Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-24
M I SC ELLA N Y.
From the Southern Field and Fsresids.
The Skeleton in the Closet or Judging from
Appearances.
By LAURA LINCOLN.


sewing, and indnlging, at the same time, in the
soonsanly propensity of-gossipipg- -descanting
upon the virtues and foibles of their friends and
ibid you ever see any one so changed as Alice
Leighton?" asked Mrs. Cameron of Mrs. Barry,
with whom she was spending the day.
81 never did," was the emphatic response
"Before her marriage she was so lively and
fond of society, and seemingly as happy as it
was possible for human being to be. Now
she scarcely goes out, and looks faded and mis-
erable."
'Atwood Leighton, too; he is no longor his
former self. Every body thought, when those
TWO were married, that if happiness attended a
love-match their future would be a bright one.
But, for my part, | am not as much surprised as
some, for always knew that Alice had tenn
per of her own, which, if not rightly curbed,
would prove the bane of herself and husband
hear that Leighton is losing all interest in his
profession, and that he has lost almost every
case entrusted to him for the last two years. I
understand, too, that his wife is endeavoring to
persuade him to give up his profession, and live
altogether on his plantation. That is, to me,
the most singular circumstance of all. She
whom | have heard declare that she had as soon
be buried alive as live in the country, and, when
a girl wouldn't let her father rest until she in
duced him to move to town."
"You don't say so ~ exclaimed Mrs. Barry
"Well, will tell William to exert all his infu-
ence to prevent his friend from thus burying his
talents. Why, Atwood Leighton is one OF our
rising young men-one of the brightest orna-
ments the bar possesses in our State, and think
it shame that his wife should, from some self
ish motive, no doubt, wish him to give up the
law"
~ 1.kl, -
your BREATH" returned her companion, ''for
know Alice Leighton, and you could almost as
easily turn the sun from its course as her from
purpose when she has once fully resolved up
on it,"
time longer-each lady offering her suggestions
being able to arrive at any satisfactory conclu-
sion.
That night Mrs. Barry told her husband what
she had heard, and blamed Mrs. Leighton in no
measured terms. William Barry, was also a
lawyer, and had been intimate with Atwood
Leighton since boyhood. He gravely checked
his wife's TRADE, saying:
sEllen, yon are losing sight of that charity
which your Bible enjoins. Alice Leighton is a
good and true woman, and, rest assured, that
however harshly the world may judge her,
whatever she does is just and right. | should
be the last person to endeayor to counteract her
influence over her husband"
Thus slenced, Mrs. Barry said no more, but
she thought, and expressed her opinion to others
whenever an occasion offered.
Mr.. and Mrs. Leighton sold their town resi-
dence, and settled permanently in the country.
They came bat seldom to the city, and then re-
mained but a few hours to transact necessary
business. @
AS MIR. Barry had been intimate for so many
years with Atwood, he frequently visited him
for recreation during the long summer days, or
perhaps for days shooting in the fall. He
sometimes took his wife with him, and she was
knowing the gay, social temperaments
of both, at seeing them looking happier than
faces OF both husband and wife expressed con-
and peace.
Conjecture as to their strange course among
their circle of acquaintances seemed to have
died away, and they pursued the even tenor of
their way, happy in their children and each
other. Thus years passed by, until Mrs. Barry
was one day startled by her husbands telling
her that Atwood Leighton had purchased
handsome residence, and was about to remove
back to the city, for the two-fold purpose OF
placing his children at school and resuming g.
gain the practice of law. After they became
settled their spacious mansion was throngeG with
old friends and acqualntances, rejoicing once
more to welcome them amongst them.
They appeared to enjoy society as much as ln
their youth, but with more chastened llveh-
ness as became their maturer years. Each and
all observed the mixture of love and reverence
in the manners of Mr.. Leighton towards his still
lovely wife, and the proud and gratified express
sion with which her eyes followed him, con-
spicuous in every crowd by his noble counte-
nance and gracious department. Atwood went
ato partnership with William Barry, and shone,
as his friend had predicted in early manhood,
q bright fixed star in the galaxy OF the profess
sion.
One day, some two years after the Leightons'
return to the city, Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Bar
~ were seated, as in the opening of our sketch,
and the conversation again turned upon the
l4eightons.
"The strange conduct of the Leightons is still
nexplicable to me-, remarked. Mrs. Cameron
THAT they were under cloud of some sort /
I'M fully convinced, and that it was not q Pc
,uniary one / am also assured, for my husband
'ays that Atwood Leighton has always been as
sound as any man in the State"
Just then William Barry entered, and his wife
urned to him and said
'sWe are just discussing that freak of the
.eightons' moving into the country ten years
any apparent cause, and when it
vas universally known that they both preferred
own, and could amply afford to reside where
,ver inclination prompted. You ought to know
he cause of it, if anybody does, for you have
Ilways been Atwood Leighton's bosom friend.-l