The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-09-23

vssZ 100 srssrss and said many tender words.
ss.s h. ioot ed sery SD and conid not bear TO
meet hts inquiring gsss .,,. s,nasr,,s cs..ion
stsis vowed never again to have a. secret from
Kenelm.
Nv husbend made me 70 to bed early. He read
10 me sili he thought I was iasieep; then I knew
that he prayed by me before be went Away. How
I ioured to clasp him round the neck and tsll him
ali my secret, but vas afraid and ashamed.
When had heard him 90 down Stair and shut
the parior-dcor behind him, sprang 40. NV
Blueeeard chamber was unlocked; all my papers
secured the key, but - got int the bed
again, II fell from my trembling fingers. IregAin-
ed u. The noise disturbed Kenelm | heard him
coming, and buried my face In my pillow. As 1
clasped the key renewed my fsryent VOWS never
again TO have q secret.
Next day noticed that my husband seemed
very, very sad. His mediation had only avsiled TO
draw more of his fathers anger upon himself-he
had been OF no service to his brother
When We had talked over this and some other
family matters, silence fell felt afraid of what
might come next, for Kenelm's eyes watched me
earnestly.
"Minnie, my wife, 1t is you who want change
now he said presently. You look IN, and You
must be very weak to have been SO mnch disturb
ed a. you were yesterday, merely BY my sudden
arrival: Would you like to 60 home for little
sob. Keneln. 90 much." Ikuov that INV face
kindled brightly; for indeed longed after them
ell, aud thoughtit would be delicious rest TO be
at home with him.
'Poor child! thought you would like IT, 30
you have pined for home, Minniei'
"You shall not say that. This is my home
will not go to my fathers II you say such things"
.'WeiE well! do not believe Ireproach you, dar.
ling; We will part in peace"
part"
Il think it will be al we'll that Won sbon,a oo
soon; for few weeks must work very hard, and
shall be even duiler mpany than ever"
do you think will go home, alones Oh, Ken.
elm what does 1t mean!"
THAT 10 what cannot tell" he said. sBut I
know that you are neither well nor happy; know
that our poverty has pressed its privations upon
you. know that you pine in your dull life here-s
"Wbat more do you know" asked deaantIy.
He answered with mild, even-toued voice but
absolutely hurting me by the urgent pressure of
bis gaze, II know that ia some sad way-by my
| own fault, it may be have lost my wife's conf
dence: also know that this is not one Of the
things l will learn to do without"
'What more, sir?' demanded hotIy
"fhis IL all. When you at home, Minnie and
| an alone again for little while, We may each
be able to ind ont in what, and how far. we have
! erred, aud then be athletic begin our married life
afresh."
lie spoke as If such serious danger impended az
If such utter ruin threatened our peace that
shuddered; but be spoke too, if he forgot all the
happy, happy months when had been a devoted
| and contented wife, aud only remembered the last
y
WAS exaggerating everything!
II will not go home unless you command me.
| and am your wife, whom you have no right to
send away; you are cruel aud uni ast,n
IAN so? We are not talking Of rights / was
panning for your happiness; but indeed work
| in the dark. do not see why you should call me
| cruel aud unjust. Again repeat, do not stoop
| to suspect You of wrong; your having a secre,
| from me. and the obstnacy with which you keep
| 1t, Is my only ground of displeasure. 1t may be
that my own character is alone to blame that
am too stern; but have hoped that my wife loved
| me too we'll to fear me-"
| ..She doesi Oh, Kenelm, she does!' sprarg
| after him as he turned sadly away. But then my
| looks belied my words: the key of the Biue-beard
| chamber fell from my dress, and l stopped, the
| picture of guilty confusion.
lie picked up. "This is not the first time you
| have let it fall" he said, as he gave il to me.
| Then he knew that my last nights sleep had
| been feigned. 1t hardened my heart to think how
| decetful he must believe TO be. and to remem-
Der the innocent, holy motive of this long conceal
| ment.
| Ksuelm went to his study, as imagined,
| shutting himself in there for the morning
| :elt utterly reckless. Unknown to myself,
| desire for revenge was beginning to mingle With
the other motives that determined me to persevere
| to the end. thought that the lower now sank
| in my husbands esteem the higher should ] rise
| byaud by when be knew all, when my hour OF
| triumph came.
