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

not aware you were IN England.
l did not know if II, bad hoard of
my marriage, so ! added:
1--WE arc stayirg hCrC for awhile
My husband is at Dawiish this after
noon"
~ heard you wore married, Fee
licia," be returned in n familiar
tono, but it WAS great mistake on
your part--a great mistake. am
sure you can't DO happy"
As no bcnt his head toward mo |
GOULD smell his breath of drink. His
impudence and vulgarity dlSguStod
mo, and could now see through
him as through II pano of glass. This
was the creature | had loved, for
whom l had spurnCd tho affection of
the bost of mon. Faugh! l hated
not only him, but myself too
Really, Mr.. Garstang / said rs
coldly and as pointcdly rs l know
how, you must DO forgetting what
you say you have heard. You will
please obliRe mo by remembering it,
and also the respect you owe TO Mr..
Armstrong and myself
"Ohv' he exclaimed Contemptu.
ously. Don't ridc the high horse.
know all about it. There's no lovo
lost between you, I'll be bound. Re-
speotW he sneCred. Il owe him no
respect. He's robbed mo of the
dearest thing on earth to mo. How
ever, my time will como, and sooner
than many think, he added, with
a boisterous but vicious, half drunk
en- laugh.
His demeanor and language fright
ened me.
II will bid you good evening, M
Gerstang, Dried as l turned and
hurried to our apartments.
Rupert's reappearanco had very
much upset mo. was greatly agi-
tated. The insolcnt style in which
he had addressed meas If bolong-
cd to him-made me boil with in
dignation. 1t was not oven as if
had Tilted him. Ho had squandcred
his patrimony and loft mo without
tho bare deconcy of a parting word.
had long felt that l had done with
him forever, and yet here he was
prosecuting me with his presence,
as if he had n botter right to my al
legiance than my own hus band had
sat with such thoughts as these
surging through my brain, and the
time passed without my noticing
it's progress until it was getting
quite late, and Gilbert had not re-
turned.
The servant came to mo and an
nounoed that dinner was ready.
Mr.. Armstrong will be in direct
ly," ! replied. Let it wait little
while"
The next minute there was VIC.
| lent ringing at the doorbell, and
"old Dave" the boatman, followed
the girl into the room.
"Oh, ma'am, ma am !" he cried,
I'm awful sorry for We, am indeed,
but Muster Armstrong; boat has
been found bottom up'ard off the
Warren and it's Almost certain as
he's lost"
l gave a shriek and would have
tainted, but the maid rushed to me
with some water, which was at hand,
and urged me to be calm. She was
q sensible. kind hearted girl, and
her presence of mind was contagious,
so rallied myself.
"Is there no hope?" l cried. HAS
no sign of my husband been seen?
Tell me! Has his body not been
found? Tell me the worst "
mo, ma'am. replied the man
hes not been found. But I'm
afeor'd there DO but little hope, and
that's tho truth. 1t is said as how
there's been some foul play. For
why? There's some holes been bored
in the bottom o the boat"
Holes borcd?' l said. "Why,
who could do such thing? Besides
the boat would not float"
"Oh, vol, you sec, ma am, if the
holes WAS plugged wi soap or suth-
in O that sort, it nd float for a time.
Two hcor'd O suoh games afore
now, no answered.
"What can be done?" asked help
lessly.
"Nothin as l can see, except to
wait, ma'am, he replied
mo. can do nothing, suppose,
but wait" said despondently. Il
would rather BIO alone in my anxiety
and grief. Thank you for your kind.
| ness in coming, Dave, and let me
know If anything further is discov.
| cred"
THANK 90, ma'am," concluded
Dave as he pooketed his gratuity and
shuftled Off III be sure and lei
you know as soon as hears O. any.
thing"
sat down alone with my bowed
head in my hands, in an agony OF
suspense and dread. All sorts OF
fanoies fitted through my mind. Sc
far as / knew, my husband had not
an enemy in the whole world. Who
could have wished to injure him ]
could not imagine
Then Rupert Garstang's drunken
boast repeated itself in my ears,
My time will come, and sooner
than many think" Could he have
done this wicked thing? tried no,
to believe 1t possible, but my con,
science told me that he might be
capable of 1t or of anything else.
Presently l was reused from my
reverie by tho servant.
"A gentleman to sec you, ma am. >
And Rupert Garstang walked into
the room.