Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-01-19

take to Lowndes Square, and springing
into a hanson, drove rapidly away to
the Langham Hotel. He had given him
self no time to think or reflect. He did
not consider whether it was wise or
an unwise thing he was doing. A wild
joy possessed him. Rosamond was back,
and he was going to see her. He could
think of nothing else. After all the long,
black, empty years they were to meet
again.
She was very tired of the desolate
hotel sitting room by this time-tired and
weary. She had almost given him up by
now.
HE cannot be in town. she said to
herself. in despair. 81 wish, now, that
I had written before from Alexandria.
Does he have his letters forwarded, l
wonderland will he get my note In the
course of time? How can l find outW
All at once her quick ears caught the
sound Of approaching footsteps along the
corridor. She sprang to her feet; her
hands, womanlike, went instinctively up
to smooth her ruffied hair; her eyes
shone, her lips parted and her heart beat.
How wildly her heart beat! For he had
come at last!
Through a mist she seemed to see
him, mist of her own glad tears. The
love of her life, whom she had loved and
had forsaken, but to whom her faithful
heart had clung, through all absence and
time, he stood before her at last! She
reached out her hands to him; she felt
the strong grip of his as he grasped them.
one in each Of his. He only spoke her
name hoarsely and huskily:
"Rosamond!
And she-she it was who spoke first
who found the words, poor, weak, trem-
| bling words-that shook with the great
ness of her joy.
Yes; it is I-Rosamond-come back
| TO you at last-my Brian-my only love
my hearts delight-never, never to be
parted from you again. For | am free,
and l am yours for ever"
Oh, why-why then did he not clasp
her in his arms? Why did he not draw
her to his heart, and rain such kisses
| upon her eager lips as she had dreamed
of and thirsted for SO long! Why did
| he stand so, and look upon her with that
awful look of deepening horror and woe
in his eyes? Why did his cold hands
slacken thus their eager hold, and fall
away at last, nerveless and helpless from
out of hers?
Brian. Brian" she cried, with the
| sharp ring of a nameless terror; "do you
not hear me? Do you not understand
| | am Free
bo rannntaI Slow 4
and painfully. bringing out each worl
separately with a sort of labor, as thous,l
each one hurt him to utter. Your
husbands he deady'
Yes. yes-do you not see my clothes
| | am a widow. Heaven forgive me if
am too glad. but how can | help my
joy, when, from the day that he died
| knew that l might love you once more
| did my duty. ! was good wife to
him, but, oh, how | suffered! But now
it is all over and | have come back tC
you, and-Brian! Brian" she broke ou
wildly, for still he stood there blanchet
to the very lips, and stared at her witt
those horror-stricken eyes. Are you no
glad? Speak to me, for heavens sake
What is it? Why do you look at m'
so?"
when did he die?" was all he said
in a number, dreary voice.
Eight months ago
And then he flung up both arms wildly
with an exceeding bitter cry of anguish
"Ah, it was my wedding day." and
fell prostrate before her upon his knees
burying his face in his outstretched arms
Rosamond spoke never word. She
stood erect and stiff cold as ice, anC
motionless as marble; not word broke
the stiffness of her. agony. save thos,
awful choked sobs from the bowed form
at her feet. Afterward she could mo-
recall what she had felt and thought il
those first moments-only that in som,
vague fashion Fate was revenged upor
her. Once long ago she had ruined thi,
mans life, and now-now it was he wht
ruined hers.
(TO be cOntinued.)
|