Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-20


blded began again to trickie.
b would have given years of life to recall
one hour then.
heard the garden gate. saw Kenelm
come up the path, and still l 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. l
tried to believe this vision too. His
form seemed to waver and flicker, and black
gulf opened at my feet.
Both my husband and Ann were standing
over me when | regained consciousness; when
l raised myself on the couch, Ann disap-
peared.
Il am so sorry-so grieved," began, Il
did not expect Won yet. / had only justread
yOur letter, and''-
DO not talk now-rest love. Was this
just done?''
.'No; struck my head last night, and"-
. My poor wounded darling!''
had no need TO make excuses. He cared
for me to- night instead of l for him: yet he
looked very travel-worn and i'll. lie dressed
my wound with tender fingers, and said
many tender words. But he looked very
sad, and | could not bear to meet his inquir-
ing gaze. | closed my eyes and felt myself a
wretched little hypocrite. / passionately
vowed never again to have a secret from
Kenelm.
My husband made me 90 to bed early. He
read to me till he thought / was asleep; then
knew that be prayed by me before he went
away. How | longed to clasp him round the
neck and tell him all my secret, but l was
afraid and ashamed.
When'I had heard him go down stairs and
shut the parlor-door behind him. sprang up.
My Blue-beard chamber was unlocked; all
my papers lay about the floor!
/ secured the key, but as | got into bed
again, it fell from my trembling fingers. re-
gained it, The noise disturbed Kenelm.
heard him coming, and buried my face in my
pillow. As | clasped the key | renewed my
fervent vows never again to have a secret.
Next day | noticed that my husband seemed
very, very sad. His mediation had only
availed 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. l felt
afraid of what might come next, for Kenelm's
eyes watched me earnestly.
Minnie, my wife, it is you who want
change now" he said presently. "You look
ill, and you must be very weak to have been
so much disturbed as you were yesterday,
merely by my sudden arrival. Would you
like to go home for a little while?"
"Oh. Kenelm! so much!' | know that my
face kindled brightly; for indeed [ longed
after them all, and thought it would be a
delicious rest to be at home with him.
Poor child | thought you would like it.
So You have pinned for home. Minne?''
.'Yot shall not say that. This is my home.
/ will not 90 to my fathers if you say such
things
well! well do not believe 1 reproach
you darling; we will part in peace"
..Part?''
Il think it will be as well that you should
go soon: for few weeks l must work very
hard and shall be even duller company than
ever"
do you think will go home alone? Oh,
Kenelm! what does this mean?'
That is what cannot tell, - he said. But
l know that you are neither well nor happy;
l know that our poverty has pressed its
privatiOns upon you; know that you pine
in your duh life here"
What more do you know?' | asked def
antly.
He answered with mild. even-toned voice,
but absolutely hurting ME 10y the urgent
pressure of his gaze, Il know that in some
sad way-hy my own fault, it may be, /
have lost my wife's confidence; | also know
that this is not one of the things ] will learn
to do without"
.'What more. sir?'' demanded holly.
This is all. When you are at home
Minnie, and | am alone again for little
while. we may each be able to find out in
what. and how far, we have erred and then
be able to begin our married life aiFesh.'
He spoke as if such serious danger impend-
ed, as if such utter ruin threatened our
peace, that | shuddered; hut he spoke too, as
if he forgot all. the happy, happy months
when | had been a devoted and cOntented
wife, aud only remembered the last few
weeks-this made me angry; it was unjust =
he 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 and UNJUST"
'An | so? We are not talking of rights; L
was planning for your happiness; but indeed
| work in tho dark. ! do not see why you
should call me cruel and unjust. Again re-
peat, | do not stoOp to suspect you of wrong;
your having secret from me, and the
obstinacy with which you keep it, is my only
ground of displeasure. 1t may be that my
own character is alone to blame; that l am
too stern; but | have hoped that my wife
loved me too well to fear me-"
"She does! Oh Kenelm, she doesi'' sprang
after him as he turned sadly away. But then
my looks belicd my words; the key of the
Blue-beard chamber fell from my dress, and
stopped, the picture of guilty confusion.
He picked it up. This is not the first
time you have let it fall" he said, as he gave
it to me.
Then he knew that my last nights sleep
had been feigned. 1t hardened my heart to
think how deceitful be must believe me to be,
and to remember the innocent, holy motive
of allthis long concealment.
Kenelm went TO his study, as | imagined,
shutting himself in there for the morning.
felt utterly reckless. Unknown to N.Y.
self, desire tor revenge was beginning TO
mingle with the other motives that determn-
ed me to persevere TO the end. / thought
/ that the lower now sank in my husbands
esteem the higher should I rise by-and-by
when ne knew all, when my hour of triumph
came.
Once more | locked myself into the empty
room. | packed up my manuscript, address,
ed it TO my friend, and wrote note to
accompany il, pasSionatcly entreating 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 get OFF for
the post-office.
As walked hurriedly along beneath the
lines in our lane, aud 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 a sharp corner; in
another moment | should have met my hus-
band. whom | had believed to be safe at
home.-Had he seen meg i thought not.
had disappeared before the abstraction of his
look had cleared to recognition.
| made little circuit-accompiished my
purpose; aud turned homewards.
My heart sank when | SAW my husband
pacing up and down beneath the lines. He
had seen me, then, and was now waiting for
me. The lines were in fIhl blossoms: their
scent now always takes me back To that after
noon.
When / met Kenelms eyes. and noted the
pinched expression which rrpressed excite
ment had given to lip and nostril. l braced
myself for my last aud worst ordeal.
He did not speak. lie locked my hand
under his arm, taking me into custody He