Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-12-07

names, ana TO use Tue Ilttle en-
dearments of two married people
still in love. More than once,
word, an intonation, that sounded
like an echo of the dead past, made
Strickland pale and Bertha tremblo.
Their embarrassment mOmentarily
increased. The more perfect their
discrimination, the bitterer was the
secret remorse that wrung the
hearts of both OF them, whilst they
exchanged for meaningless things,
words, looks and smiles, once the
most sacred signs of affection. With
the fear of betray ing themselves by
an indiscretion was intermixed an
other, a misglving lest, while they
acted affection, they should be
guilty of real feeling warmer than
the courteous indifference with
which they desired to regard each
other.
On the stairs, when Mr.. Gregory,
preceding them, was for an instant
ont OF sight, Bertha turned back
and bestowed on her husband
grim look of fatigue that meant,
elbow are we to continue this 2"
otis only till tomorrow, Bertha"
he replied in an undertone, wishing
to help her. BuC the Christian
name (which, because he had in
the last two hours used it so tre-
auently, unwittingly slipped from
his lips), caused her to turn her
fase away with and angry frown.
BY the fire in the back drawing
room Mr.. Gregory appeared actu-
ated by a desire to ask all the most
awkward questions, and to broach
all the topics Of conversation most
difficult for his host aud hostess.
"Letters are welcome, Bertha"
he said, "when people cannot meet,
but have enjoyed my little visit
more than all the pages you have
sent me. There is very little in
letters. Don't you think your wife
grows handsomer, Strickland 7"
81 tell her so every day"
"And he tells me, Bertha. His
letters are all about you. You
have model husband, my dear"
81 have, papa"
Strickland hung his head and
regarded the pattern of the carpet.
81 should like to see your house,
Bertha" SAID Mr.. Gregory, after a
moment.
The little party set out on a tour
of the mansion. After an inspec-
ton Of several rooms, as Strickland
preceded them into the breakfast
room, the father stopped his daugh.
ter and said
"Bertha, where is your mothers
portrait ?"
"The frame had got shabby and
We have sent it to be regilt," re-
piled tho daughter, promptly.
"Where does it generally hang y
"There.p
She assigned to the picture,
which she had taken with her, the
first empty space on the wall that
me. her eye.
81 don't think that very good
place y said the old man. "Ah,
what a woman she was What a
wonderful woman You should
rave known her, Strickland. You
owe her your wife. When she was
leaving me, poor dear she made
me promise never to hesitate TO
make any sacrifice that should be
for Bertha's happiness (; and so,
when my little girl came to me
and said, Papa I can never be
happy without Gerard,'I thought
of my dear wife, and let her 60. l
feared, when | sent her abroad [
should lose her. Well, you were
made for each other. Do you re.
member your first meeting in
Paris 2"
They remembered it.
The tour of the house was COM
pleted, and they returned to the
drawing room, Gerard and his wife
congratulating themselves, not
without reason, that the good papa
was not very observant, for many
token of something abnormal had
been plain enough.
With common sigh of relief the
two actors sank into their respec.
tive corners of their carriage, after
seeIrg Mr.. Gregory off the next
morning from Victoria. Not a
word was spoken. Bertha watched
the drops of rain that tickled down
the windows. Gerard studied the
back of the coachman. They had
again become strangers.
Presently, moving accidentally,
Strickland touched his wife's arm.
81 beg your PARDON he said.
"Pray do not mention it,
Perfect strangers Yet both in
the silence were anxiously medi.
tating every event of the last few
hours, remembering the most tri.
fling impressions aud studying all
they signifed. As they came near
a cross.street the husband asked /:
"Shall | drive you to your own
house n
81 am coming to yours, to super.
inland tho. hacking. NV maid