The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-18
THE SECOND WIFE.
CHAPTER l.

i
spoken. and was no longer Agnes Park bu,
Agnss Fleming. was the wife of widow.
er of thirty-eight, and the stepmother of
three children Not the first chosen, first
beloved bride of young and ardent lover
such as my eirlsh dreams had pictured. on
ly second wife.
The reflection was not sweet; neverthe-
less it was the thought with which took my
seat in the carriage which was to convey me
to nv new home The short wedding tour
was ended, and we were homeward bound.
A long ride was still before US, for the village
in which Captain Fleming resided was TWEEN
tv miles from the last railway station; but he
had choSed his own carriage TO meet us there
so begun fully to reali:. ~ We were near.
ing home.
The road over which we journeyed was lev
el and smooth. and, for long time. as
close by the bank of broad river. Fields
lay on one side. stretching far away, until
they were skirted bv low woods and hills
here and there white farm house stood,
looking cheerful and almost gay in the after
noon sunshine. The whole prospect was ru-
ral and very beautiful.
My gloom began to pass away, soo'hed by
the sweet influence of the Summer land
>capp, and visions of future usefulness began
already to float through my brain. had
ample opportunity to indulge in these day
dreams. for Captain Fleming. tired with the
long ride, was halt asleep by the side of his
new wife. was weary of taking the lead
I,l
to his mr2itatons. as he had lrtt me to mine.
After weaving tor myself a Very profitable
future, looked. for little. upon the past.
Oh that past, Mine had been no gay and
pamprring childhood, but LOOKING back, saw,
on the contrary, Years Of lon'!nrsS. of wear
mess, and of sorrow. For four wears mad
watched Young. beautiful snl gifted broth
er, as, stricken with consumption, he had
wasted gradually away. We two were or
phan>, the last of our race, AID all in all to
each other.
Bur at last, saw him lail in the coffin
and all NV love ant! hope were long buried
with him. Not that became sad and mis-
anthropir. No: itt and iutY were not dead
and looking forward saw Il At there wa, Vet
ed sweet hrrr and ,loic'> or llArrv'S grave.
and teen Went out 10 act anC strive with the
rest Of the >trivin. world.
About wear after NV brothers death,
met Arthur Fleming. hal been so shut
ont from The world bv IlarryS sicknes. that
had no lovers, and very tew friends. and
hardly believed could ever again feel an in
I,,t trth L.
kind. GENIAL manner AID delicate attentions
warmed my heart to a new lite. Unron-
seriously. my whole heart. s the more ardent
tor It's long stiffness. VA, given to this new
friend. 1t WAS with bitter di>ipi ointment
that learned he had already been once mar
rl"d, tnr ] coni'l not bear tie ,hou,h' of a RI
val. living or dead: vet | loved him, and
when he asked M. TO beccnac a mother to his
mothcrlr>s children. accepted his hand, feel
inG sure that | would win from him in ti,ns
an ailrriioH as deep and >.caitast as nv
owa. HIS house was lonely. his children
poorly protected. and he needed wife. |
had been recommended to him As one who
would keep his house in order. and be snit-
able companion for his children: after brief
acquaintance. liz hal proposed in due form
Almost home '. exclaimed Captain Flem-
ing, arou>ing himself to look on: Of the car
ria!e window The words sent a thrill
through me and looked eagerly out.throu.h
the twilight shadows. to the house we were
approaching. 1t was larre and stood at a
distance from the village street. and it seem
ed TO me in rather a d">oIatr >itua'ion Great
trees swung their branches over the gateway,
and. As we rode between them, the wind
made 81 i.hiny sound among The leaves. Rnt
the lighted lower windows shone chrcr.ullv
IN the "arknr>S. srrmIn. 10y their brightness
10 welcome me home.
Jane Fleming, nv husbands sister, who
had been housekeeping since his wite's death
came to the door to meet us. The moment
her cold !lncrr> touched mine. felt that there
would toe no sympathy between us: and when
we had entered the lighted parlor, and had
s"ru'lnizrd her tare.l was sure of it, Wihou,
word sh" stood beside me. while took off
my bonnet and gloves. she carried them a.
way. then AS silently walked into the room
again, leading the three children. feel now
the chill OF her presence upon me.
The three ran into their fathers arms. and
embraced him atlscionarelv, and, a. he ca
rcssed them in return. perceived that ,her,
was fountain OF warmth In his heart, which
could reach 1t, woull be enough to .hiel,
me from cold and darkness forever. Thi
show OF passionate ton,inesS made me glad
and, gong to his side, tried to win the no
tlce Of the children to myself.
1t Is Your new mother" said he. Sh,
has come to take care of you when am gon,
to sea again. Ellen and May go to you
mother"
May, pretty blue-eyed child of ten, cam,
shyIy toward me. and kissed INV check; Blu
Ellen. the eldest, merely gave me her hand
Ellen seemed to have imbibrd s0methinpo he,
anntS icy manner. tor she sat aIoof and watch
Ell me roldly. The little boy now lifting hi
head from his fathers shoulder, and, serin,
that May stood by me un1armed, venture,
to approach me.
g Come to me, Harry" said Miss Fleming
with frown.
Was his name Harry? caught him t,
my arms and held him closely, so that h,
could not escape to hi, jealous aunt; and
thought, In my secret heart, that | woul,
make him like the Harry had lost
In an instant, the feeling that was strano
er had vanished, my heart had warmed st
toward the little one whose auburn head nest
led IN my arms. My husband looked pleased
and smiled, giving his sister gratified look
and | observed the shadow of a smile on he,
i'ps' but it faded again as she glanced at FL
len. When the clock struck nine, Mis-. Jane
rose and led the children to their chamber.
! babe them good night as they went out, bu
noticed that Ellen made no answer.
lhe next morning made a business of
gong over the house, and examining ito con
venlences. The first step upon the broad
gloomy staircase chilled me : but when ,fie,
visiting every room, | sat down in the parlor
again, l was almost discouraged. Such a
dreary' d'sordered house never saw. In
every chamber the curtain. huno over the