Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-09-16

day between crying and sleeping, and onl,
thought of my book with'disgust and loath
ing.
Next morning brought me cordial,
few kind lines from Kenem, written the
night before, from the resting-place, whici
was halfway towards his journeys end.
i Having further stimulated my courage By
re-perusing my friends note. which told
me of the favorable arrangements she hopet
to make for the publication of my book,
set to work.
The misery of my heroine was approach
irg its climax; was one with her, shaker
by her fears torn by her passions, transport
ed by her hope.
HighIy-wrought excitement kept me up
While Kenelm was away, did not 60 be-
yond the garden;I could not eat, and
hardly slept.
-Qna night had has-a hnn go TO bet
long before, and there was no sound or stil
in the silent house-my self-possession, my
senses OF my own identity, altogether failed
me.
crouched upon the bare floor in the bare
room. struggled to separate myself from
the woes into which ] had plunged "the
wife" Of my imagination. | could not
intense emotion overpowered me. Sick with
anguish, cried out, Husband husband
Good God. this is more than can bear"
covered nv lace; that cry had startled
me back 10 myself, and great terror came
over me; had always been timid of night
and darkness.
As | continued to crouch there, covering
my face it seemed to me, that something
stirred in the room, that chill breath famed
my neck and arms. raised my head, seek
ing light.
My candle had burned out; / was alone
in stirring darkness-the thick darkness of
close shuttered room. l straiDe ed my eyes
into the darkness; seemed chained 10 the
spot.
Suddenly nv excited fancy made my hus-
band present to me, standing in the middle
of the room, regarding me. He was pale;-
his expression was reproachful, his form
spectral.
| spread out my arms towards him; my
senses filled me, my last consciousness
being of a blow and flash of pain.
Daylight was streaming through all
cracks and crevices when | recovered. I
found myself lying with my face upon the
flo r. sat up with difficulty, and turned
sick and dizzy when saw pool of blood
close to where my face had lain. By-and-by
| managed TO get to my bedroom, and, after
small but deep wound ON my temple. | had
fallen against sharp, iron-bound corner of
the box had used as desk.
did not distinctly recall what had fright
eneC me- | felt terribly weak, and lay on
my bed quite still for several hours. Taen
rang add ordered Ann to bring me some
coffee into mysroom. My winaow was dark
ened & she seemed 10 notice nothing partic-
u ar in MY appearance. told her was noi
very well, and did not wish to be disturbed.
The hot, strong coffee reVi, ed me won
derfully, anu my thoughts returned to my
all but finished work.
NV book was not to be tragedy; il was
to end quietly, and peacefully, perfectly, as
a beautiful summer day. laughed softly
over the happiness of this summery ending
and the tears rained from my eyes. sat
close to the open window on that lovely
day, in deIcious!y subdued and sympa-
thetic mood, and wrote my blissful conclu-
ding chapters.
With one ortcf interruption only | con-
tinued to write till late in The afternoon-I
no longer wrote with haste and passion,
but as | remember. With quiet sense of
perfect power.
had finished I said "tbank God"
Ny heroine was happy now, and my
heart craved like happiness clamorously VI
Make haste and come home, Kenelm." |
cried.
went down stairs to hunt for string,
wax, and stamps; my book must be
sent off.
On my workable lay letter from my
husband. How long had it lain there un-
opened! pressed it to my lips and to my
bosom before read il.
1t said he would be home this evening"
What happiness! This evening at seven,
it said; what time could it be nowl
Even as l wondered our clsck struck
seven.
There stood in my loose, tumbled white
dressing-gown my hair wildly disordered,
my hands stained with ink, and my cheeks
with tears. could not move; it was like
a dreadful nightmare dream.
Ny head began to ache maddeningly. II
thought how none Of my intended prepara-
tons for Kenelm's return were made; end
Twas | fit to meet himl | pressed my
hand upon my brow; unwiItingy I dis
placed the plaster upon my wound, from
which the blood began again to trickle.
| would have given years of life to recall
one hour then.
heard the garden gate. saw Kenelm
come up the path, ard still could not move.
The room door opened and admitted my
husband.
He paused in sad amazement.
His face was like the face had seen in
my vision. which now wildly returned to
me. tried to believe this was a vision too.
His form seemed to waver and flicker, and
a black gulf opened at my feet.
Both nv husband and Ann were stand
ing over me when regained consciousness;
when raised myself on the couch, Ann
disappeared.
81 am so sorry $50 grieved," began, q"
did not expect ycu yet. had only just read
your letter, and"
"Do not talk now-rest, love. Was this
Just done1"