Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-01-08

Florence, in the library" ne SAID 10 her
one evening, after dinner, as she was
about ascending to her dressing-rOom,
to place herself in the hands of her
maid.
Surprised at the unwonted request,
she turned and entered with him the
room designated.
"I have decided, Florence, to return
for a short time to Calcutta. shall sail
next week, but have made every arrange
ment for your comfort during my ab-
sence. My uncle and aunt will make
their home with you. You will have
unlimited credit at my bankers aud it is
my pleasure that you should deny your
self nothing"
As he spoke, uttering each word slow
ly and distinctly, his eyes never for 4
moment left her face, but fastened there
with hungry greed, as though he would
penetrate the fair mask aud discover
what feelings they had awakened; but
save faint surprise which swept over
her lovely features, all was calm as moon =
light upon silverly lake.
$50 soon, Malcolm2 What has caused
so unexpected decisionl"
"Hardly unexpected, Florence. !
have been anticipating it for some time,
but thought it unnecessary to tell you
until had resolved. The time of my
return will be indefinite, but probably
within year. II you should ever need
me, send for me-"
Then. as she left the room, his calm
outward composure suddenly gave way,
as the ice beneath the sunbeams; groan
burst from his white lips and he bowed
his head upon the table before hun.
"Not a sigh, not a word" he mur-
INJURED. "She could not even give up
the gay world for these last few evenings
we shall spend together. Had l asked
her, she doubtless would have complied
with my request; but urged, it would
have lost its charm. Oh, beautiful piece
of marble, what madness ever made me
hope that | could warm you into lifel"
But upstairs, while her maid with
skillful fingers arranged the golden mass
of hair and draped the exquisite figure
in its matchless toilet, the young wife's
thoughts had forgotten even her pres
ence, aud insteed of the beautiful reaec-
ton in the mirror she saw a ship riding
stormy ocean, and on its deck oue soli-
tary passenger, alone pacing up and
down, whose eyes, scanning the rapidly
receding land in the distance, were those
which had looked so calmly into hers
when he had announced his decision a
few moments before. For her comfort
be had been thoughtful as he ever was,
but suddenly there rushed over her the
sense Of her life's emptiness, the many
days and nights she must pass with hun
dreds of miles between them, the solemn
VOWS each had made to the other before
Gods altar. In what had they fsiledi
Had she done her partl Had she found
time for a wite's duty in this weary
whirll Had she been mad that only
through suffering she had learned the
truth--the truth that in heart as well as
in name she was the wife of the man who
so coldly had rvowed his determination
of leaving herr Suddenly dismissiug
the maid, regardless of the rich draperies
clinging so gracefully to her form, she
sank on her knees and prayed as she had
never prayed before, then rose with a
sudden resolution shining in her eyes,
and moment later, with a"Good
night" to her husband, swept out to
her carriage. No whisper OF her un-
expected resolution passed her lips.
She watched all his preparations with
similar calmness, saw him put his house
in order as though he expected never
to return, while her heart seemed break
Jog that no outward sign of suffering
escaped him.
Two days before be was to sail he left
her, as he had business at the port from
which tbt ship sailed. She stood in the
library, where he had told her his de-
cision, awaiting his farewell. He en-
tered, the door closed and they two were
alone.
"Good-bye, my wife, he said, in
tones which sounded cold. Remember.
il you need me. send for me. / will
come. God bless youl"
Then for oae instant she was folded
in his arms, kisses strangely in consouance
with his words, mad with passionate
pain, ralned on cheek, lip and brow, al
most roughly she was thru - from him,
and be was gone; bat hi l'' mi told
her Whist his words Ia fp.- - ioi had