Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-09-09
ST. cLAIRsyILLE, OHIO, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER g. 1858

= 60 ~ L. = /A]]A = ~ -
evening. He had not incurred this fatigue
since his illness, and was mol fit fer il.
did not think Of this then; did not offel
to go for him, or beg to GO with him;
thought ioyfully of the long day before me
He left home at ten, to return at seven.
told Ann TO say that was engaged i
any one should call, and ] locked myssl
into the empty chamber. Il uttered a cry
of joy as began my work. had such
delight in it, - s.s- = - a.seas.ss,.s =
Ile:t off to pretend to dine, but had ne
appetite, and soon recommended
Towards the end of the afternoon found
| could go on no longer. My temples burn
ed, and yet 1 felt as if numbed by exces
sive cold. and my head began to ache in
tensey.
Kenelm was late; it was getting dusky
when he came, and J slammed what LITTLE
light there was. He wss tired, and aftel
tea lay upon the couch;-i sat beside him OF
low seat, and rested my aching head OF
his breast.
By-and-by Ann came in with the lamp
and then Kenelm asked me to read to him
Il rose with some difficulty, felt SO weak
and weary. Unwit,ingiy l turned my face
full to the light as opened the new book
he had brought home, and his eyes were
upon me as they generally were, as hat
formerly loved to have them.
"Minnie." he exelaimed-then started
up and came to me. He took my hands
and gazed into my face. This time was
not sorry to feel thick bushes covering my
pallor.
Somewhat peitishly cried, "You startie
me, Kenelm," and lied 10 turn away. He
would not let me.
"You look wretchedly i'll, Minnie. You
have been crying much again-so soon!
What is it that troubles you? My pool
child must tell me,,,'
81 have nothing to tell you-you are fool.
ish--notbing troubles mel" But he con
tinued to gaze at me SO tenderly, 80 sorrow
fully, that could not bear it. To convince
him that nothing was the matter, | burst
into tears and sobbed upon bis bosom, fol
he folded me in his arms. s
| thought that all was over-ihat my
secret would out, or my heart would break;
out he questioned me no more, only sooth-
ed and caressed me.
Next morning Irejoiced that my secret
was still in my keeping. -
When | went down into the parlor
Kenelm held visiting card in his hand, at
which he was looking with surprise.
s'My friend Ashtower here yesterday, and
you did not tell me! You asked him to
come again. -hopei you are well aware
that | have long desired to see him."
Ipaused at the Door with face express
sing blank CONSERVATION. "I-did not
know" faltered.
Yes; j was afraid of Keuelm--hs eyes
perused my face keenly.7 -
"You did not know--it was AIMS fault
then. This is very vexitious." He was
about to ring the bell 49,
"Stay!" | cried; sit was not her fault.
told her~if aDybody came to say was en-.
gagged; OF course she lid not know that
would have seen your freud. Till this mo-
meat did not know be had been here"
"And why, my dear wife, would you see
nobody yesterdayr ..-. .s-
"Don't say my dear wife in that horrid
way. / suppose was. not in the humor fol
com pany, as you had left me alone!" took
refuge in kind Of petuleht nsughtiness
pouted, and made an unnecessary no Sc with
the cups and saucers.
My husband did not speak for some time
Then he said, with a measured mildness thai
| well understood, 81 think, Minnie, thai
you owe me some slight explanation.
trust that your good sense will lead you to
offer me such As am confident that my
wife cannot act in way of which she ha:
need to be ashamed, do not understand he
having any mystery"
| had heard people say that sometimes ny
husband appeared to hide an iron hand be
meath velvet glove. recalled the sayin!
now, and asked myself Indignantly if h,
meant to make me feel the smooth infexi
bility of his character. was angry will
him. =..r --s Z.
offered no word of apology, but remain
ed silent. could not eat; the first mouth
| full seemed like to choke me. This mad
me seem all the more sullen.
No wonder that my noble, high minde
husband looked grieved to the heart at sue
signs of childish peryersity.
When, after breakfast, sought the bar
room, and locked myself in, | tremble
taking home the moral that was evolving
without conscious effort of mine, from tn
story which had called "A Wife's Secret
1 fel; the possibility of my little trouble
deepening and widening terribly. erie
passionate:y, 81 will persevere; but mui
finish soon--l canno: bear this long"
had taken it for granted that Kenell
had work to do; but when had slippe
down stairs, just before dinner-time, | sa
him lying on our little lawn, book besit
him.
"He is angry" thought. "This. is I'll
! first holiday on which he has done wthor
me-" 1888 s-
/, When we met could not be gay or nj
tursl; ] was constrained in manner, and fe
!. weighed upon and weary.
The few days that followed were uncon
!. Portable. Kenelm tried to resume his usu
: demeanor, but something was between u
and was afraid Of him. wrote as mue
as could without risk Of detection, al
e forgot my own griefs during those hours.
told myself that | would not, that
}, could not give up, now that had gone
g far. Whenever felt wavering and de
pondent, pictured to myself my trump