Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-01-21

took her departure, but never thought .
her telling it round"
THAT was certainly very good founda
for better" said Mr.. R,ngton calmly.
What said WAS all perfectly true, Dud
ley but it was really very ridiculous of tn
woman to take me So litcrallv.'
81 am afraid. my dear, that your fun will
give me considerable trouble
d" am very sorry" said Lizzie aud sh
raised her sweet, childish face to his.
As he bent down to imprint kiss on hr
rosy lips, he lclt halt tempted to give up tn,
plan which he had formed for prcventin.
further mischief, but he rtcJllcctcd the man,
times that her love of fun had drawn then
into trouble, and with an effort he rcsolvct
To carry it through.
II shall have to Leave you for few days
my dear
Leave me :" She exclaimed, "for what?
II am obliged to 90 to A. tomorrow NOR.
ming, on business, but will make my stay
as short as possible"
1t was with a heavy heart that Lizzie re-
tired tina; night, She could not bear the
thought of being separated from her hus-
band even for a few days, and her ever active
Imagination conjurcd up all sorts of dreadful
things which might happen to one or the
other before they should meet again. But i.
was necessary for him to 90, und the next
morning stu followed him to the door. and
received his parting kiss. and then returned
to The room t. cry. But her spirits were not
easily depressed for Il long time, and she soon
dried her tears. and busted herself about the
house, thinking all the time how pleasant it
would b. to have him return when the few
days had expired.
Ia the afternoon the bright sun seemed to
invite hcr ont for walk. and she according
ly went. She met ii number of her friends.
but some bowed colby, while others passed
her by with Il scornful look. At one time
She discovered two ladies conycr,ins together,
and looking at her What could it mean /?
Ihrn She caught the words
VERY strange. is it not?'
"les. was the reply; ''hut then they
were - unsuited to each other, that one can
scarcely wonder at it
THAT is true" continued the first; ''hc
is So very grave, and She 50 full Of mischief -"
KS Lizzie walked quietly on, wondering
what they could mean, ami il it was possible
that they referred to her. she lost the remain
der oi the Conversation. Then the words
reached her from annthcr direction
IL Shuulinot think she would like to be seen
out 50 soon
And again--''I think it was her cxtrava-
ganco that drove him of. =
Lizzie returned to her home feeling sick at
hear. and earnestly longing for her husband
to come back t. her. What she had heard
puzzl d her She felt sure that some false re-
port had been circulated. but how she could
not tell. While she was musng on this sub
jcct the door opened and Mrs. A. was
1 q.
who romai kcd in a commiserating tone
"Iou poor little creature, | have come
in on purpose to condole with YOU -
"Ihank you,' said Lizzie. mistaking her
meaning. 81 almost think need coincidence,
being left alone IN this great house with only
the servants
"Ycs,'' continued Mrs. 4. "but You
may be sure that every one will take your
part, for people always do sympathize with
the ladies, You know. ,hlnk he was II per-
feet wretch to leave you, and 50 soon too
Her meaning began to break upon Lizzie's
mind, and she exclaimed almost fiercely, "Of
whom are you spcaking?"
"Mr. Riyington, rrplycd Mrs. A., in
some surprise at Lizzes excited manner. Il
heard that he had quarrclcd with you, and
that was the reason of the separation; and
Knowing that you must feel lonely, hasten
cd To offer my sympathy, trusting that you
would excuse tho intrusion
Oar heroine drew herself up with consider
able dignity, as She replied. ALLOW me to
say that you have been quite mlsinlurmcd
this is the first that | have heard OF any quar-
rel, and the separation was caused by some
business which has called my husband away
for few days
Mrs. A-hastened to apologize. and soon
r. EI,,, II,
tie Sally Brewster. who threw her arms ar
round Lizzic's neck, and exclaimed in tone
of sincere sympathy
"My poor. dear Mrs Rivinston how sor-
row ] do feel for you!
"Why do yoa feel sorry for me, Sally"
asked Lizzie in calm tone.
"Oh. because because-you know why
said Sally, hcsitatingly.
Il know nothing about me to excite sym
pathy, except that have been left alone for
few days. in consequence Of my husband
having been called away on business"
Sally rcplycd in tone of surprise, "Why,
! was informed-that-tha
"That my husband and had quarrcled
and separated" said Lizzie.
lyon have heard of the report, then, and
it is not true -
.Oh, yes, | have heard of it, and have also
been condoled with, but cannot imagine
what gave rise to such an idea
sally did not hurry away as Mrs. A.
had done, and Lizzie found it comfort to
have friend with her. She was obliged to
receive visits of coincidence all the afternoon,
and in the evening her gentleman friends
came ito offer their sympathies," as they
said, but Lizzie thought it was rather to sat
isiy their curiosity, and she wished herself
anywhere than in Il country village. Every
one expressed such de. ? sorrow for her, that
She almost began to think she must be n very
unhappy being, and She became wrought up
to a state Of wrctchcdnoss (; she did not dare
to venture out and at length excused herself
| positively to all visitors.
This state of Affairs continued until the re-
turn OF Mr.. RiNington, which took place
rather sooner than his vile had anticipated
Lizzie ran to meet him, and throwing herself
into his arms, burst into tears
What aIls my pct?' he asked, Il. he
kissed her ailectionately.
"Oh Dudley :" sobbcd Lizzie, - there has
been such a strange report circulated through
out the whole plac,-tlicy said that you and
had quarreled, and that was the reason that
you had gone away and left mo,
quizzical air came over Dudlcy's face a.
he replied
What very strange reports. my dear gain
credcnce How could this have arisen? do
you know
His wife replied
Il have not the slightest idea am sure
it could not have been from amy thing that
have said this time"
Dudley passed his hand thoushtfully across
his face, as he observed slowly Gould it
have been from a remark that | made on the
morning that left you? | recollect now
meeting with one of the neighbors, who in
! qulred now You We're. replied that you
were very well when last saw you, but that
we had few words together and separated
noticed that lac looked rather surprised at
/ nv answer.