The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-14
and the nature lie deals with. he added.
ST expected you.a

and the nature lie deals with, he added.
7 expected YOU
Helen paled but remained speeehless;
there was that in her which condemned
| her to silence. Day after day she went
about those little duties that added SO
| much comfort to his life. He noticed
how perfect had become her beauty,
how easy and graceful all her move
ments, the dignity that rested On her
brow. On the other hand she saw how
gray her husbands hair had grown.
how sad the handsome mouth, how
stern the eyes that of yore lighted
up so easily.
The evening was dreary: the Colonel
had not been in to dinner. It was
drilling and the atmosphere was
heavy with sadness. OF late Mr.. Hunt
was frequently absent, and his silent
moods seemed to have become habit
ual, so much that he spoke with EVIL
dent effort. Was this home? Was it
life? Was this state of affairs the price
to be paid for the en1inence whence
she had sh0ne for q while? Gould she
Keep this up? The great world had not
vet forgotten her, she learned from
the letter before her 1t was one Of
those letters that had always thrilled
her. Should she hesitate? Should she
60 across the seas with this loved onea
The letter fell at her feet while she
unused; then, turning to the table, she
took UP card requesting that Colonel
and Mrs Hunt would be present at
the opening OF the Clifford library,
and an accompanying note asked IF
she would lend the attraction of her
voice to the programme, etc" She had
given much time to this, years before:
now that the good was at last accom-
plished what did she care?-to be seen
farce was this!
Her hands were tightly clasped. Five
weeks since her return, and not word
Of welcome, not a sign of joy; her quiet
efforts were met with distrust. Moth
ing but this intolerab1e silence! What
attitude could she take but to seek
refuge in pride?
At last she heard her husbands foot I
steps in the hall; he hesitated. then
walked into the bright sitting room, SO
elegant and snug since her return.
After a space of oppressive silence,
picked up the letter lying at her feet.
The sight of the writing made his heart
stand still, his de1icacy once more
caused him to hesitate; but, suddenly
resolute, he turned to the closing words
and signature, which ran:
In conclusion | beg you not to con-
slider my pleasure nor interests at
stake. Lady W knows how you are
situated, and, like myself, approves of
my noble Helen's choice With loving |
friendship, FRANCES"
The letter fell from his hand, and
his voice, as he spoke, sounded cold |
and distant:
Helen, it is a relief to know at last
that your mysterious correspondent is
the woman whose spirituality has won
for her the reverence of two worlds |
This choice referred to- but his |
Wife's Hstless air, as she gazed into the /
fire. made him add bitterly: You must /
excuse me, once more intrude upon |
your privacy"
Again there was silence. You must
be cold said she, at last, in a voice OF /
studied calm
@Yes. but might be still colder il a
few days
How so:''
''I might take a journey to the far
northwest, and be absent many weeks,
nay, months; in fact, it is hard to say
how long. The railroad company needs
a man. OF energy in those Willis, and it
has honored me with the choice
Her voice was. still cold as she asked:
Is it Of much advantage to you? Could
the journey be avoided?"
Yes, there is some advantage,
though / have work on hand T must
give a definite answer within "a hours"
WELL said her clear. proud voice.
you must not go. It is too much ex-
posure;; see a way out of this situa-
ton. feel I have once more dis
-urbed your life, and should not have
returned; clearly my presence is I'M
welcome. No, do not speak, At last
you give me occasion to say that which
have long wished to say to you.
intend once more to take up the career
had chosen and in which met with
success" Mistaking the nature of his
silence, her pride rose above her. suf-
ering, and she continued: 1.-TWO per-
sons who have become utterly indif-
erent cannot thus impose their pres
snce upon one another My journey to
She was near the door
against which he already stood; al
eady he caught her wrists in his
'trong hands and in hoarse whisper
Lsked:
rs this your choice?''
She remained silent
Why have you returned? I must
nave the truth -
With tears in her eyes, she said:
i am not we.scme enough to an
wer.'
Welcome! o woman, woman!"
Then looking into her upturned face,
nd pressing her hands against his
'reast, he cried:
Speak, speak! tell your husband
Why you have come back to him. =
With radiant smile she said:
''Because-because, 7 could not well
lelp myself; because, the law DEGREES:
! good home to good mani" And the