The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-07-30

ana Ten years hitftWNfuS l married. DID /
love my husband Well that question takes
little time to answer. Perhaps the love
was not of the same kind.
Fifteen years change the disposition won.
dcrfully, and the woman Of thIrty-nve looks
upon life In q different light 20 the girl OF
twenty-onc. Yes; | think loved my hus-
band, although he was not exactly my Ideal.
In the nrst place he was widowcT with
family and very busincss-lkc man. | al
ways had rather an aversion 10 q business
like man.
Poor Bernard had boon 80 very opposite
that II made my taste fastidious. II is almost
~ well that IA woman should not meet her
Ideal too early IN life; II often spoils her for
the realities OF after years.
had no children; but my husbands faml.
ly were quite enough to keep me well occu-
pied, and was always OF a disposition 10
suit myself to circumstances.
know now that WAS simply business
mans wife, and not the bride Of an officer Of
rank and position, as might have been. My
aunt lived with me, and took much Of the re-
sponsihliiy Of tutoring a large family oil my
hands; had plenty Of money my husband
being wealthy merchant.
Some women would have cnvicd my posi-
done better, having sprung fuOn family Of
genius, and been reared In school where
Mammou was not the only God. Yes; | was
tolcrahly happy, and yet, notwithstanding
my present comforts, would sometimes find
myself wandering about that little cemetery
ut Rothscy, where green mound and white
stone bore the remembrance of my carly love,
and yet had not been true 10 his memory.
II IL not In human nature 10 be faithful Ia
the dead for ever. Heaven. in IT. mcrcful
Judgment, ordaiu, II otherwise; a veil Of Oh
liyion /, thrown over the past
One early evening in July. having finished
the duties Ut the day and administered to
the comfort ~ my household, | was tempted
10 take stroll iu the cemetery, and Ia wend
my steps toward, the grave ot Bernard Me-
Grcgor a woman stood beside me; she
lifted her Veil shrickcd. II was Grace
Merton; identified her although she was
terribly changed. Conscience had evidently
stricken her, she had beauty, even yet. Hers
was too lovely a youth Ia hc withcrcd by the
toughest storms Of life
The freshness. the brightness, had all gone
for ever; but the foundation of u once lovely
form and face still remained. She approach
ed me; all the cruelty had died away from
that classic mouth, all the darts of triumph
which ilnnncd those steel grey eyes were
spent Her gaze was fixed upon me now
with a long, muurniul sorrow stricken sad
ness.
Miss Lindon,' she murmurcd
started back: the voice was hollow and
II sent q thrill through my frame.
Miss Lindon that was" | rcplcd but
now Mis-. Courtney"
Married! she exclaimed.
yes, married." replied.
At the same time felt my check color
consciously; was kuccling beside another
mans grave, but only a dead Idol after all.
My husband, rs a sensible business man,
would not be- jealous OF piece Of green turf
beneath which the dust and ashes of lost
lover slept.
II don't know how Ia address you," the
wrctchcd woman said. Perhaps you think
me prcsmnptuuus for daring 10 even look nj
you after the wrong | did you In the pasta
wrong which have bitterly suffered and H.
pcutcd for. DO not look ~ II | had had
my deserts for my wickcdnc,s?'
shuddcringly lifted my eyes To the hol.
low cheeks, the ~uutcu eyes, the ashcn lips
and replied:
"Ycs, woman, you undoubtedly have"
Woman she echoed plahtiycly. "Oh.
don't speak 50 cruelty; call me Grace one,
mOrc-Only once murcl The sands Of life
have nearly run out. | shall soon be- sleep,
ing as he Is sleeping"
She paused for breath, and hollow cough
checked her uttcrancc Tor the time. SHE
placed her hand Ia her head where her hair
lay like bands of SNOWFALL the color had
long left II.
Heavens! piticd her, wretch as she was.
had been the means Of getting her punish.
ed, surely ought 10 be- satisfied. | had suf
fCrcd also, but not rs she had.
After ALL what is the suffering OF an In
iurcd one who can lay her head down at
night on her pillow and feel under Heaven
that She Is siuncd against rather than sin.
ming, compared Ia the horrible fortunes OF
the guilty one, whose conscience never rests,
and whose brain is rnckcd by the condemn.
ing ticnd who hurls tOrinruts upon his head,
until he feels that the hangmml's rope wcr,
al easy death?
"Grace Mrrton,' said, after pause, IAN
'wer me truthfully one question. Did you
really love Bernard McGregOr?"
From beneath the surface of that leadcn
cheek | saw the blood gradually dye IT, Just
rs had seen her blush years ago when she
had tempted him on that summer morn.
From my soul DID" she replied. MAD,
guilty rs that love was, that crazy love at
tackled me at first sight. II was the love Of
madness born, which stops at nothing to So
cure its treasure Had not loved him
| should have been saved from the crime which
has rendered my life living torture and en-
Filtered yours. was u vain, unprincplcd
| girl, ! know; but was really fond Of him,
and the thought Of your being his wife near
| ly killed me- and II drove me to sin and
crime. Forgive me-forglyc mel"
She fell on her knees, and our hands met
once more. Hers was cold-cold ~ the turf
ON which she knelt
81 forgive YOU" replied. Rise, DO not
knecl to me, but ask pardon Of Heaven"
| At that moment Il voice close by said
| "lier Maker has already pardoncd and call
| ed her 10 Him."
| started and looked up, A clergyman
stood beside me.
lie bent his head down on level with the
woman who knclt motionlcss at my feet. A
dim dawning OF the truth flashed upon me.
The face was cold and white, the lips were
parted; placed my hand upon the brow, 1t
was cold also.
"lleayon has called to account another
wandercr," the minister said She is dead"
started up and my lips murmured:
"Ihe Lord give rest ~ her sOulW
The only cigarettes which do moi
I IL I. - n.