The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-04-26
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Wont you change your mind
Maud"
1T is too late to change. The dog
cart is at the door
What does that matter? It can &c
back to the stables | wish you would
MY dear Jack. do not add inconsls'
teney to my other faults. Goodness
knows the list of them is long enough
ia your estimation.
The speakers were a man and a wo.
man. both young. and both good to
look upon. She was very pretty and
very young. but her mouth was set ~
hard line and there was defiance III
her eyes The man stood in front OF
her, looking at her anxiously. and min
gled with the cawing of the rocks over
head came the sound OF a horses hoofs
impatiently paving the gravel in front
OF the hall door. Truly the dogcart
was waiting
Jack Rodney gave a sigh which was
almost a gr0an then drew himself UP
and squared his shoulders with the in
voluntary action OF man who has to
say something unpleasant and who
hates the task
VERY we'll Maud. can say nc
more II is evident we cannot go on
like this Our lives are burdens to us
and soon people will begin TO notice
that we are not on friendly terms Per-
haps when | am away you will think
better of me. ! may not irritate you
SO much You know, | only speak to
you for your own good.
You preach You don't speak.
Maud
ooh. don't lei us argue am sick
of it,"
And of me. too. l suppose? Well.
then good-by. II you will have it SO.
have left note for YOU on the bou-
doir table VIII you kiss me-"
NO. II is stupid to he hypoeritleal,
and there are no oHlookers.
With another sigh the man turned
away, and without one backward
glance walked to whore the dogcart
stood In readiness. took the reins and
in a minute the sound of a horses swift
trot was heard down the gravel drive.
Maud Rodney sat quite still where
her husband had left her until the
faintest soundA had died away, Then
she rose and pulled rose from tree
as she passed but il fell to pieces as
she gathered it. and thorn scratched
her finger After All, It was as well that
Jack had gone to Norway They were
always quarreing, and he never let her
do as she liked. She had been 30 spoiled
at home that she c0ulG not brook the
slightest contradictions, besides, she
wanted to show him how independent
she was and how we'll she could do
without him.
IL was getting cold, and she shivcred.
Where was her warm cloak, which
Jack always wrapped around her when
the dew was falling. The maid would
bring H. She Went to the house to
summon her As she passed through
the open French window into the bou-
doir she thought OF the note left for her
by her husband,
Another lecture, | suppose, she
muttered, as she broke the seal Ii
contained n blank check and short
note, which said:
My Darling Wife-Iou can fill up
the inclosed for any amount you like.
Do not deny yourself during my ban
ishment, and try to recall me as soon
as YOU can. You know how much
love you. Yours ever. JACK.
She twisted the letter about in her
fingers. and the corners of her mouth
dropped as those of Il child about to
cry, but she forced back the tears and
tried to tell herself she was woman
of spirit
Wrapping a shawl round her. she
went again into the dusky garden and
wandered down long green alley,
with tail white foXgloves bordering II
ON either side. They looked uncanny
in the dim light, and the groups of pale
blossoms in the distance seemed to
take queer shapes and to bend and
wave like fantastic spirit forms made
misty by the darkness. II was so hor-
ribly still and yet the throh OF the
night beat like a silent pulse in the
air. Two white owls flew over her head
and startled her with their mournful
cry, and surely yes surely in
the distance under the shadow of the
trees was the crouching form of man
Mrs. Rodney's heart sank into hei
boots, and with cry of Jack, Jack,
she turned and fed Footsteps followed
fast behind her and like fash the
thought went through her mind that
she was left defeneeiess.
Jack, come back Oh. come back!
was her voieeless cry as she felt her
strength going and feet Tagging, but
as she turned the corner she saw a
maidservant running toward her. She
paused to gain breath. and then Went
on. A happy thought flashed through
her mind Her husband had returned
She would never be wilful again.
Your master--has he come back?
she gasped.
The woman nodded, but said nothing
AT the hall door group of people
were standing. and their faces looked
pale aud terrified. She heard murmurs
OF THE horse fell pitched on his
head" "all over in a moment ans
with an icy fear in her heart sh,
rushed into the hall. \ man held NJ
his hand for silence.
On low couch lay still form, witt
II handkerchief over the face. VITA
trembling hands she lifted it and saw
Ler husband, quite white, quite still
IIa had come hack vet not he but
lifeless form, an outward sembanc'
only OF the man she had loved, We
banlshed. And then she knew that sh'
was indeed alone. And yet the worlt
would go on just the same, the flower:
bloom. the birds sing and mornins
and night dawn and darken. making NJ
round of weary years, while only Goo
and her own hear, would know thu
despairing bitterness OF her cry, Come