Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-12-19

t. years have passed since then, but the
anguish felt when | stood and Iooked
upon the cold, dead face of nv husband
in that terrible ho4r, time has not oI,o
!! gether obliterated." s 80. : -
Esther had arisen to her feet, and now
stood with her pale lips parted, and her
cheek bIanchedro an asby wilderness:
Dear aunt is all this true?" she asked
huskily, while she grasped the arm of her
! relative.
Heaven knows it is too true, nv child.
1t was the first and last quarrel / had with
my husband
'Oh! if Edward should never return r'
Esther said, clasping her hands together.
She had scarcely heard the last words of
her aunt.
Once possessed with the idea that he
would never return. the poor wife was in
agony OF fear. No suggestion made by
her aunt in the least relieved her mind
One thought-One fear-absorbed every
thing else. Thus passed the evening un.
til ten o'clock came. From that time
Esther began to listen anxiousfy for her
husbands return, but hour after hour went
by,and she was still fearful watc her.
ii shall 60 mad if sit here any long.
err" murnured Hunrley to himself as the
music came rushing on his agtated soul,
in wild tempest toward the middle of
OF the opera, and rising abruptly, he re.
tired from the house.
How still appeared the half deserted
streets! COldly the night air fell upon
him, but the lever in his veins was una
bated. He walked, first I'D ono street.
and then down another, with rapid steps,
and this was continued tor hours. Then
the thought OF going home crossed his
mind But he set his teeth firmly, and
muttered audibly.
"No! 10 be defed, and charged with
being tyrant? No! And has ID come
to this so sOOn?"
The more Huntley brooded, in this un
happy mood, over his wife's words and
conduct, the denser and more widely re
iracting became the medium through
which be saw. His pride continually
excited his mind, and threw a thick
veil over all the gentle emotions OF his
heart.
At one o'clock he found himself stand
I ing in front of the United States Hotel,
his mind made up to desert the young
creature; who, in moment of thought.
:essness, had seiSher will in opposition to
his. 10 leave the city under an assum-
ed name, by the earliest lines, and go,
he knew not, nor cared not where. Blind
passion was his prompter. and guide. In
this feVerish state. be entered the hotel
and called for q bed.
Eleven, twelve, one o'clock came, and
found Mrs Hnntley in state of wild agi.
tatiOn. Edward had not returned. The
silence and evident distress of Mrs. Car.
Isle struck down the heart of Esther, al
Clost as much as her own fears. The too
vivid recoIlectiOns of one terrible event
IN Ler life, unbalanced the aunt's mind,
and took away all power to sustain her
niece.
Il will go in search Of him, aunt" ex.
claimed Esther. as the clock struck two.
she cannot leave the city before daylight.
will find him and confess all my folly
before it is too Late,
"But where will you go, my child"
Mrs Carlisle asked in sad voice.
''Where-where shall co." eagerly
enquired Mrs Huntley.
ut is midnight, Esther, you cannot
find him now"
"But Unjust see him before he leaves
me. perhaps forever! 1t will kill me. If
I wait until morning, il will be too late"
Mrs. Carlisle hent her eyes to the floor,
and for the space of more than eaindte
remained in deep thought. She then
said in calm voice
esther, | cannot believe that Edward
will desert you on so slight provocaiion.
For few hours, his mind may be blinded
with passion, and be swayed by false
judgment. But morning will find him
cooler and more reflective. He will see
his error, and repent of any mad act he
may have contemplated. Still, to guard
against the worst of consequences. should
this salutary change not take place.
think ii would be best for you to go early
TO the boat, and by meeting him prevent
step which might cost you each a life
of wretchedness."
81 will do it! He shall not go away!
Oh! if could once more meet him! All
would be reconciled on the instant"
Comic lent in her own mind-that Ed.
ward bad determined to 60 away from
the city in the morning, and fully resolv.
ed upon what she would do, Esther threw
herself upon. the bed, and in snatcbes OF
uneasy slumber, passed the remainder of
that dreadful night. At day dawn she
was up. and making preparations for go.
ing TO the boat TO intercept her husband
"Be selfpossessed, my dear niece"
urged Mrs. Carlisle, in a voice that trem.
bled SO she could scarcely speak.
Esther tried TO reply, but though her