The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-02-19

| you in this old one don't care"
) Mr. Taylor was exrava ganlly fond q
: plans, and had u magnificent cactus il
bloom; it was rare species, and this wa
the first Towering. Fanny had been con
sidering the plan for some time, and on
day a suitable opportunity presenting it.
self when they were on the piazza togeth
err managed 10 lose her footing and fell
turning the vase over 81 completely crush
ing the flowers in her descent.
Victory" thought she, as she beheId
his distressed, anxious face. But no il
was not the cactus, but the good for-nolh-
ingNife he was tenderly picking up and
feeling so anxious about.
"He certainly must love me little at.
ter att" thought she "but | don't know
he is very kind, and would probably have
been ust as concerned if the accident had
happened 10 any one ese.'
"pII go home," sobbed Mrs. james
Taylor that evening. "pll see how this
horrid man can live without me-"
How long do you intend to remain ?"
asked her husband, very colly, when in.
formed of her determination.
"Oh six MONTHS she replied. al
am tired to death of staying here, and ii
will be so nice 10 see William and Frank
and all of them, My cousin Archie is
there, too, and we will have famous rides
and drives"
81 hope you will enjoy yourself" re-
marked her husband quietly. Fanny re-
linquished her teasing operations gradual
ly before her eparture-restraiEe from
overwhelming him with questions and re-
marks when he was in a serious mood,
and playing sad when he was inclined to
be merry. She would no longer throw
down his new hat flor which he had
particular afection) dozen times a day,
and pretend that it was entirey accidental,
and invite disagreeable company when he
was least in the mood 10 bear it. 1t re-
qured all her resolution 10 leave her hus>
band she felt wretched and unhappy-at
the very idea, and would walk around the
house thinking of his loneliness, and won.
dering whether he would ever feel sad or
remember her abominable behavior when
sue ildu SOUc.
Her very heart was bursting the morn
ing she left, and it was with the greatest
difficulty that she could restrain her tears.
Yet one never would have suspected it,
for she was gay 10 an excess.
{" | leave you with the comfortable con-
viction that you'll not miss me at ALL"
she said lightly, as her husband assisted
her into the carriage.
He smiled. said goodbye" and the
horse started. Mr. James Taylor would
have been hattered if he had known that
Fanny cried all the way home, and her
pretty face was so swollen and disfgured
that she did not even see Archie, or half
of them till the following morning.
"i'I punish him by not writing"
thought she "he never even asked me if
| would |"
And write she did not for fortnight,
till at engh growing desperate 10 hear
from him, she penned an epistle abound
ing in questions and directions, orders and
counter-orders, with feeble hope at the
end that it might find him Furnishing
He replied Immediately by very kind let
ter, not love-llke, but in unison with the
rest of his conduct, affeclonate. proper
and amiable. Fanny waited fortnight
again, then sent for him to take her home.
And now was Mr. James Taylor if he had
the least love for his amiable helpmate, 10
undergo slight purgatory.
She was absent when he arrived, (of
course she intended TO be) riding with her
cousin Archie, and walked her horse leis-
urely up the avenue talking gaily to her
escort Till her husband reached her side.
Nothing could be more coolly well bred
than their meeting. No rapture or emo
ton on either side. She chopped he was
well, a." he was very;" had she enjoyed
her visit2" Eyes; more than tongue
could tell"
81 don't believe he is WE'LL" thought
Fanny, as she glanced at him afterwards {;
how pale and thin he has grown, ard he
looks more melancholy than ever: |
wonder what is the mater with him.
murmu!ed Fanny to herself. 1t was sur
prislng how many plans Fanny had with
her cousin Archie during the three days
that her husband remained. She had not
been particularly civil to him before, for
he was an old lover, and she did not care
to be, but now there really was no end to
the jests and excursions they got up to-
gether, she gayest Of the gay, and he car
rying out her wild fancies with all the zeal
in the world.
81 don't think James looks either we'll
or happy Fanny" said her mother one
day.
Don't you :" returned Fanny, and she
felt quite charmed at the idea, and racing
after her husband who was at the foot of the
garden walk, she proposed her mothers
remark without the slightest circumlocu-
ton. He looked for a moment at her an
imaIed flce, then replied grayely that che
was perfectly weIl.' Fanny was uncer>
toi