Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-08

nveo with my IaJner ana moJner wnen
I was a little child. 1t was all thu
home that could call my own.
"Home," repeated Mr.. Hueston. his
voice going down TO that low. even
melody peculiar to IL. God pity you"
l looked up little startled. l had
not hear him speak so fervently for
many months. The vein OF tender sad
ness running through his words
touched me. In my heart l said, in
voluntarily. as l met the deep glance
OF his eyes.
IF he would only love mel"
Ny soul Yves ,elin about in the
darkness for its way. was IL touching
the shining track so sC.n?
After breakfast VS. over. Mr.. Hues-
ton went into the 81 den and gathered
a bouquet Of autumn Towers for my
room. AS he placed then in my hand.
he aeked for few raoloenJs' converse
ton With nc. l sank back into a chair.
clutching my fingers toge her among
the delicate petals of the flowers.
Il have something to tell you" he
began. drawing his chair near mine.
BE patient with me; l will not task
your forbearance long or the past
am not going to speak. Elizabeth
is better dead, and you know its ways
by heart as well as but Of the pain
full present, and, i trust, 70 you. hap
pier future. You do not love me, and
because of that your face whitens, day
by day. If l remain here you will die;
so i am going away, leaving you as
free as ! can, that. apart from pres
ence which is distasteful to you, you
may gather up life's roses again.
L L
that was not my meaning when / asked
you to be my wife, thought that
knew you, when / was a stranger to
your whole nature. Too late, by far
too late, learned this. We are all so
wise in our own conceitsl All my
wealth is at your bidding-a poor price,
indeed, l know, for the sacrifice which
you have made. That is all, and may
God bless you-Elizabethi"
He held out his hand to me, and me-
chemically / placed mine within il. He
raised it to his lips for a moment, then
turned and walked rapidly from the
room, while 1 bowed my head lower
and lower till my face crushed the
blossoms upon my lap. Hours drifted
away and l did not move or speak.
Through the open windows the sounds
of October were floating in-the chirp-
ing Of the crickets in the grase-the
little, rough song of the locusts, and
the twittering of the swallows. 1t was
autumn without, bot within my heart
there was a beautiful resurrection of
life's spring. Among the flowers my
tears fell-the first that my eyes had
known for months. The strong, swift
waters of my soul were Embossed at
last, and the sweet wifely love glim-
mered through them like sunshine.
1 did not obey the summons of the
dinner-bell, not even when the good
housekeeper gravely limited that it was
the last time that Mr.. Hueston would
dine at home before he went away
he was to leave by the first train the
next morring-nor, in spite of her So
licitcus urging did l go down to tea.
knew that Mr.. Hueston would won
der at my absence, and I was willing
that he should. When the twilight had
gathered dark and purple through the
house, went into the parlor and open
ed the piano-it had been dumb for
months--and rang out merry tune.
My husband was walking upon the
piazza. out upon which the low. deem
windows led. He paused for a moment
in his walk as the sound of the music
fell upon his ear, then hurried on fast
er and faster as IL to escape from II.
/ went to the window. His garments
brushed mine as he passed up and
down, but he did not heed me. knew
that my light robe futtered in the soft
breeze, and l thought he turned away
his head that he might not see it.
stepped lightly upon the piazza and
stopped in his way, holding out nv
hand to him. He did not take II: in.
stead he retreated few PAGES. I fol-
lowed him.
THE night air 81 chilly. and you are
without a MANTLE" he said. ALLOW
me to lead you in"
stood immovable before him. with
my very heart breaking upon my lips,
and yet / could not speak.
Have you some; hing to say to me
before l go?" he asked, bending his
head towards me.
Eyes" 1 gasped. "a great deal" He
came nearer to me. and bent his head
little lower. do not go without me,
Philip-my husband" / cried, trying
to get within the she4er of his arms.
Elizabeth"
way from his lips. Was ] deceived.
then, after all? Was he serving him
self more than me in giving me up? In
the frenzy Of the thought clasped both
my hands about his arm, and said:
You do not love mel Merciful God
have pity!"
He understood me at last, and as
though had been a babe, lifted me in
his arms and held me passionately to
his breast. How strong and tender he
was! What a blessed sense of peace
and security came to my heart as
rested therel
Il am so happy" 1 said, amid my
tears and sobs.
He only held me closer, murmuring:
MY wife! my wife!"