The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-02-25
The Palsied Heart.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "LoslNo AND WINNING
My heart beat not, it felt for them"
Montgomery.
(COncludcd


(Concludcd }
Some time interviewed between his e.
lection and the period when he was 10
take seat in The national legislature
hut il hasted away, and the hour for his
departure for Washington was rapidly
approaching. His apprehensions for
llelen's health increased, as the time for
him TO leave her drew near. He had
some cause for alarm. Her two BROTH
ers and a sister had fallen victims to
consumption al a much earlier age than
that at which she had arrived and her
mother had been taken away by the same
unrelenting destroyer. Mr.. Howard's
anxiety became so great, that a week.or
two before he started on his Journey he
requested DR.. Miller, the family physi.
clan, to call as if by accident and ascer-
tain, il possible, whether Helen was
really diseased or whether his fears
were only the offspring Of dstemper
ed Imagination.
The doctor did as he was requested
to do. He called on Mrs. Howard to
see, as lie said, how she was likely to
bear so long separation. After chat
ting with her for an hour on the com.
mon topics Of the day. he made some
leading remark concerning her health.
She confessed that as the cold weather
came on, she felt some diminuion of
strength, and occasional pains in the
chest "but nothing" she added, "tn
interfere with my avocations, or to af>
feet my spirits" With the freedom of
an old friend, and family practitioner
the doctor took her hand, and found il
ho, and dry he felt her pulse, and it
was considerably accelerated. He how
ever, made no comment, and, without
any apparent uneasiness, remarked
Perhaps it is well Mr.. Howard goes
TO Washington this winter. Such pat
torn wife as YOU are will of course be
very domestic during his absence and
| doubt whether much exposure 10
orr cold northern air would do you any
good"
To Mr.. Howard the doctor made IA
report as favorable as his conscience
would permit; but he confessed that
Heen's symptoms were not ust such as
he could wish Mr. Towards look Of
deep distress led him 10 add--"but hope
much from her hrmncss Of mind aud
equanimiiy Of spirits. And after all, |
should probably think very lightly her
complaints, were not consumption the
disease of her family"
The morning Of his departure found
the feelings of Mr.. Howard all in a tn.
multi. Vain had been his endeavors to
detect in Helen the slightest symptom
of regret at their separation. She ap>
peared only the model and parioiic wo>
man, thinking of her country's good:
the lofty and independents minded wife,
enjoying her husbands honorS, but not
leaning on him for support.
AT the breakfast table, the feelings of
Mr.. Howard nearly overpowered him
To eat was impossible, and it was with
difficulty he swallowed a cup of coffee
I" | shall write 20 you very-Uery Of
ten. Helen" said he abruptly. You
will not let all my letters remain unan-
swered ?"
Certainly not," Helen repied 81
can ready understand how anxious you
will feel about the children"
Mr.. Howard bit his lips 10 preven, a
different expression Of (eeing-and ai-
ter silence Of some length said-
Will you promise me 10 take the
best possible care of your health T.
Surely there is little need of exact>
ing such promise from a mother" ans
swered Helen. feel that my life is
OF some value to my little ones-and OF
course consider ii duty 10 do all eau
do TO preserve it"
BY thus referring to the children, bnlt
as the exclusive objects Of his interest
and her own, Helen completely CLOSED
the lips of her husband, when he would
have expressed tenderness 10 herself
Her dignity aud reserve seemed 10 form
kind Of magic circle around her, oye
which he found il impossible TO pass
The kindness of her actions, and ih,
unvarying GOODNESS OF her manner; he
iondness in expressing her opinions. .an'
her concealment Of her feelings, KEEP
Mr.. Howard in a constant state Of ex
citement; aud gave rise to such conflict
ing emotions. and such conlradictor
thoughts, that one could not obtain Ut
ierancc, ere its opposite had driven il a
way.
Having the children with you," sal
Mr.. Howard, while at the breakfast ia
BILE, "you will feel less solitary iha
myself, separated from all | hold dear.
You will not, and must not feel so