Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-05-01
NJ ISC L L L 4 y Y.
THE SECOND WIFE;
OR, TIE TRIALS OF A srEpMorIlER.

was married. The final VOWS had been
spoken. and was no longer Agnes Park but
Agnes Fleming. was the wife of a widowcr
of thirty eight, and the step-mother of three
children. Not the first chosen, first bride of a
Young, ardent lover such as my girlish dreams
had pictured but only second wife.
The reelection was not sweet nevertheless ii
was the thought with which took my seat in
the carriage which was to convey me to my new
home. The short wedding-tour was ended, and
we were homeward bound" \ long ride was
still before us. for the village in which Captain
Fleming resided was twenty miles from the
nearest railway station but he had ordered his
own carriage to meet us there, and thus | be-
gan fully to realize that we were nearing home.
The road over which we journeyed was level
and smooth, and for long time wound close by
the bank OF a beautiful river Fields lay on one
side, stretching far away, until they We're skirt
ed 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, snIooth"h Icy
the sweet influences of the summer landscape,
and visions of future usefulness began already
to float through my brain. | had ample oppor-
tunity to indulge in these day-dreams, for Cap
tain Fleming, tired with the long ride, was halt
asleep by the side of his new wife was wea-
nv of taking the lead in conversation, and re-
solved to leave him to his mcditations, as he
had left me to mine. After weaving for myself
Il very profitable future, looked for short
time upon the past.
Oh, that past Mine had been no gay and
pampcrng girhood; but, looking back, l saw
on the contrary, years OF loneliness, OF weari-
ness. and Of sorrow. For four wears | had
watched Young, beautiful, and gifted brother,
as stricken with consumption he hi wasted
gradually 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 coffin, and
| all my love and hope were long buried with him.
Not that became sad and misanthropic. No
life and duty were not dead, and looking for
ward saw that there was yet much Tor me to
do, perhaps suffers So planted swect-brier and
/ ,iolct> on my brothers grave, amt then went
out to act and strive with tho rest Uf the stry-
ing world.
about year after my brothers death, | met
Arthur Fleming. | had been SO shut out from
the world by my brothers slckness, that had
no lovers, and very few friends, and l hardly
believed | could ever again feel an interest iii
any one (: but Arthur flemings kind, genial
manner and delicate attentions warmed my
heart to a new life. Unconsciously, my whole
heart, all the more ardent for its long stiffness,
was given to this new friend. 1t was with bit
ter disappointment that learned he had already
been once married for | could not bear the
thought of rival, living or dead yet | loved
him. and when he asked me to become moth
er to his mothcress children, ] accepted his
hand, feeling sure that should win from him,
in time, an affection as deep and steadtast as
my own. | knew he did not marry me for love.
His house was lonely, his children were poorly
protected, and he needed a wife. ! had been
recommended to him us one who would keep
his house in order, and be suitable companion
iov his children after brief acquaintance he
proposed in due form, and soon it was all set
tied.
almost home !" exclaimed Captain Fleming
rousing himself to look out of the carriage win
dow. The words sent u thrill through me, ant
looked eagerly out, through the twilight shad
ows, to the house We were approaching. /
. was large and stood at distance from the vii
lage street, and it seemed to me in rather des
olate situation. Great trees swungthe branches
over the gateway, and as we rode between then
the wind made signing sound among th'
leaves. But the lighted lower windows shont
chcerfully in the darkness, seeming by thci
brightness to welcome me home.
Jane Fleming, my husbands sister, who hat
4 been his housckceper since his wifes death
came to the door to meet us. The moment he
cOlu HnpcTS lOuclcu Hlllti itl 'i'e 'ilSi
would be no sympathy between us; and whcl
: we had entered the lighted porlor, and ha'
scrutinized her face, was sure of it. Withou
word she stood beside me while took off m
' bonnet and glovcs-she carried them away
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 AM
- embraced him afiectionately, :nd as he caressc
them in return, | perceived that there was
- fountain of warmth in his heart, which could
- reach it, would be enough to shield me fror
,s cold and darkness forever. This show of pas
sionate fondness made me glad, and, going t
his side, tried to win the notice of the chidre
TO myself
1t is your new mother" said their fathel
!" 4" She has come to take care of you when | al
ID gone to sea again. Julia and Mary, so to you
a, mother"
D. Mary, pretty blue-eyed child of ten, cam
shyly towards me, and kissed my check br
Julia, the eldest, merely gave me her hanc
Julia seemed to have imbibed something of ht
IN amt, ic,, manner for she sat aloof and Watche