New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
Bidwell sometimes; but evidently he was occupied.

heard Myra's voice, pitched high, asking this
question, and went forward. She held a thick
letter in her hand. My heart Jumped. 1t surely
was from Vane-and how had he addressed Il?
"Wuhelmna Armstrong" pronounced Myra. tx-
tending the missiVe TO me.
| did not know whether the hand l put forth
was steady or not but did know that all were
watching me- I said Thank you." in an easy way
and stood holding the letter. while asked the
girl II she were having pleasant drive.
"Oh. yes" laughing and dimpling "ever so
good n now we're going to get some arbutis:
we'll bring you some, Billy
She few back to the carriage and alighted on
the seat by Bdwell a. if she had been a bird She
nodded at me and called out, wen De sure 10
bring you some flowers"
Then the brown horses were turned and trotted
down the road
II wish was havin' 's good time g BID Blake's
havin'."
AS father spoke his face seemed to grow black
remained a moment standing there with tho
letter which was burning my fingers. No one
seemed to notice that had 1t; and presently
left the room and went upstairs TO my chamber.
Even then could not at first open the enevlopc-
Now that I was alone suddenly began to tremble
Then hurredly tore the paper and drew out
the folded sheets. saw the words "My wife-my
love-my love"
1t was true then: It was not something had
imagined. / had really been married TO Nane
Hildreth on the train a few days ago.
Before read any further bolted the door.
Then I sat down. and shivering with excitement,
thrilling to the love written on the sheets beforo
me- read on and on. the lines telling all the story
Of my husbands love from the moment he had
met incorporating again and again-but what
lover does not repeat?
There is no need TO give the letter here. Having
read II. turned back to the first page and de-
voured 1t once more. How fond he was-how ar
dent-how foolish he was about Mr.. Maverick! II
was really funny that he should speak In that way
about Mr.. Maverick.
On the last page Vane mentioned that he d.
rected his letter to my old name as he did not
know whether would announce our marriage be-
fore his return. If had not done 30, perhaps 1t
might be as we'll to wait until then: but that
should be left with me.
Here breathed a long sigh OF relief. When he
came back everything would adjust itself. Then
could tell father and mother Till then-I rose
and stepped softly about the room. held the let
ter clasped closely 10 me. Till then would stay
here and help mother, and all things should be as
they had been before left home. This was what
the foolish girl said In her heart. Did she not
know that, having tasted another life, things
could never be they had been?
did not dare to go down stairs for long
time 1 was afraid that my face would reveal
something that l would wish unrevealed. AT last
I dashed water on my burning cheeks and eyes.
and then Joined my mother knew that 1t would
be held very strange II should not speak or my
letter: so said soon as entered the room that
Mr. Hildreth had written to me-he was just
starting for Liverpool and had sent me long let
ter: he had nne opening In London; he expect
ed to do wonderfully well.
Father sat doing by the stove He lifted his
head, darted keen glance at me. and asked
That's the feller that got his bones broke n
stopped at Rachers so long amt III"
eyes"
"I thought So" and father laughed In way
that made me tingle with anger.
But he said no more; he appeared 70 60 10
sleep again.
used to seem. On the third day from the arrival
Of that first letter from Vane received another
sent from the outgoing steamer by the pilot, but
this one I happened to take from the postoficc
myself, and / could not make up my mind to
mention it,
Since father did not go to the village often.
took ii upon myself to harness one OF the horses.
or sometimes | went on horseback. So l carried
my letters to Vane. or received his. which came
by every steamer which brought mail from
England But when one was delivered to me by
Myra, or Bidwell. l always spoke OF II as coming
from Mr.. Hdreth. No one asked me any ques-
tions. was thankful for that but 1t was strange.
all the same.
Aunt Lowzy had come back, but she did not
stay she went to Rye with grandmother. She
would have questioned me. and showed that she
watched me; was glad 10 have her go. She man
ifested such unbounded surprise that l at
home that / could hardly restrain my irritation.
worked harder than had ever done before.
took the butter-making from mother, and but
,1vI, .ha horJn lFiy1 2 nh
When the long May days came began 10 wan
der down the river path; and began to sing.
took up the practice where had left IT, 1T was as
II couldn't help doing this. There was something
stirring within me that Miss Runciman had been
the first to waken. and that would not be smoth-
cred into inacton. i must slng-I must sing bet
ter and better.
1t was a long time before could bear 10 go 10
the falls. and to the place where the house car
riage had been How long ago 1t seemed. But 1t
The thought Of Miss Runciman was bitter
sweet one-she had been so kind. and so cruel:
how cruel did not yet begin TO realize. She had
taken me up with ardor; she had set me down
with cold scorn. In those days was constantly
asking myself II there were not some way in
which / could learn to sing. would not think OF
Eane Until the marriage was announced / was
still free to do as l would. or rather as could.
All the time this goadng desire to sing. to move
great multitudes with my voice. grew upon me !
thought Of II as | washed dishes and as worked
over" the butter.
knew that father would not-perhaps he could
not-help me TO 60 abroad and study. Yes, l
wanted to 60 to Marchesa; that was the name
Miss Runciman had said.
The boldness. the daring OF this wish rather
overawed me at first: what was that should
think Of such project. Sometimes my mind
so filled with this thought that the thought OF
Vane was below It; still. he was always present
with me. a burning thrill Of memory or the more
quiet consciousness.
Possibly 1t was the secret keeping from
mother that wac the cause at any rate. as time
went on had none OF those confidential talks
tvb ich a
perhaps TO her. She was always gentle and pa
tient and loving. Often sat with her or worked
with her the secret carried with me uncoiled. as
II Il were a snake. and bit me- had the insane
idea that could see its mouth open and its forked
tongue dart out Then l would wish to throw
myself at mothers feet and tell her that secret.