Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-09-04
MY LOVER HORACE.

Horace Travers and had been engaged
a year. During that time had seen him
but oncel But when spring came round
Horace wrote me that the whole month OF
May should be mine and his.
My father went into the town on some
errand later in the day, my mother with
him, and our servant girl went cut to
evening church, leaving me alone in the
house. 1t grew dusky by and by, SO could
not read, and l drew my chair up to the
window. where could look through the
door at the stars coming out one by one in
the sky, and wondered if Horace could see
them too.
1t grew quite dark at last, and Lit the
lamp on the table and returned to my book.
For time read on; then the air grew
chilly, and intending to close the door !
rose from my chair and looked out.
There, in the hall door, as had seen him
a few hours before, on his departure. stood
Horace Travers.
Invent back into the parlor and sat down.
I reasoned, scolded and argued, but l could
not rid myself of the icy shivers which ran
my frame, or the leaden weight
which fell upon my spirit.
My mother came in at last and Shutdown,
with some triiing remark on the beauty of
the evening. When she looked up she
crossed over to me in alarm. and taking
my hand cried out: "My child, what is the
matter? You look as if you had seen a
ghost?"
81 think I have, mother,"I said, trying
to smile, but bursting into tears, and then
1 told her all.
"Now, my darling Laura" said she, Ego
to bed and take a good nights rest, and
my word for it you will be troubled with
no more alarming glimpses of Horace ex-
cept in dreams, when his presence is agree
able rather than otherwise"
I took my mothers advice.
The next day was ready to look at the
whole occurrence in the same light
But when it came near the time when !
expected letter from him | began to be
very impatient about him. The letter, of
course, would settle my mind effectually.
But it did not come. In fact it never came;
and that was the last, last sight ever saw
of Horace Travers.
All, those years-those weary, weary
years! How each day dragged its slow
length alongl How the weeks and months
crept away-how the years tortured mel
Each day I said, 'tSurely, shall hea1
from him at last"
Each night I went to bed saying, ST am
one day nearer to the tidings which must
come at last!"
But never heard from him and Iwaited
for the tidings vainly.
But though l thought time moved SO
slowly, still it moved on and brought me
to my twenty fifth year. Then began to
go back to the friends l had SO long neg
lected. Society received ME with open
arms / had outgrown old or faded mem
cries; my thoughts of Horace Travers were
growing bitter, and l longed for some di-
version to take me from them.
Ny engagement had never been made
public; it was my wish that our marriage
should be the first announcement of it, SO
was spared the questioning of friends.
The life took up now was busy one.
Our family was so small, there was SO lit
tie home work to do, and had grown SO
tired of solitary reading and music that
took to the change kindly.
At all festivities | noticed the presence
of tall, distinguished looking gentleman
who had settled in our town nearly year
before. His name, I knew, was Edward
Hatch, and his business was that which
Horace Travers had followed This is W hat
had interested me at first; and afterward,
when came to understand that he noticed
me closely, yet persistently avoided an in
PRODUCTION, my curiosity was piqued, and
watched him still mors closely. He was
past his first youth, was unusually re-
served, almost gloomy; but when he threw
off the depression of spirits which troubled
him he could make himself the life and
soul of our company.
The only thing did not like was the at
mosphere of reserve which seemed to close
around him now and then. ! had out
grown that romantic age when a mystery
is charming. | had suffered bitterly enough
from one mystery.
1t came to pass in the course OF year
that l married Edward Hatch.
The gloom and reserve of Edward Hatch's
character took tangible shape at last
Night after night he paced the floor stead
ily, untiringly. Day after day he went to
his business, his food untasted and the
darkness of night on his face.
Edward" said I, one night, "are you
angry with me? | cannot bear this cold
ness and separation. am your wife fol
better or worse, and l would try to make
you happy if only knew how"
He came and sat down by me. He took
my hand and said: HLaura, dearest, l have
no fault to find with you. But wronged
you terribly by marrying you, as you will
know some day Oh, heaven" he cried
wildly. II wish IT were all overl What
pangs have | not suffered"
Then he flung my hand away, and began
the old mOnotOnOus pacing.
made no further attempt to break down
the barrier between us after that, but
drifted slowly into separate life, with lts
own pursuits and pleasures.
One day my husband came in with
hurried, determined air. He threw him
self into a chair and said: Cuisines calls
me to c. Immediately. ! may make g
lengthy stay, and as have house there
Won may as well come with me, Laura"
IA house in CT You never told me
you had lived there"
He looked at me with strange, burning
look in his eye; then bit his lips and SAID
carelessly:
"What do you know of c.? might
have mentioned it had known the name
had any special interest FOR YOU"
sit has," said II had friend there
years ago. His business was the same as
yours It was more than eight years ago
that he took leave of us, and we never saw
or heard from him since. If you could
throw light on his fate it would be some
thing of relief after all these years"
"That can hardly do. left c. nearly
ten years ago, and have only been there
since on flying busines; visits like this one
However, if you are going, you had better
lose no time in your preparations. After
you get there you may meet some one who
knew your friend. BY the way" he added,
"vou have not mentioned his name yet"
His BACK was toward me now. He was
getting out his writing desk from the sec
rotary. and looked np as I said, "Horac'
Trayers!"
He did not move He was silent a Ions
time, and when he turned to me his fac
was no paler than usual. His tone, too
was deliberately careless when he at length
said: HORACE Trayers? | do not know
himg"
That same evening we spent with n,
father and mother We had arranged tx
start the next day. At the last Mr.. Hatcl
tried to persuade me to remain at home
but told him frankly that would no
forego the opportunity of making inquiries
for my missing friend, and that would go
l brought the subject up before M
father and mother again, and Mr.. Hatcl
showed quite plainly that he was annoyed
nv it,