People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-12-27
WIFE," he whispered; but Lady Latimer
and both heard him.


minutes in thoughtful silence, then
drew my arm in hers, and we walked
away together.
Audrey" she said, "whata strange
thing it must be for a husband to be
in love with his wife like Lord FELTON,
Is, How strange, but how beautiful.
Fancy living always with some one
who loves you so well. who cares
whether you are tired or not. whether
you are happy or not, whether you
are too cold or too warm, with some
one who gives you sweet words and
sweet flowers. who praises you, and
kisses you, and cannot live without
YOU. How beautiful"
"All husbands love their wives, do
they not?" | asked, secure in my su-
periOr knowledge.
No. Mine does not love me" she
answered, quickly.
Il do not agree with YOU I said.
Your husband must have loved you,
or he would not have married you-he
did not marry you for money; it must
have been for love-
But he never does anything Of
that kind. He has given me diamonds
and pearls enough for a queen. but he
never gave me a rose or whispered
loving words to me. ! do not know
that l should be pleased
il he did. I do not
believe that Lord FELTON, ever forgest
his wife for one moment; he is like her
shadow"
answered that it was impossible to
expect from an old man like Lord Lat
liner the same attention and devotion
as from a young one.
IF Lord Latimer were to behave as
Lord FELTON, Does | added. lit would
be as absurd as Cupid wearing a wig"
repented the words the moment /
had uttered them.
She smiled then. but she stood silent
Tor few minutes.
Audrey" she said. suddenly, Il
should have been much happier with a
Young husband-One who would have
laughed, and talked, and sung with
me, who would have given me flowers
and kissed me. DOyou not think SOP
Yes" answered, most decidedly:
"but it is too late now to think of
that"
81 know it is. 1t is very sad, after
all, she continued, dreamily. ito
have husband so old and tired of life
that he has forgotten all about love
and forgotten what it is like to be
young, and forgotten what youth
wants and desires"
1T is sad" answered. "But.
Lady Latimer, did you marry for love?''
| knew before | asked the question
that it was not possible. She looked
at me with the utmost surprise.
''l?" she said. ''0h, no, Audrey. !
do not know that the word love was
mentioned over my marriage at all.
Then" | said, ''you should not ex-
pect to receive that which you do not
give"
She thought over the words for few
minutes, then she said:
mo, you are right, Audrey; but YOU
must not think that / am complaining.
| have not thought much about the
matter, but since have known Lord
FELTON, | have thought to myself how
very much better it is to have young
husband who loves you, than an old
one who does not"
And | knew in my heart it was a
great pity that she had found that out
81 had never intended to speak of
my marriage to any One.' she said:
"but | must tell you. Audrey; then
you will understand; for | begin-ah.
mel begin to understand what it is
that have missed in life. | have
missed that which Lady FELTON, has
found. will tell you all about my
marriage, Audrey" she continued. |
was a stranger here, and | came
among you as Lady Latimer, of Lor-
tons Cray. No one knows who | am
or anything about me; most people
suppose that | belong to some great
family. My dear Audrey, am a nat
ural product of these troubled times. |
am the daughterofa ruined gentleman
farmer. Would you have guessed
that?n
81 should never have guessed the
word ruin to be connected with YOU in
any way" l answered.
She laughed.
at is true, she continued. when
| was little girl, my father-Heaven
bless him.-waS considered rich man.
He rented large farm called Fern
hills, and his landlord was my husband.
Lord Latimer.
lime was when Fernhills was a
small gold mine. when the fields were
filled with golden grain. and the
cattle were the finest in the county.
when everything prospered, and my
father was reckOned a rich man. He
hunted and rode; he Joined in all the
sports; he was considered one of the
most generous and hOspitable men
liz it.
My mother died when | was very
little. and my fathers sister. Rose
Clifford, kept house for US. Fernhills
was a large, old-fashioned. comfort
able house. We lived we'll; nv father
gave good dinners; my aunt Rose WAS
on visiting terms with all the ladies
in the neighborhoOd. We had a