Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-19
RYMER, Q. c.


across the deserted downs came the
distant barking of dog,
Whom the torpor lifted from her
brain and she was able to think as
well rs feel, she picked up her sun
shade and began to walk toward
homo. On the way she passed q
couple of nursery maids, who turned
after her to stare and whisper, but
she did not notice them. She was
walking in n dream.
Only upon reaching the outskirts
of the little watering place the sights
and sounds of humanity aroused her
to n keener consciousness of eXter-
nails, and sho looked at the multiform
oommonplaoes of everyday life-at
the shops, the children, the milk
man changing on his round-with a
curious feeling of aloofness and IN
familiarity. Dominating every other
emotion was that of surprise, of in
oredulous, overwhelming surprise,
that this monstrous thing should
have come to her of all the women
in the world-to her!
The bell was ringing for luncheon
as she entered tho seaside boarding
house, and her husband met her in
tho hall and commented upon her
pallor.
1T is nothing" sho told him. II
hurried, and walking fast always
makes my heart beat"
When Gilbert Rymer, Q. c., had
returned from the continent one long
vacation with wife, there had been
quite sensation in a certain section
of society. Ono of tho most brilliant
men at tho bar, he had taken silk
well on the sunny side of 40. He
could have married positively any
body, my dear" as his sister tear
fully remarked to n bosom friend.
Instead he had remained bachelor
so long only to make love match
with n young widow of vague anteoe-
dents whom he had met in Paris. OF
course every one considered that he
had thrown himself away. BY the
time, however, that Mrs Rymer had
impressed her personality upon two
lat homes" and a dinner party his
friends-the mon at least-had APP
proved his choice. She was more
than beautiful-she was charming.
She dressed i'll perfect taste, and she
was devoted to her husband.
That event was two years old now,
but the devotion had not lessened.
On the contrary, she was fonder Of
him than she had been on her we'd
ding day. And Rymer, which was
perhaps more remarkable, had never
repented. Aftor all, there was no
reason why he should have done 80.
He was not a boy when he married
her. He had known what he wanted
and had got it-or thought he had,
which answered his purpose just as
we'll. People who noticed things
said it revived thsir faith in human
ity to see the Rymers look at each
other across n room.
An observant eye today would
have remarked more than the yery
obvious attachment between the en-
inent counsel and his wife. It would
have remarked that Mrs. Rymer,
who rarely touched wine, drank two
glasses of sherry at luncheon; thr t
the unaccustomed stimulant brought
flush to her cheeks; that subse.
quently she talked and laughed with
q gayety which was a trifie hyster.
ical She was trying not to think, "a
matter of fact, but tho observant
eye aforesaid could not have guessed
that, for why should Mrs. Gilbert
Rymer have any cause for mental
disquietude?
Later, III the privacy of their own
sitting room, still another mood came
upon her. She crouched beside her
husband and laid her head upon his
knees
Dear old Gilbert" she murmur
ed. II wish wo were at home agai1
all by our two selves. I'm tired OF
these people. I'm sick of the place
It's boring mo to death"
why, thought you liked 1t, III,
said, surprised. But he was pleased
too, and little touched, and hh
hand caressed her hair. "Of oours,
we will go home tomorrow if 70,
like.
What a good fellow you are, tiil
bert! / believe you'd do anythin,
for mo. And we've been Marie,
two years, she added whimsically
1.-TWO whole happy years. " She raise,
her head and began to twist one O
the buttons on his coat. do 70,
remember that day at Fontainebiea,
before we came home? It was da,
just like this when we started
blue sky, with woolly white clouds
But 1t rained afterward, and we go
lost in the forest, and yoN made IN
put on your waistcoat over my mus
lin dress because / was getting 8
wet. What a guy must have look
ed"
She began to laugh, but the laugl
dwindled and her eyes grew vacant
She was wondering if the tide ha,
reached the bottom of the cliffs
Suddenly she looked up at him witt
kind of fear in her face.
What are you watching me Xix
that for, Gilbert? 1 suppose you ar,
thinking me an awful fool. But
CANT help talking nonsense. l.
don't think I'm very well. Perhap
the wines got into my head"