The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-11-18
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
The summer is gone, never to be re-
called this side of eternity what con-
ISOLATION in that thought.
Belle is ours for good once more.
Whatever she felt, concerning her
husbands proceedings, no one knows.
She read his brothers letter, but made
no comment to anyone but father, and
he has not revealed anything of their
confidential interview.
It is more, as if brother Phillip was
dead. We try to seem natural, but
there is a saddened air even about the
furniture.
Belle, to me, is wonderful, for she
must be either wanting in feeling, or
her power of endurance is capable of
great strains. Her countenance how
ever indicates at times, the presence
Of deep feeling, and the extent of her
suffering.
Wherever her husband is, we do
not know; occasionally slips of paper
come to Vi, telling of his general
health, &c. We know that Mr.. Her
rick fears his whereabouts may be
scented through an open correspond
ence, hence all this secrecy.
/ can see with what aversion Belle
receives even this intimation of his
existence, and l feel what blessing
for us all, if death would only come
to snap the hateful bond. Sometimes
I wonder that she doesn't sue for a
divorce, but perhaps there may be
spark of genuine feeling lingering for
the father of her child, which prompts
her not to desert him entirely, while
reduced to such extremity.
Perhaps pity actuates her, but if SO,
no word, for or against him, ever
finds utterance on her lips.
He might as well be dead, nay rath-
er, for then there might be moments,
when she would revive his memory for
his little one, but now an awful snad-
ow envelops il, and the tiny child
seems to comprehend its dire signifi-
canoe, for she has ceased to praftle
about "papa and granny asking
where they are, and when coming?
It is now September, the termina-
ton of my vacation I do not dread to
resume my work, for it will cause me,
sometimes at least, to forget the terri
BILE ordeal of the past year.
My surprise is great, when [ learn,
that Belle, without the knowledge of
any OF the family, is engaged to teach
in the Public School, and commences
her work on Monday
I feel confident that Joel has assist
ed her, as he is one of the trustees and
saw note the other day to her from
him, but felt it might have reference
to her husband, in legal way.
[ should like to know it she ever
recalls that afternoon by the whortle-
berry bushes, and if so, if her pride
doesn't feel considerably humbled
now, when she appeals to him for
help. Verify L know it is humiliating
and pity her from the d-pth of my
heart. Perhaps, this trouble, is the
one which Joel predicted will bring
to view her noble traits, and wipe
away the dross.
When we demur, fearing that the
confinement of the school room may
not agree with her, her reply is, 81
am no more too delicate to work than
Priscilla, and you don't object tc
that SO she has her own way, and
gains my warmest admiration by hel
accomplishing perseverance, in the
fulflment of her duties. 1 begin tt
see capacity in Belle, of whose exist
ence [ remained ignorant so long, anc
l now feel penitent, because I enter
tanned thoughts, derogatory to hel
ability, and / find that the time spen
at Staunton wasn't quite wasted, since
the seed were planted, which are nov
producing this fruit.
Somehow we are being drawn close
together of late; more like the sister
we ought always to have been.
have out-grown her in size, and cal
no longer fall heir to the laid asid
garments. have also grown to b
her equal in worldly wisdom and ex
perience. Beaux have ceased to agi
tate her weary brain. alas! to her so1