Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-01-14
was sun sUrong upon nm.

ready sunk below the horizon. but
the moon had not yet risen, and Il
quiet sombcr evening light brOOded
over the still and peaceful sleeping
place of the dead Not breath of
air stirred the black crdui's or the
grass upon the graves, and the fall
of our steps upon the graVclCd path
and the hiss of the owl in the bclfry
were the only sounds that toll of
the presence of life Instead of go
ing straight back to the rrctOrv the
old man turned once more toward
that secluded part of the church
yard where all his earthly hopes
were cntombed.
Suddenly he started and stopped
short
"What's thatf" he almost whiS-
pered, pointing in the direction of
the white cross that marked the
burial place of his child
My eye followed his finger, and
there, sure enough, stretched by tho
side of the grave, was II dark. hui.
man form. TIL" rector dropped my
arm, and, quitting the path, had al
vanCed few steps over the grass,
when suddenly the figure rose and
stood facing us. l. was woman,
clad i'll black from head to foot
| Her face still wore the marks Of
beauty, but age had faded it. and it
now was sorrow stricken and hag.
gard and wan. Yet even in that
faint light could see tive hard, de
faint flash in her dark eyes ns she
stood there, tall and motionlrss,
waiting for us to speak.
"Edith!' said the rector in a
soft, wondering voice. "Why, Edie!
Why, God bless my soul"
There was II hcSitating smile upon
his face as he spoke, aS if he want
ed to welcome and reassure and yet
was uncertain of his ground.
"Nou have caught me, answered
the woman. "'ThiS is not your way
to the rectory. came and the
hard voice faltcred to see my
child's grave once more bofore-bc-
fore it is too late.
TOO late1' said the rector inter
negatively.
TOO late, she replied ficrccly
"After tonight shall be moro dead
| to YOU than ever
And then the head suddenly drop
| ped down, and the harsh tones grew
weak and humble as she added
foodt And then will trouble you
no more"
But the rector had returned to
his first thought, and all he could
say was: "Ediei Why, Edie re.
turned to her husbands Why, God
bless my soul!
And SO saying he went up to the
shrinking woman and tendcrly laid
his hand upon her arm. Then !
thought it was no time for the pres
away, but as turned the corner OF
the church l saw the old man lead
ing his long lost wife down the path
toward the rcrtory. He was still
speaking to her in loving accents OF
persuasion and encouragement, anG
she, disarmed. was weeping bitterly
You see, she's my wife, saiC
the rector, giving himself twist
in the big armchair III the library
whittier brief note had summoned
me on the evening following the
events / have related.
Il see, l replied and could think
of nothing further to remark.
you see. continued the rector
with another twist, shes not
dead"
mo, said 1, for the fact was toe
obvious to dispute.
You see-er"-- said the rector
and paused.
Yes, answered, for l saw al
that.
We'll, she left me and went and
lived with-er-elsewhere. -
raised my eyebrows and looked
sympathetic, and, indeed, l felt it,
for the poor old man was miserable
and embarrassed.
ton anything about it In fact, L
we'll, l didn tell the truth about il
God forgive meI' said the rector,
turning very red and giving me a
wrstched little deprecating glance.
was silent, but could not HELM
thinking that perhaps God would
forgive that falsehood more readily
than the hard truths of many a
righteous man.
Il cant make any excuses for
myself" he went on, fidgetinQ,
NOR yet for my poor dear wife,
but you see-er"-
And thcrcupon he rose and leaned
against the mantelpiece, kicking the
fender with his foot.
"Well, you see, she was very
young when she married me, and
perhaps or she had not had a
very good education and surround
ings, you know. And then, perhaps,
didn't treat her very wisvly-too
solemn, YOU know, too busy with my
own affairs, too purOchill Not but
what she ought L. have known bet
tor, he added suddenly. Il must
not make cN, discs for sU..h sin. "
He shuh!,,! "ho@t uuc"sily for
awhile before processing
And she hat kIuwu the other
man for some time l. Ir.r she ever
met me, and-I think Snr cared for
l.