Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-07-12
TIE STORY OF AN HOUR.
3Y HILDA NEWMAN.


the sObs, tears and chickering's are over,
and in their stead reigns the cold silence
of resolution.
How did it all begin? Neither could
tell. Yet the torture of an unworthy
suspicion, and a pride that scorns to
answer the doubts of an exacting love-
have apparently sufIiced to obiiterate the
memory of the happiness Of three I'M
clouded years of kindness and love.
They are going to separate. There is
nothing else to do, she says, and he tao
lilly agrees, for he knows it is impossible
to go on living in this atmosphere of dis
content. And they calmly arrange their
affairs, as though it were merely ques-
ton of few weeks absence instead of
the breaking up Of their home. He will
travel, and she will stay at their house
a little longer till her mother goes
abroad, when she will join her. Diminishing
all the servants, executing the old nurse
who looks after their child. All! it Is the
thought of their child that makes the
separation so hard, and he feels that the
last link between them is broken when
he yields that little life into the hands
81 the wife who does not trust him,
thinking bitterly in his heart that he
may be taught to hate him.
She sits in the drawing room. idIy
looking out of the window, surprised
at the dead calm that seems To have
come over tie house. An organ is play
ing ia he street, and the notes iar on
her strained nerves till she could scream;
but size sits ST i'll with her hands in her
ZAP, trying to believe that she is utterly
indifferent to present, past or future,
yej unconSci0usly listening to ihc hur-
RED, heavy f0ojstens overhead. whore
her husband is packing his p0rtmanteau
She Is GH!tt anxious for moment as she
remembers she has put away nus fur
lined coat that might be useful if he
goes travelling in chilly regions but She
recollectS herself with strrt, nni does
not stir from her sent She lets The
hittPr thoughts come upUermOSt in her
heart now, for She is convinced of
course, that this parting is the best thing
that could take place. Upstairs, he, quite
helpless as to the locality or many npcps-
Sarcs that have hitherto been prepared
for him by thoughtful hands. and not
feeitng able 20 confront his servant in
curing eyes, is sayageiy thruStiMg linen
INTO an unwilling receptacle whence ties
and collars stick ont proyokingly at odd
corners. ana trying to subdue a queer
feeling that Expresses him when he
thinks of her stony indifference.
SO the packing goes on and the organ
grinds merrily, and is iuwardlly hut en-
rhatcally cursed by at least two I'M
grateful people.
Al last he is readv and con,os ,l,,,l,.
down the stairs. giving somp worry ami.
BILE and offhand orders i'm tho 6a1 ra-
specting his particular belongincs
After all. ii is a great wrench for
man 10 leave his-well. then. whose fouIt
is il? And the old arguments ami sus-
picions rise again i'm her mind ana dead |
en- all other feelings.
lie comes into the drawing room. haf
in hand, very firm aud very calm. She
does not move
"Go0dby,' he says, holding out his
hand.
"Goodhy," she answers, taking if me
chemically
He p0uses at the door. and their ewes |
meet 1t il much better so.' She says |
family. And he is gone,
Then there is rushing and singing in |
her ears. Tho notes Of the organ rise |
louder and louder, till they swell into a |
rich authem-the garisl daylight chaugcs |
to the dim light OF church-shr walks !
up the aisle IN gHSteuing dress, on |
winch peari-drops shake and trcmbc |
she hears a am murnur OF voices and |
ruStln5 OF garments, and the scent Of |
WHITE hoWers is heavy in the air There |
riS# Il clear voice, whose tervor moves |
her lnmoSt heart, e%horting her 10 love, |