fain run after the artist, say
ing in whispers behind her back it was
very mysterious how her husband treated
her, etc. Others, men of learning, of ma
ture years and high standing, intellectual
~ and socially, paid htr homage of which
she might be justly proud; but she
wished, she waited only tor the homage of
-aEA4 l,nFal H. ,Tn,AAa1 g. n
sight of her, but she painted on and sent
polite excuses to society. SO with all the
publicity of her fame no evil for a wonder
could be mixed with it save the whispers
of a few inYeterate gOssipers which were
not noticed by the best people.
Pauline spent a month with aunt Mar
tina and Mr.. Malcolm. Even Tabby seemed
glad to welcome her back. The whole
n~eighbOrhOOd Travelled to see her-sOme
on foot, others on horseback, in buggIes,
wagons, or in any convenient Way-all
We're so eager to see again their little Pau
line, who being an orphan so long had
been a pet always among the g~Ocd-hearted
country people. One had introduced the
mysteries of sOap-making into her various
domestic accomplishments; another had
learned her to IA her pretty fruit, II so
on. Her brother VIII had spent his vaca-
ton with her, making the whole place at
Laurel Hill put on a new air OF cheerful
ness, so gay and full Of life was the young
boy.
Pauline had thus not been allowed much
time for sorrow. She allowed Irene TO GO
home with her VOW vet unaccOmplished,
but not without hope Of seeing it yet full
filled. In the idle moments of life she suf-
fered most; but a strong determination
and hope in the future kept UP her life
with sweet resignation.
a 1,r4 how fifth ora7ao1 on fhn mint Of
being rewarded. Letters had come
from Reginald, begging to hear from home.
To Pauline he said:
Il have been so hurt and filed with
wounded pride | determined I'd never
heal from you all again, but l will die if
1 stay ava much longer. You have act
ed very strangely and treated me badly,
but l now feel confident there is some mis-
take. 1t nearly broke my heart, Pauline.
l will forgive you for what appeared so
wrong. for after calm reflection L feel as
sured you can explain all satisfactorily. |
will, an, l do already, love you better
than ever. How often have l tried to
think that scene under the laUrels was q
dream, but the note l found in the door
way always cOnfronts me. You must eX-
plain this mystery. How often have L
wondered how you could have refused
even to ansWe my note written on the
evening l left home. Have l been de-
ceived? Did you receive that note? L
have tried-Oh, so harG-to stifie my great
love for you in the time when | thought
you guilty, so that l might return inditfer-
ent to what reception L might receive at
your hands-all in vain. My heart yearns
for my Pauline, for l am sure she is pure
and good. l have had meagre news from
YOU only through Douglass, who, all I'M
unconscious of a GOODNESS between us,
only refers casually to home affairs. At
times l have tried to believe l did not
wish to hear anything from you. YethOw
eagerly l drank in every word from home,
and forced back tears because there was
no more. TO err is human; to forgive
divine.' IfIhave judged you wrOngfully,
will you forgive? Mercy is twice blessed.
1t blesses him who gives and him who re-
ceives. Shall we forgive each other and
lead a new life? Only one word, my Pau
line, and l am at your feetP'
The mail carried to Reginald an answer
which caused him to cry out in agony at
his blind folly. He prayed God to forgive
him the wrong he had done to one so in
nocent and good.
Yet, when he left the medical colleges
and hospitals to return home, a Joy I'M
speakable filed his heart. The days were
too long, and the cars ran too slowly over
the space which divided him from Pau
line.
A few DAYS after Pauline had sent her
letter she was bending over her easel,
when, without moments warning, she is
clasped in a pair Of strong arms, and kiss
after kiss is rained down upon her face
and eyes.
"My darling, 1 have been starving for
your love. Full of faults as l am, won't
you try to forgive me! God knows L a
never forgive myself"
He brushed back her hair softly, every
hue of his face aglOw with an alteration
she scarcely dared to look upon.
IF you can't love me, Pauline-and /
know full well l do not deserve that you
should-let me stay near you and love you
until perhaps my devotion may whisper a
slight return of the old love. May l stay
try, my PaulineY'
why did you leave me, Reginald?"
because, believing you cared nothing
for me, 1 thought in my despair to soon
erase your image by absence and return
Indifferent to your love, and devote my af-
to my profession. Ifeela Is if some
nightmare had been whispering
ugly things to me, and that L am
just awakening. Please, darling, do tell
me you will try to forgive me, and love me
more"
Il have never ceased to love you with
my whole life for a moment, Reginald"
After hours of sweet happiness, they
talked over past eNenLs-eNeTyLHluB LHaJ
had happened since their marriage. They
found they had had a subtle enemy at
work all the while, trying to mai their
happiness. 1t took neither of them long
TO determine who this enemy vas When
the full extent of Irene's peridy dawned
upon Reginald he started up, saying he
going to order her out OF the house.
Pauline caught his arm and begged him
to wait awhile.
"As sooh as l replied to your letter."
said Pauline, Il got aunt Mary to invite
Irene back, adding an earnest postscript
myself. Ihave wanted all the while to
her a little for her unkindness to
l want you to help me, which you
cannot do If you show your anger"
After time Reginald reluctantly agreed
10 her plans.
That night Pauline begged to be ex-
FUSED, and kept her room, pleading a head
ache.
Reginald went down aud met the family
7ery cordially, especially warm in his
meetings to Irene. He sang with her, and
her a dozen little attentions which
ratified her very much. She even heard
lin murmur half to her and half to him