The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-02-18

Howard rather fingered at liable. though
he knew neither what he ate or drank
but as Heleu remained as unaltered as
marble statue, he at length rose abrupt
ly aud retired. His feelings were COM
pounded Of wonder. anxiety. apprehen-
sou, - and a kind Of displeasure, Of
which 1t had been Difficult, TO decide
whether himself or Helen was the OBJ
ject.
The text day, and the next, and the
next, were still the same, aud Mr.. lIow>
ards anxiety began to settle into feel
ing of vexation aud irritability. " She
may remain stubborn as long as she
pleases," thought he. 1t is not the
husbands place to be in subserviency 10
the wife aud if she thinks in this way
TO soften my feelings, or undermine my
authority, she will ind her mistake. II
she wishes the harmony of other days
TpSlOTeu, SUc nltSt Nlelu.
For several of the preceding days,
Mr.. Towards feelings had been SO har-
rassed, that he thought not Of iuding
fault with anything; but now he was not
sorry when an occasion Of censure oc-
Cured. Perhaps it would effect that
which he so ardenily desired should be
accomplished. without the slightest de-
scent from dignity on his part. Ia the
usual manner. he expressed his disap>
probation. Helen calmly replied, "she
vas very sorry, and would be more care
Cul thar the same should not be again
committed" Mr.. Howard was thuu-
dersiruck by her calhlindifference. lie
would much rather have seen tempest
of feeling, violent in proportion tG HE
unnatural tranquility that had so long
reigned. Dignity and anxiety had a
sharp, but momentary conflict; and the
latter so far aimed the victory as ,olead
him TO say
"You have not appeared rs usual for some
days past, Helcr-are you unwell p
~ am perfectly well-Ihank you she re-
piled, with the same unmovcd tone and
manner as before, and scarcely raising her
ewes from the work in which she was eneag-
ed.
"At least" proceeded M. Howard, with
suppressed emotion, you are not as cheer
ful as like TO see you"
Helen continued to ply her needle with
all diligence, and remained silent.
MIR. Howard watched her for some time
with deep soliciiude and then silently left
the parlor.
A few more days spent just like the pres
ceding ones. led Mr.. How ard to resolve OH
leaving home for week or Two. Hitherto
his unavoidable journeys had been season
Of great trial to Helen. As soon as lie would
be gone, the days and hours were literally
counted, until HE return might be expecteci
but now, she heard him propose 10 leave
home for number of days, with as much
tranquility as if he had only proposed to take
an airing-Wih her usual care and promp.
tilude, she saw everything was properly pre-
pared for his journey--but there were nc
tears-no entrcatics that he would use all
possible despach-no parting kiss which as
sured him that her whole heart ard soul went
with him. He departed-and in four day:
was at home again. He was on the rack
during the whole period of his absence. In
deed, his feelings were such that when he ar
rived at his own house, he was really indis-
posed. Helen met bin with all courtesy,
expressing satisfaction that he had rsturned
without accident, and regretted HE impaired
health just as she would have doLe had il
heen common acquaintance un1er similar
circumstances She neglected no duty
however, but nursed him with untiring as.
siduily though with no more tenderness Than
her benevoence would have led her TO man
iiest 10 sick stranger.
"IIow much longer is this to last, Helen p
said Mr.. Howard, one day, after she Ind
stood for some time silently bathing his tenn
pies, but carefully averting her eyes from his.
lie claspcJ her hand in his as ho spoke;
Without woId in reply, she disengnged
her hand and calmly walked to a clcset to
replace the vial, the contents of which she
had been using.
Mr.. Howard closed his eyes, and lie aned
his head on the back of the chair. with a
sup pressed sigh. lie neither knew what ,c
do, nor what to think. The person who NOV
ed about him, who ,onyersed with him, and
attended so carefully 10 all his wants, seem
ed entirely another being than his own
Helen. Formerly size had been just like
an aifectionate, confding, dependent child
every JOY and every sorrow was poured in
10 his ear her whole soul WINS laid bare be.
fore him. A once she had become the dig.
nifed, reserved, self-possessed woman. She
said nothing Of what pleased or wha,
troubled her. She expressed neither hopes
nor fears, nor wishes. She coEve'sed on
any Topic he introduced, with freedom, il
themselves were out Of quesiion,--but here
she remained impeneirahy silent. llor
mind seemed open TO his inspection her
heart was herme,ically sealed.
Week followed week. and month after
month without producing any change; but
use did not render the new state ,f things
any more tolerable TO Mr.. Howard. His