The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-06-08

and locked up to become bitter Thoughts, AND
bring that wan, spiritess look 10 the face, which
distinguishes so manv married women. AS
we have before said-thrice happy il she who
finds a jodicious, lhoughtfvl friend at her own
freside. 3. hsinn i.f1p ehl ii p"p1
II love her better every lime seoher," she
exclaimed enthusiastically, of Mas. Arnot; Sand
indeed she is perfectly right. don't see how
we ever could be separated"
1 Yet it was only on her next vsit that she
fancied Mrs. Arnot received her less warmly
than usual But, take it altogether, she felt
chilled ond uncomfortable, and did not take
out her knitting as she had intended to-.
Two or three days passed before the vist
was returned. This was not unusual, but there
seemed no excuse, and Mrs. Arnot's manner
implied one was expected. Mr.. Maxwell came
home early, and pressed her to stay the even
ing, saying that he would send for her hus-
band, as he often did, but she declined. 1t was
certainly very strange, so soon after their per-
feet understanding. They thed met at the
house of a mutual acquintance. Mr.. Maxwell
scarce know how to approach Angela, and this
lrresolution brought out something like positive
GOODNESS on Mrs. Arnot's part. So Mrs. Max
well felt, and even her friend remarked it.
This was saddest of all, for there had been
some little jealousy among the ladies of her
circle, at the close intimacy she had formed
where they had not been received. There
was not wanting curious eyes to note the diff
erence. nor tongues to 'str up strife" Mrs.
Maxwell came home grieved to tho very heart
and cried bitterly, with feeling of nesponden-
cy, she was quite ashamed of. She was al
most resolved to ask an explanation, out she
hesitated to do so, lest there really might be
no change, aud Angela would think her jeal-
ons or exacting Still worse, she dreaded an
open disagreement, for she could not forget
what had been said about the Venice glass
Besides these reasons, the next time she called
Mrs. Arnots manner was just the same as ev-
er. She seemed very glad to see her, was ev-
en- more kind than usual: and Mrs. Maxwell
came home persuading herself that she had
fanced the change entirely.
We cannon trace the culdness that eventually
Iv sprung up throuah all its shades and grad
nat ons. Goodness here was, though co urtesy
was never wanting in Mrs. Arnots manner
Il was ike still frosty air, the more piercing
for its very guinness Mrs Maxwell was made
miserable by it, for she had never known be-
fore how much she loved her. But she was
not conscious of any offence, und strove to
codcea even from herself, how much she was
pained II was sudden impulse of the old
iriendness which induced her one morning in
eorly summer--to select some unusually fine
strawberries that had been sent her directly
from the country, and arrange them with leaves
in pretty basket, that gave hem the most
tempting air imaginable, aud take them herself
to Mas Arnot. Fruit, flowers and books, had
been the principal gifts exchanged between
them and she felt almost happy again, as she
eaeerly entered the parlor at Mrs Arnot's.--
Formerly she had usherod herself up TO the
little sitting room, bat this had been dropped
tactly for some time. Still it was rather cool.
ing to her enthusiasm To be told "Mrs. Arnot
was engaged, but would be down directly"
and await minute after minute in the darkened
room, as formal and uninteresting as city par
rs usually are in their summer suit of brown
Holland and net laces.
Her spirits fell considerably, and when the
door opeued, and Mrs. Arnot actually came,
do all she could her greeting was constrained,
and her Offer formal.
Il knew you would excuse It," Mrs Arnot
said, drawing OH her gloves as she spoke, "but
have an engagement cannot possibly break;
and thought perhaps you would walk with
me-
81 servant was summoned, the basil ei Civ
en- IN charge, and the two went out together.
Thy walked several squares, conyersing on
the leading topics of the day: spoke of the
beauty of the squares the last fashion for. bon
nets, and the marriage Of n mutual acquaint
ancc. "Oh how different from The many pleas
ant walks of days gone by, when they talked
truly upon rhings-substance-
ria,ion ofthought and feeling-aIl that inter
ested them mos, deeply in human love, or o
dvner influence. And so they parted, while
Mrs, Arnot said
"You come so seldom lately. / am sorry
was obliged 10 90 out to-day
Mrs. MaxwnlI drew close her veil the instant
tle was out of sight. Her warm and affection
ale nature had been cruelty wounded. +
81 cannot bear II any longer, Harry. indeed
cannot" she said tn her hest counsellor who
saw the trace. oftears when he came at night
fall to be nude happy home; and then she
laid her head upon his shoulder and sobbed,
those long grieying sobs, like a frightened
child. .r.ll.t
sYon think too much of IL, Anna" he an
swered soothinsly. "You have had friends
before and lost them, without half this feeling.
/ avn afraid my wife is romantic, after ALL
"No. dear, you arc mistaken, nv regard for
her was above all romance. She herself gaze
me the assurance that nothing could part u.s.
and l ON afraid it will shake my faith in hui
man nature Harry if she has deceived me-
listen" said Mr. Maxwell more seriously,
'you are not content to give her up entirely.
You feel that you have been wronged Why
not ask an explanation at once:"
"But have never done anything TO offend
hor, and it would be so hard TO give her up
To go by the windows I have always looked up
to so eagerly, turning my face away-and
those books that | love SO well, to put them
away--thcreare twenty things to remind me
of her every day! 1t would be worse than
her deatb--a living death, Harry" .s,,
Mr.. Maxwell scarcely knew what TO saw
coldness between himself and Mr.. Arnot
had been the natural result of affairs, end he
had often felt unpleasantly at the daily con-
tact it was impossible TO avoid. s,sau
1t came at last Mrs. Maxwell had loved
her friend too we'll to let pride seal her lips any
longer. She went to Mrs. Arnot with deib-
crate purpose to win her back, or seal up tho
past, as pleasant dream with a sad awaken.
ing. And when Mrs. Arnot coldly answer.
cd ff ,. t.
"An explanation she had avoided 1t could
onlv hrin main IN both n md eha had lano s;nna