Once more locked myself rto the empty room.
| I packed up my manuscript, addressed it to my
friend, and wrote a note to accompany 1t, passion
ateiy entreatiug her to let me hear soOn-to do
| everything quickly Then put on my bonnet and
shawl, hid my precious roll under my arm, and
| set OFF for the post office.
| As walked hurriedly along beneath the lines in
| our lane, and then through suburban streets, my
thoughts were quite engrossed in planning for the
disposal of the fairy fortune my book was to bring
| me. Suddenly swerved aside and turned cor
ner; in another moment / should have met
| my husband, whom had believed to be safe at
home. Had he seen me! l thought not. L had
disappeared efore the abstrac: ion OF his look had
cleared to recognition.
l made little circuits, somplished my pur-
pose; and turned homewards.
| My heart sank when saw my husband pacing
| up and down beneath the lines. He had seen me-
| then, aud was now waiting for me. The liues wei
| 10 full blossoms; their scent now always take me
| back to that afternoon.
When met Kenelm's eyes, and noted the pinch
| ed expression which repressed excitement had
given to lip and nostrii, brace6 myself for NV
last and worst ordeal.
lie did not speak. lie locked my hand under
his arm, taking me into custody. He leo me into
| the house. seated me in chair in his study then
released my hand, and stood opposite to me.
noticed that the hand be leant upon the table
| quiyered. WAS sorry; feared he would do him
| self hat'n: but when l raised my eyes to his, his
air of Judicial sternness had strange effect upon
| nay nerves. laughed uncontrollably. just think
| ho~ that laugh must have broken upon his highly
wrought excitement and grievous distress!
| fancy that any man less noble than my hus-
band would have struck There was ntense
| pain and anger in his eyes-still laughed my in
| suiting, unnatural laugh. He left me- chose to
| believe that he had locked the door; would not
| 70 to ascertain L ceased laughing, and grew very
| indignant. l, keneims wife, to be treated like
naughty child! Very bitterly would he repent his
| ujusticel Then, as loved him, my heart grew
| tender at the thought of the pain be would feel
| when my hour of triumph came. For the first
time doubted of the possibility of this triumph
| -. "a l..
threw my self on the ground, rested my head
on Kenelm's foOtstOol and cried myself to sleep.
suppose was thoroughly worn out / must have
slept many hours. 1t was dusk when the opening
OF the hall door and my husbands steps 10 the
passage reused me. heard him enter every room
in the house before he came into the study; this
and my not detecting the sound of the turning of
| key, staggered me in my belief that had been
locked in; but would not think that had been
| 4 voluntary prisoner all this while.
My husband could not see me when entered.
He peered about then FASTENED to the open win
dow. Good God She has jumped out" he cried
II am here, Kenelm!" / said raising.
'You have been here all the time have been
awayi"
II believe fell asleep"
"rea is waiting in the parlor-will you make
it,"
followed him. noticed upon how hsgea-d
face the lamp shone; but his manner was cold and
repressed tenderness. lie broke painful silence
by saying:
MARY have made arrangements for your
going home to. morrow.
An angry refusal to go rose to my lips l re-
pressed 1t, and said nothing
Your eldest sister passes through London on
her way home from Kent to morrow / shall. take
you to the station to meet her. / have written to
her and 10 your father. Your health requires
change of air"
1T Is well you should let me know on what. plea
you send me away"
"fne scene of this afternoon taught nae that we
cannot iive together. feeling a. we do now towards
my vile as l lid when you laughed but now. ia
your abseEc'. L will earnestly strive to discover
where have been wrong in my conduct as q hus
band"
hardly Needed his words; my foot was beating
the floor restlessiy. Unanswered: