The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-04-14
was more active ard powerful in BODY.

Hy husband was very kind to her. He
paid her great attention; and sometimes I
half perceived that he ted her almost better
than he liked me-he used to look At her 50
often; but with strange expression in his
eyes never could quite make it out whether
1t was love or hate. Certainly after she came
his manner changed towards me- was not
Jealous. did not suspect this change from
any small feeling of wounded selflove. or
from any envy Of my sister but I saw it
telt 1t IN my heart-vet without connecting
It with Ellen in any wav knew he no long
or loved me as he used to do. but did not
thirk he loved her: at least not with the
same kind Of love. used to be surprised at
E'lens conduct to him. She was more cold
she was passionately rude and unkind: not 81
much when was there as when I was away.
For ] used to hear her voice speaking in those
deep indignant tones that are worse to hear
than the harshcst scream Of passion: and
sometimes | used TO hear hard word<-hr
speaking at first soft and plcadinclv. often
TO end in terrible burst of anger and impre-
cation. could not understand WHY they
quarrcllcd. There was mystery between
them ! did not know Of: and did not like tc
ask then. for ! was afraid of them both-ss
afraid of Lien as my husband and | felt
like a reed between thcm-as il | should have
been crushed beneath any storm | mich,
chance to wake up SO. was silent suffer
ing alone, and bearing cheerful face 50 far
as could
Ellen wanted me to return home with her.
Soon after she came. and soon after | heard
the first dispute between them, she urrcd me
to 90 back to Hurst Farm at once. and for \
long time. Weak as am hv nature, il has
always been marvel to me since. how stronc
] was where my love for nv husband was
concerned. 1t seemed impossible for me 70
yield to any pressure against him believe
now that very angel could not have turned
me fro" him
A. last sj. SAID TO mo in low voice: Ma
rv ,l;s : m,dress It is almost sinful -
Can Won not see-can vnu - "'"' -\''''
then sh" stopped, and wonld s'v "' more
though | urged her to tell me what she ."e"hf.
For this terrible mystery began to weigh on
me painfully. and. for all that tremhled so
much TO fathom it, had begun to fee! that a.
nv truth would be better than S,ch life of
dread seemed to be living among shad-
ow>: nv very husband and sister not real
.or their real lives were hidden from me-
Butt was too tmid to insist on an exclamation
and 50 things went on in their old way.
In one respect only. changing still more
painfully still more marked'y:n nv hrsh,nd'~
conduct to me- lie was ike another creature
altogether 10 me now he was so altered. He
seldom spoke to me at all. and he never
spoke kindly All that did annoved him.aI
that said irritatcd him: and once CHE little
widow covered her face with her hands Shul
derinc) he S1urned me with his foot and ours
cd me. one night in our own room. when |
knclt weeping before him. suppicafinC him
for pity'> sake to tell ne how had offended
him But said to myself that he was tired.
annoveG. and that it was irritating to see a
loving woman'> tears; and so excused him.
as oftcntimcs before. and went cn loving him
all the samc-Gotl forgive me for nv idoiatrv'
Things had been very bad of late between
Ellen and NV husband But the character
Of their discord was changed Instead of re-
proachnc they watched each other inccssant-
lv They put me in mind of fcncers-my
husband on the defensive
"Marv," said nv sister TO me suddenly. com
inc to the sofa where was sitting cmbroiAcr-
inc my poor haby'> cap. "What does your
Harry do in life: Wla: is his profession -
She fixed her eyes upon me earnestly.
lido not krow darling" answered. vague
~. "lle has no profession that know Of"
But what fortune has he then Did he
not tell YOU what his income was, and how
obtained, when he married To us. he said
only that he had 81 much a vear-a thousand
year: and he would say no more. But has
! he not been more explicit with YOU"
t ono" answered. considering: orindeed
had never thought of this had trusted
t so blndly to HIM in everything, that it would
: have seemed to inc profound insult to have
even asked of his affairs. mo, he never told
, me anything about his fortune, Ellen. lie
gives me money when want it, and is always
, generous. lie seems to have plenty; when
ever it is ask I'd for, he has it by him, and
gives me even more than require
Still her eyes kept looking at me in that
strange manner. "And this is all YOU know
"Ycs-all. What more should wish to
know: Is he not the husband, and has he
not absolute right over everything have
no business to Interfere" The words sound
harsher now than they did then, for ! spoke
lovingly.
Ellen touched the little cap held. Does
not this make you anxious" she said. Can
YOU not fear as mother, even while you love
as wife :"
Fear, darling! Why? What should l
fear, or whom. What is there, Lllen, ON your
heart then added passionateIy. Tell
me at once for know you have some terri
bic secret concealed from me: and | would
rather know an. thing-whatcver it may be
than live on. longer in this kind of SUSPENSE