Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-08-19
G5oite Mistellanpg.
THE SECOND WIFE
CHAPTER I.

was married.. Inc inal VOWS nat
been spoken, and l was no longer Agne
Park, but Agnes Fleming. I was tn,
wife of widower of thirty eight. anC
the step-mother of three small children
Not the first chosen, first beloved bride
Of a young and ardent lover, such a!
my girlish dreams had pictured! only a
second wifel
The reflection was not sweet; never.
theless, it was the thought with which ]
took my seat in the carriage which wa:
to convey me to my 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 resides was twen
ty miles FROM the last railroad station;
but he had caused his own carriage to
meet us there, SO l begun fully to realize
that We were nearing home.
The road over which We journeyed
was level and smooth, and, for a long
time wound close to the bank of large
river. Fields lay on one side, stretching
far away, until they were skirted by low
woods and hills; here and there white
farmhouse stood; looking cheerful and
almost gay in The afternoon sunshine
The whole prospect was rural and very
beautiful.
My gloom began to pass away, sooth-
ed by the sweet influences of the Sum
mer landscape, the visions of future use
fulness began already to float through
my brain. 1 had ample opportunity TO
indulge in these day dreams; for Cap
tain Fleming, tired with long ride, was
half asleep by the side of his new wife.
| was weary of taking the lead in con-
versation, and concluded TO leave him to
his meditations, as he had left me 10
mine. After weaving for myself very
profitable future, l looked, for a little,
upon the past.
Oh, thai past! Mine had been no gay
and pampered childhood; but looking
back, saw, on the contrary, years of
loneliness, of WEAKNESS, and Of sorrow
For four years had watched young,
beautiful and gifted brother, as, stricken
with consumption. he had wasted grad
ually away. We two were orphans, the
last of our race, and all in all to each
other.
But, at last, | saw him laid in the cof-
fin, and all my love and hope were long
buried with him. Not that / became
sad and misanthropic. No; life and duty
we're net dead; and. looking forward, 1
saw that there was yet much for me to
do, perhaps suffer; SO planted sweet
brier and violets on Harry's grave, and
then went out to act and strive with The
resi- of the striving world.
About year after my brothers. death
l met Arthur Fleming. had been SO
shut out from the world by Harry's sick
ness that l had no lovers, and very few
friends, and hardly believed could
ever feel an interest in any one; but Ar.
thur Fleming's kind, genial manner and
delicate attentions warmed my heart to
a new life. Unconscionsly, my whole
heart, all the more ardent for its long
Stiffness, was given to this new friend.
1t was with bitter disappointment that 1
learned he had already been married, for
/ could Lot bear the thought of a rival
living or dead; yet loved him, and
when he asked me to become a mother
to his motherless children, l accepted
his hand, feeling sure that would win
from him, in time, an affection as deep
and as steadfast as my own. His house
was lonely, his children poorly protec-
ted, and he needed wife; l had been
recommended to him as one who would
keep his house in order, and be a suit
able companion for his children; after
brief acquaintance he had proposed in
due form.
"Almost home!" exclaimed Captain
Fleming, rousing himself to look out of
the carriage window. The words sent a
thrill through me and l looked eagerly
out, through the twilight shadows, to
the house we were approaching. 1t was
large, and stood at distance from the
village street, and it seems TO me in
rather desolate situation. Great trees
swung their branches over the gateway
and, as we rode between them. the wind
made signing sound among the leaves.
But The lighter tower windows shone
cheerfuIly in the darkness, seeming by
their brightness TO welcome me home.
Jane Fleming, my husbands sister.
who had been his house keeper since
his wife's death, came to the door &c
meet us. The moment her cold fingers
touched mine, felt that there would be
no sympathy between US; and when we
bad entered the lighted parlor. and had
scrutinized her face, / was sure of it,
Without word she stood beside me,
while 1 took off my bonnet and gloves;
she carried them away, theu as silently
walked into the room again, leading the
three children.