Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-04-30


thoughts. There was something con,
tagious, too, in Elsie's gaiety and hope
and so she went
1t was sunset when she reached the
place. A fine house, just old enough
to avoid that painful look of newness
common to modern country houses.
and standing in full view of the river,
to which sloped banks, shaded by ma.
Piles, elms, and willows.
'.They were all out in the grounds. y
the servant told Judith.
And, hearing merry singing, she
stole around the corner of the house,
to surprise them. Elsie, looking up
| spied her, and gave gleeful shout.
Her husband, who was sitting on a
bank, started to his feet, and faced Ju-
dith
1t was Paul. The shock was too aw.
full; and Judith, who had never known
a days illness, and scoffed at the men,
ton OF nerves, fell senseless at his feet.
Ii she had died then and there. bless
ed and happy had it been for her! But
the efforts OF the unsuspicious Elsie
soon brought her back to life, while a
warning look from Paul checked the
words that We're on her lips.
Heat and fatigue were limited at; her
Joyous cousin was too much occupied
with her own happiness to think long
about the matter, and Judith did her
best to shine in the virtuous hypocrisy
and moral suicide line, which women
are so fond of
Paul only was silent.
Sitting apart in the shadow, his wife
thought him uninterested and sleepy.
judith knew his eyes were fixed on
her-that he was watching every move,
and noticing every infection of voice.
Though he was almost as motionless
as II he had ceased to breathe, she felt
that he was questioning her, fiercely,
eagerly, and that, spite of herself, she
was answering him.
She blushed, and shrank away in the
very silence and solitude of her own
room, when she thought of what his
eyes had said to her.
When she looked into her own heart
she cried out, and struck her hands
together, and Selling what she had al
ready taken from her trunk, began to
thrust it back again in desperate haste.
| Someone touched her, and spring
ing up she met the eyes that had haunt
ed her.
"Paul!'
well, Judith, and oh, what
depths of tenderness in his voice
you are not afraid of me?''
mo, not afraid.
''Why are you going, thenp For
you are going; | know what these prep
arations mean
Because | am not stone nor steel.
| should go mad"
Then you did love me?''
"lf it will give you any pleasure to
know, yes.
The light that had terrified her be-
fore leaped up in Paul's eyes.
My darling, you need not shrink
from me. You have nothing to fear.
Only stay. Judith, if you love Elsie,
stay. 1t has been SO long since | have
been near you, looked into your eyes,
heard you speak Deprive me not of
| 1t too suddenly. Let me contemplate
and grow familiar with my sorrow, or
| shall die in my despair
ooh, Paulr' she burst forth, 'swhy
did you stay away all this weary time,
and why did you let me come hereP'
why did you answer me as you did.
the last night we were together, Ju-
dith? As for your coming, | knew
nothing of it. | never dreamed that
Elsie's Judith was my Judith
"Poor Elsie!'
''You pity her? Stay, then. If YOU
go now she will learn all. STAY, and
promise not to offend by word or
look.
So Judith stayed from pity for
Elsie, said her deceived heart Cruel
mercy, that held the poison to her own
lips day by day.
At first the guileless Elsie saw moth
ing of the tiny cloud arising, that was
one day to darken her whole horizon.
She fancied that, somehow, Paul and
judith didn't agree, and, anxious that
they should know and appreciate one
another, was continually leaving them
alone together, fancying that her pres
ence was a restraint.
BY one of those convenient sophis-
tries which poor humanity calls in
when right and reason have deserted
it, Paul argued that because his wife
was pure and trusting, there was a
destiny managing his affairs over which
he had no control.
Presently he ceased to argue at all.
He took matters out of destiny's hands
and refused to listen to conscience.
1t was all the worse that he dared
not speak out the thoughts of his heart.
lie was all the more eager to be by
her-his eyes more constantly sought
her face. She seemed to move in an
atmosphere of his waiting and watch
fulness
Again Judith wished to go. Again
she stayed for Elsie's sake.
At length, what experience had not
shown the poor young bride, instinct
did. She felt first that there was re-
straint and unhappiness She saw that
she was repeatedly forgotten. There
were walks and conversations in which
she had no share; illusions that she
could not understands; looks that made
her angry and frightened even to think
of.
Once the horses ran away, and she
and Judith were thrown out. Judith
was only slightly scratched; yet on
coming out of her death-like swoon,
she saw her husband kneeling by her
cousins side, and forgetful of her very
existence.
People talked and shook their heads.
The servants vowed loudly that it was
a shame; and, at last, even Elsie's gen.
tie spirit rose.
She had been waiting supper for her
husband and Judith, who had gone out
to hunt violets, and it was two hours
past the usual time when she saw them
coming slowly across the fields.
judith, coming in alone, remarked
her looks with surprise, and stopped
to kiss her. But Elsie drew back
mo, Cousin Judith, DON'T / can't
say Our Father any more. because
think of you always; and | sometimes
feel as if you were so cruel that | can't
forgive you. Paul is all have, cous-
in, and you want to take him from me.
l wish | had died before | had learned
to believe it.
mo, Elsie,n returned her cousin
gently; there you wrong me. | have
not been blameless; but have not been
as heartless and wicked as you think.
Dear Elsie, long ago l was to have been
Paul's wife. When | came here, and
found who your husband was, |
was going away. Now / will 60, dear,
and your happiness will come back to
you. You are fairer and sweeter and
better than /, and Paul will love YOU
better than he has ever done me. Only
don't tell him that | am going, Elsie.h
She was too delicate to say why, but