Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1889 — THE WORK OF A TEAR. [ARTICLE]

THE WORK OF A TEAR.

For the first time In two years these two, who had once been man and wife, met in a hotel parlor. They were parted through the machinations of a jealous woman, who, failing to inspire a love in the husband, had set herself to work to make the couple unhappy. The meeting was strictly a business one that brought them together. Some legal papers assuring a separation had to be discussed and signed by both parties. There was a wild imploring glance in the man’s eyes when they fell on his wife’s face, but she did not seem to notice it. She seemed nervous and dispirited, and the white hands trembled visibly, and see did not dare to raise her eyes foi some time. She was richly dressed in plain black velvet, that set off her superb figure. Sh< was much his junior, but a woman in th( prime of beauty's summer. He thought of his lost happiness with many a pang and of this woman he coul d never call by the sacred name of wife again. A harsh decree of law hat snatched her from his side forever. This stately, beautiful lady was "Mrs Jernyngham” now, for him as for al others. lie had no right to take her ham or clasp her in his arms. He must stil the heating of his aching, agonized hear and address her as he might address th veriest stranger of h er sex. It was a terrible effort. But he made i' bravely: and succeeded in it far bette than he had hoped. She looked up, with a start of surprise as his cold and measured tones fell on he ear. She turned deathly pale as she me his eyes, and then the color rushed bacl to her face in an overwhelming tide o crimson. She took the chair he brought her without a word, and leaned her heac upon her hand. Presently she looked up. Her ey« avoided his. But her manner was per fectly quiet now, and her face was cum. though pale. "vve will go on now with our business, if you please, sir,” she said, in a voice at measured as his own had been. He bowed low and drew a chair neai the table where she was seated. Spreading two formidable looking documents on the table before her, he began explaining their nature and contents as calmly as u he had been some smoke dried lawyer, and she his client. She listened in silence. "You Yuliy understand the nature ol this deed —Mrs.—madam?” he said, when he had concluded. "I do.” “Are you satisfied with the provision* herein made for your future? Can anything more be done? Can I be—” His voice faltered a little and broke. Her hand, lying on the edge of the legal document. txaahM «he*tfV.

•'i am pcrrccuy sausnen, sir," sne an swered at last. “ I hen you will have the goodness tc sine your name within ihat blank.” A pretty, fanciful inn stun i of malack' ite aud ormolu stood on a marble slab at the further end of tliu room. He rose to bring it. Her dark eyes followed him—was it with a yearning love? If so, he knew it not. Returning ho plated tlm (men parch mont sheet before her and pointed to the blank. hhe took up Aho pen. • “What nanfe-shc a dec I in alow voice, and again that crimson ti !u sur-md up over cheek and neck aud brow. “Your—your own, madam:’’ he answered, coloring painfully in his turn. “Alexia Jernyngham.” She wroto u calmly, in a full, free, flowing hand. And he iookod on the while, thinking of other days, when, in their own home, he had often watched her proudly ana fondly, as she signed another name.

Throwing down the non as the last letter was framed, she rose to her Met. Ho roso also. “Farewell—madam!” he said in a broken voice. And again the dark blue eyes were bent upon her downcast face wiili a passionate, despairing look. Her breast heaved convulsive y once or twicq. She put her white hand suddenly up to her throat, as if something had stopped her breath. Her hand met tho golden chain. The next moment the chain was torn from her neck, revealing a, beautifully executed immature, ret closely in a border of forgot me nois, formed with rare skill from clusters of precious gems. His quick eyo fell upon the portrait—his own face! And she had worn it next her heart through these two lonely years in spite of all. The chain Hashed brightly in Iho air X the precious stones blazed In tho sunlight’ the diamond-guarded wedding rin >■ shone like a circle of living fire as she’tore it hastily from her hand and dushed it, with the picture, at his feet. “fake them!” she cried, wildly “Take them away from my sight forever! Oh, J wish 1 could tear every thought of * you from my breaking heart! ’ And as she spoke something brighter than the diamonds—of infinitely greater value tlmn gems, or gold, or the finest efforts of the artist’s skill—Hashed also in the sunlight and fell upon her chock. It was a tear.

He saw it and his heart boat high. Yet even in that moment pride must come between them. He stooped for the treasure at his feet. “Akxia,” ho suid gravely, “if I take these it must only be lo give (hem back to you again. Shall it be so, *ny darling?” . The once familiar pet name fell siowly and hesitatingly from ills lips. But still she heard it, tfho came a step nearer. The tours fell faster now, and the white hand shp held out to him trembled like a leaf. “My husband!” "On, ray wife! my wife!” And holding her to ills long-widowed heart, the strong and stately man laid his proud head upon tho woman’s shoulder and wept. The next day saw. their second bridal. No enemy can ever come between them more. They are bound too firmly to each other now to ever be separated except by the cruel hand of death.