Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-10-28

notl ! must go away"
So, the next morning, before Bcs-
sic made her appearance. Norman
left the old home and went to the
city some 90 miles distant, for the
purpose Of making arrangements
with his lawyer, who resided there
for his wife's support. As yet he
was undecided what his next step
would be.
When Bessie went to breakfast
she was surprised to fad a note by
her plate. She hastily tore it open
and read
DEAR BESSIE am going away.
Forgive me, tina; did not say fare
well. ] dared not met you again.
Forgive me, too. for the wrong | did
in asking you to marry me; had
dreamed that my life would be SPAR
ed | never would have fettered you
so. But Ralph said I had but a few
hours to live, and, before Heaven ]
believed him.
You have borne it all patiently;
but trust me, Bessie, you shall ne
free again. claim nothing at the
past, and can restore to you the
future. Two years mnst elaps., how
ever, before we can Obtain a legal
separation.
81 wish you to stay in the old
home with our faithful servants until
other arrangements can be made.
just now am too mentally shatter-
ed TO think of the future. 1t will be
best for you not to write 10 me: what
comfort would your letters be to
either? You cannot love me, and
must have your love or nothing.
Yours ever,
NORMAN BRADFORD"
For several minutes Bessie sat
staring at the words before her, her
breath coming in short, quick gasps.
Then she sprung to her feet, ex-
claiming:
81 will write; no, will follow himl
Oh, why was I so blind?n
She rushed down the stairs and al
most into the arms of kind Mrs.
Powell, the housekeeper, who had
been mother to the orphan since
her guardians home had been her
abiding place.
"Auntie, please tell me where Nor
man isl" she pleaded. 81 must go to
him |"
'But, dearest, why the need :? He
has only gone to see his lawyer, Mr..
Latimer."
sob, you don't understand; he has
left me foreverl' said Bessie, with
glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes.
II love my husband with all my
heart and str, myth, and he must
know it, must so-it would kill
me to stay here!"
Tn an incredible short time the
girl was ready for her journey, and
the day was not far advanced when
she found herself at the law office,
where she learned that Norman had
been too ill on his arrival to transact
any business and Mr.. Latimer had
taken him home with him.
Bessie entered cab and was rap
idly driven to the lawyers residence.
She was soon shown to the room
which had been prepared for Nor
mans exclusive use. Here, ON the
sofa, stretched motionless, as though
asleep.
She quietly advanced until she
stood beside him. Tears coursed
down her cheeks as she looked on
the loved face and saw the lines Of
mental and physical suffering written
there.
Suddenly the gray eyes opened,
and Bessie, with broken sob, flung
herself by her husbands side, and
was gathered to his breast in an &C.
stacy of passionate joy.
Gam l dreaming?" he said huski-
ly, "or is this indeed Bessie Ora
ham ?"
"Not Bessie Graham, dearest Nor
man, but Bessie Bradford, who has
come to tell you that she loves you
with all her heart. Oh, Norman, we
have both suffered unnecessarily. l
thought you married me from pity,
not Tor love, while well, l must
have loved you always, | think"
"My darling" said Norman. "My
precious wife. You have given me
back my life !" cried her husband,
clasping her closer still. And Bes-
sic, meeting the gaze of his love lit
eyes, no longer doubted his love