Litchfield enquirer., 1860-09-13

o When Helen left the parlor, she went to he : chamber. She felt perfectly calm and indltier e ent "For nearly seven years, thought she ' i l. has been almost my sole study to please him ! and what is my reward?" She sat down ant r mused. Her entire intellectual being seemed resolved into memory and her whole married life rushed in review before her. She saw he own unfortunate desire to secure his approba S tion and do his pleasure MT. HowardI t exacting-his fault-inding, his unforgiving spir it. It is too true, thought she, |" he is selfish
 arbitrary, and implacable" At the close of thi train of thought, Helen's own feelings alarmed her. Her heart was too quiet. She loDgcd tt have it gush forth as in times past, in tender l ness toward her husband :; but it would not I was rather feeling than thought, that led her tt l repeat" He is selfish, arbitrary, and implaca
 ble; and firmly claspng her hands together, she , exclaimed in deep bitterness of spirit-"I shal never love him more'
 Never before had Mir. Howard been so anx ious for the tea hour as on this afternoon; anc scarcely in his life had two hours stretched them r selves to such an interminable length. He coulC
 with difficulty fix his mind on its appropriate bu
 siness. An undehned feeling of self-reproacl and apprehension haunted him. |" But" thought
 he, < she will fly to my arms the moment enter
 the house, and then 1 will assure her that all is
 forgotten"
 Long as the time seemed, slowly as it dragged itself along, he would not go to his house until the usual hour; to have done otherwise would have been too great sacrifice of his dignity , but when the bell chimed the signal for him to
 leave his office, with rapid steps he hastened homeward. The tea-table was spread when he entered the eatng-room but Helen was not
 there. Very shortly, however, she appeared : and with only calm word of courtesy-tor Hel en had always been courteous even to husband seated herself at the table. Mir. Howard like wise took his seat, but mechanically; for, tC partake of the evening meal was matter that had not entered his mind His eyes glanced al
 Helen $ face from time to time, to discover, ii possible, what this new manner meant That face he had hitherto been able to read as easily as the printed page ; but now he WAS complete
 ly at fault. Could Ee have discovered any lndi cations of suppressed feeng-the slightest quivering of the lip; could he hare discovered any mark of anger in any feature, he would have felt relieved ger could he have perceived any tremor or huskiness in tue voice, it would have quieted, in some degree, his feelings but all these signs of emotion were wanting. She look ed, indeed, very serious, but neither displeased nor sorrowful and her voice, though somewhat lower than usual, was perfectly clear and mill, and distinct, as she performed the usual services of the tea-table, or briefly answered any triling question he proposed to her. Mir. Howard ratll- CT fingered at table, though he knew neither what he ate or drank; but as Helen remained as unaltered as 8 marble statue, he at len@th rose abruptly and retired. His feelings were con- pounded of wonder, anxiety, apprehension and a kind of displeasure, of which it had been diff fcut to decide whether himself or Helen were tie object.
 The next day, and the next, and tho next
 were still the same. and Mir Towards anxiety began to settle into a feeling of vexat;on and irritahilify. ' She may remain stubborn as long as she p!ea:sz,'' thought he. It is not tue husbands place to be in subserviency to the wife and if she thin!; in this way, to soften aiy feelings, or unler2lne ]ly authority, she will find her mistake If she wish the harmony of other days restored she must yield" For the several preceding days, MT. Towards feelings had been so harrasscd. that he thought not of finding fault with anything but now lie was not sorry when an occasion of censure occurred. Perhaps it would effect that which he so ardent ly desired should be accomplished. without tie slightest descent from dignity on his part. In the usual manner he expressed his dsapproba- tion. Helen calmly replied, " she was very sor- ry, and would be very careful that the same e. TOT should not be again committed" Mr. How ard was thunder struck by her calm indifference. He would much rather have seen tempest of feeling, violent in proportion to the unnatural tranquility that had so long rcigned. Dignity and anxiety had sharp, but momentary con ftict and the latter so far gained the victory as to lead him to say
 ou have not appeared as usual for some days Past, Helen-are you unWell ?
 Il am perfectly well, thank you" she replied, with the same unmoved tone and manner as before scarcely raising her eyes from the work ill which she was engaged.
 At least" proceeded Mr. Howard, with sup 1 pressed emotion, "you are Got as cheerful as should like to see you.''
 Helen continued to ply her needle with all diligence, and remained silent.
 Mr. Howard watched her for some time with deep solcitude, and then silently left the parior
 A few more days spent just like the prece- ding one, led MT. Howard to resolve on leaving home for week or two. Hitherto his unavoid able journeys had been seasons of great trial to Helen. As soon as he would be gone, the days and hours would be literally counted, until lis return might be expected; but now, she heard him propose to leave home for a number of days, with as much tranquility as if he had only proposed to take an airing. With her usual care she saw that every thing was properly pre- pared for his journey-but there were no tears -no entreaties that he would use all possible despatch-no parting kiss which assured him that her whole heart and soul went with him. He departed and in four days was at home again. He was on the rack during the whole period Of his absence. Indeed his feelings were such, that when he arrived at his own house, he was really indisposcd. Helen met him with all due courtesy; expressed her satisfaction that he had returned without accident and regretted his impaired health just as she would have done, had 1t been common acquaintance under simi- lar circumstances. She neglected no duty. how ever, but nursed him with untiring assiduity though with no more tenderness than her bef nevoience would have led her to manifest to sick stranger.
 How much longer is this to last, Helen. ?" said MT. Howard one day, after she had stood | for some time silently bathing his temple, but Carefully averting her eyes from his. He clasped her hand in his as he spoke. Without a word in reply, she dsengaged her hand, and calmly walked to closet to replace the vial, the con tents of which she had been using.
 Mr. Howard closed his eyes, and leaned his head on the back of his chair with suppressed sigh. He Eeither knew what to do, nor what to think. The person who moved about him, who conversed with him, and attended so carefully to all his wants, seemed entirely another being than his own Helen. Formerly she had been just like all afectiona.e, confdng child; every joy, and every sorrow was poured into his ear; her whole soul was laid bare before him. At once she had become the dignifed, reserved, self-pos- sessed woman. She said nothing either of what pleased or what troubled her.
 She expressed neither hopes, fears nor wishes. She conversed on any topic he introduced, with eno 4f,nr,- af