Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-06-26

ever left you alone half dozen eveing
since brought you to the city p
"No, James. dear, you are always kin
to me, and have never thought Of r,ak
ing one complaint. am sire you know
never wanted you to stay at home s.
closely evenings, but often asked you to go t
lectures and places where couldn't g
since baby was to be taken care of, ant
you always said you would rather be here
than anywhere else in the world. never
blamed you for staying tonight, or las
night, James. Was only frightened fo
fear something might have happened t.
yon.''
"Well, well, Eliza, I'm here now, ant
want my supper. So don't let's say an,
more about it. 1t shall net happen again
very soon if can help it."
But it did happen again more than once
That night James Harrington ate his sup.
per nearly in silence, and almost as soon
as il was finished, saying he was very
tired, he went to bed and soon was sleep
ing heavily. There was no reading thai
night no pleasant conversation, no frolick-
ing with the baby Eliza mechanically
finished her household arrangements, hush
ed the baby to sleep again. and then TAX
ing the lamp she went into the little bed
room. The sleeper lay with the heavy
curls Of his black hair falling over the
snowy pillow He looked very handsome
for there was bright flush spreading over
his sun Drowned cheek. But the anxious
wife, whose fears of illness had been ex-
cited by his strange conduct, felt them all
returning at sight Of this fever token.-
She stood watching him for many minutes
during which be moaned uneasily, aud
threw his arms about as if in pain and as
she took one of his hands she felt it burn
ing in her own. Undecided whether
she would waken him, she stopped TO kiss
his forehead which lay so white in con-
trast with his je,ty hair. At the first
pressure Of her lips shudder ran through
all his frame, then with motion Of re-
pulsion he murmured,
"Do not touch me Helen. Indeed
have loved you, and feal love you
STILL
No wonder the wife started back as if
stung with sudden pain and pressed her
hand tightly on her heart. Helen +! she
had never heard her husband speak that
name before. Could it be that thoughts
Of another than herself filled the mind Of
her husband. Could it be that he had
loved, aud still loved another' She went
out and sat down to weep i'll the anguish
of her soul.
When a, last the fountain Of her tears
seemed drained, when she had sobbed
herself like gr;cved child, inie quiet
ness, when she ,iad strixcn with every
Argument her loving heart could bring, TO
prove the falsehood Of her suspicious, and
the hours had crept slowly cn till long
past midnight she crept to his side hoping
for sleep and forget(ulness of her first sor-
row.
Again he was disturbed and again tina.
name,
Helen Helen will you not leave
me? ?"
Alas for poor Eliza, there was for her
that night, but tears and sleeplcss pill
low.
James Harrington arose late the follow
ing morning. Eliza had already prepared
his break fast. She looked very pale, but
was so calm and quiet that he, busted with
his perturbed thoughts, did not observe it.
According to custom he left his home for
the day as soon as the morning meal was
over.
Eliza busted herself through the day
with her usual pursuits, her small house
hold affairs and the care Of her child, but
all was done mechanically without heart,
or interest. ts-5z
AT night The little room as usual looked
clean, and bright, and quiet. The tea Ia
bic the cradle, the wife and the baby
were all in their places--the kettle singing
its own merry song. Again she waited
and the clock told seven before James re.
turned.
To night he was moody, but Eliza
warned by the previous nights experience
did not remark upon his delay. He reao
few pages aloud ana then again soush
his pillow.
Again the poor wife heard that namt
and again she passed sleepless, teariu
might.
! Again silent hasty breakfast was eaten
and the wife was alone. The day passet
like all other days, but the little table wa
prepared earlier, the lamp lighted ant
all things IN their accustomed order, ant
then, before the clock struck six, Elizi
put OH her own bonnet and shawl ant
wrapping the sleeping child warmly, sh'
locked her door and went cut into thu
twilight street.
1t WAS cold winter twilight and th'
snow and ice lay thick upon the pavement
The wind came, loaded with cliillness
from off the surface OF the broad storm
ocean, and pierced her delicate frame
But she needed it not, only elaspins he
baby closer TO her breast and hur.ying OF
in the direction from which her hnsban,
must come.
She had nearly reached the place, when
by the glare Of the now-lighted stree
lamps, she saw him approaching her. A
that moment woman, who had been stand
ing upon corner as il waiting for som
person, stepped forward and spoke to him
Eliza could not see her face, but she no
ticed that she too held an nfant in he
arms.
The woman said some words which Eli
"a did not hear, and then her husband ex
claimed, angriy,
"Helen are you here again. Have
not told You did not wansto be thus an
noyed p
Eliza stepped TO the place the woman