Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-05-13

from the country, and arrange them with
leaves, in a pretty basket, that gave them the
most tempting air imaginable, and take then,
herself to Mrs. Arnot. Fruit, flowers and
books had been the principal gifts exchang-
ed between them, and she felt almost happy
again, as she eagerly entered the parIor at
Mrs. Arno,'s. Formerly she had ushered
herself up 10 the little siuing-room, but this
bad been dropped iacilly for some lime.-
Still it was rather cooling to her enthusiasm
to be told 'Mrs. Arnot was engaged but
would be down direclly'-nnd wait minute
after minute in The darkened room as formal
and uniateresting as city parlors usually nre
in their summer suit OF brown Holland, and
nett luces.. Her spirits fell considerably, and
when the door opened and Mrs. Arnot ac-
tualIy came, do all she could her greeting
was constrained and her offering formal. '
4 knew you would excuse it, Mrs. Arnot
said, drawing on her gloves as she spoke,
but have an engagement cannot possibly
break; and Il thought, perhaps, you would
walk with me- t3'''" s's .". ''.'''i i.
So a servant was summoned, the basket
given 10 charge, and the two went out to-
getber. They walked several squares, con-
versing on the leading topics of the day )
spoke Of the beauty of the squares, the last
fashion for bonnets. and the marriage Of a
mutual acquaintance. Oh, how different
from the many pleasant walks of days gone
by, when they talked truly upon all things
Observation-Disclosures variations of thought
and feeling-aIl that interested them most
deeply in human love, or diviner influ.
ence. And so they paired while Mrs. Arnot
said .....' ......I.. ....4 ...-...
You come so seldom, lately, am sorry
was obliged 10 60 out to-day sly" 9a""t 10
Mrs. Maxwell drew close her veil The in
stant she was out Of sight, Her warm af1ec-
lionate nature had been cruelty wounded.
Il caunot bear it much longer, Harry, in.
deed cannot she said to her best counsel
lor. who saw the traces of tears when he
came al nightfall to he made happy Al home !;
and then she laid her hand on his shoulder
and sobbed those long, grieving sobs. like n
frightened child. ......... .....--,. ...
You think too much Of il, Anna he an
swered soothiDgIy. you have had friends
before and lost them without half This feel
ing. | am afraid my wife is romantic after
all .t... ,...t...t ...--- .-4.,.
No, dear, you are mistaken. My regard
Tor her was above all romance. She united
SO many loveab!e elements OF character, and
besides a,n grieved for the very principle
Involved. She herself gave me the assurance
nothing could part us. She has always
spoken OF her gratitude, though Ihave only
followed the dictates Of humanity by going to
her. but it bound US ,ogeiher you can see,
and am afraid it will shake my faith in hu-
man nature, Harry, if she has deceived me-
Listen said Mr.. Maxwell, more serious
ly. 'You are not content to give her up en-.
tirely. You feel that you have been wronged.
Why not ask an explanation at once? II
you cannot be reconciled it i. better to give
up The acquaintance at once. a ..- af.a
But have neuer done anything to offend
her and it would be so hard 10 give her up.
To 60 by the windows have always looked
up to SO eagerly, turning my face away
and those books that love so well, to nut
them away-there are twenty things to re-
mend me of her every day! 1t would be
worse than her death-a living death, Har-
ry.' 4i'" . n'"" HEdi = ''77d 'a--a''
Mr.. Maxwell scarcely knew wba, 10 say.
A coldness between himself and Mr.. Arnot
had been the natural result of affairs, and he
had often felt unplcasan,ly at the daily con.
tact It wns impossible to avoid. They often
cnme up 10 The same omnibus, or walked
squares homewards, with mere monosyIIa-
bles Of commonplace. 1t was unpleasant in
any point OF view, He rather urged an ex-
PLANTATION, but sill left il entirely to his wife
judgment. .ti 97m i-Mr HaaI bGsa
II came at last. Mrs. Maxwell had love d
her friend too well 10 let pride seal her lips
any longer. She went to Mrs. Arnoi with a
deliberate purpose 10 win her back, or seal
up the past, as a pleasant dream with a sad
awaking. II was a conscience pure from any
known offence, and this sill humble resolve
that carried her through the painful intro
ducion of the subject, and the paDe of pain
she felt when Mrs. Arnot coldIy answered.
AN explanation she had avoided. 1
could only bring pain TO bo,h, and she had
long since been convinced they never could
be friends .'a'5 -fi '' 's''' i''''i ~ t'A'
Il was SO mistaken in you. Anna, and
shall never trust another as have done you.
| But, is il fair to condemn me without
hearing?' I'i'" -'l At,lp ,'i tl''i'"a -"
A flush of wounded pride passed ovel
Mrs. Arnot's face. 1t is all too evident II
need proof laln--g ligt rHa8i lt 4l1~a .uir
One less gentle than Mrs. Maxwell, or les.
steadily resolved 10 bear all and suffer all i
she had really offended, to win back he
friend, could not have listened again TO tba
cold, calm voice. or would a, least have me
The proud glance with one equally disdainful
But Mrs. Maxwell knew The ruling passion
had. for > moment, The mastery. and onl
answered.. still gently hu ~ s4 io .a
81 must insist, for nay own sake, and il
memory Of the past, that you tell me my ol
fence. That il is light am certain y.
oh. Anna-lisht. Light 10 say that
had an unloved home! Light to slander m
noble, kindest Of husbands, into torturin
my confidence, while YOU -proiessed the sin