Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-05-07
THE SCUTTLED BOAT.

Whom L was ~, my widowed moth
or had boon dead about IS months,
and by her desire-expressed on her
deathbed-I hGi married Gilbert
Armstrong, afterward so we'll known
in literary circles. Ho was then a
rising man; but, apart from his earn
ings, no had small fortune and
was able to give mo homo with all
the comforts and Injuries l could
reasonably wish for.
l had given my first love to Ru-
pert Garstang, who had proved ut
terly unworthy of it. On his fathers
death he succeeded to n Moe estate,
but no run into oXCosscS Of all kinds,
and by his gambling and extrava
ganoo brought himself to ruin, and
suddenly abscondod, leaving me
hoartbrOkon, for, despite his fail
ings, l had loved him dearly.
Gilbert had all along loved me,
and without doubt his affection was
as pure as it was sincere. After Ru-
pert Garstang's disappearance Gil
bort urged his suit upon me. 1 told
him what indeed l felt, that had
no love FOR any man now," but he
declared that he would wait for my
love to como aftcrward."
My mother WIS dying, and 1
should be left unprovided for, as her
income ceased with her life, and she
pressed mo to accept Gilbert, so, al
though in my then broken hearted
condition was avorso to tho match,
/ consented.
know Gilbert was u moral, up
right and good man, and 1 admired
and respected him greatly, but did
not love him.
We had been married about six
months, and Gilhcrt's kindness, gen
tloness and loving attention and for
bearancc, with his ever thoughtful
ways, had told on me. / had com.
pletoly lost my heart to him, but I
was too proud to confess it.
In the earlier days of our married
life l had received his attentions
coldly and indiifercntly, but he nov
or murmurod. He had taken me at
my own valuation. Il had no love
to give him." had said.
l suppose there is n limit to the
patience of all men. Gilbert was
very patient and forbearing, but it
became evident to mo that he was
getting tired of my cold and unaf-
fectionate behavior. He doubtless
thought it was time I reciprocated
his kindness at all ovonts, even If I
wero unable to return his love, and
his manner became less warm to-
ward me, although he was still kind
oh, so kind-and there was a sad
ness Overshadowing him in all his
actions.
Whether 1t was because of this
gradual cooling of his ardor know
not; but, as / say, l was now con
scious that l did love him, not with
the passionate ebullition of my at
tachment to Rupert Garstang, but
with dcop, trustful, earnest, thank
full and lasting love.
Oh, how l longed to throw my
self into his arms and toll him he
had won my heart! But could not.
By tacit consent he had never
pressed me for any avowal of love,
and was too proud-too stiff neck
ed-tO admit it.
may have thought it modesty. I
know l made that tho excuse to my
self, but it was u lying excuse. It
was my wrctchcd pride. I wanted
him, my own husband, whom had
promised at tho altar to love, to beg
for an admission of my affection.
So we were gradually drifting
away from each Othor. | felt it ev-
cry day. l knew that had only to
say, colbert, have learned to love
you" and tho warm spring of his
noble nature would have gushed
forth to mo- But I would not, and
day by day inwHrdly chafed, until
[ came to regard tho matter from q
false standpoint and persuaded my.
self that my love was spurned by
him rather than-as was the truth
that ! was spurning his love.
We went to EXmouth for n change.
Gilbert was worry fond of boating,
and there he could get plenty of it.
I, too, used to like the water, but
my miserable feelings induced me to
be disagrocablc, and rarely accom-
panied him.
One evening / stood on the sea
wall Locking across the mouth of
the river Exc at the beautiful, placid
scene The sun was disappearing
behind the hills on the opposite side
of the river, and tho huge sand bank
known as "tho Warren" was fast
being hid in the shadow of the deep
blue uplands in the west.
Gilbert had gone in his boat to
Dawlish, and was watching with q
longing hcart-all the moro so be-
cause l tried to repress its longing
for the appearance of his sail
round the point, when became con-
scious that some one was standing
beside me. / looked up, and 1t was
Rupert Garstang!
Had n ghost appeared to me I
could not, ] think, have felt a great
or terror than did at that moment.
All the blood in my body seemed to
reoede inward, and stretched out
my hands and clutchcd the low par
apet wall to support myself from
dropping to the ground.
Felicia, he said, Il have return
cd. / am rich again.
essayed to speak, but my voice
faiiad mn Then tho reaction cane