The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15


word did j shew my satisfaction, for Ag
mes demanded the constant service lips
and eyes, and was oply<too read TO de-
vote them to the woman who still felt her
Q wcr and dared to show 1t. 80
All that day was beside her, forgetful
in many ways of the gentle coartesies ]
owed the ehisd whom had made my
wife. | did aot sec 'lre wrong then, cut
Others did, and the defercuee l failed to
show she could ask of chem.
In the evening, as | stood near Agnes
while she sang the songs we both remem-
bered we'll, my eye fell ON mirror that
confronted ME, and in it saw Efiie bend
ing forward with look that startled me.
Some strong emotion controlled her, for
With lips apart and eager eyes She gazed
keenly at the countenances she believed
unconscious of her scrutiuy.
Agnes caught the vision that had ar
rested the haIf-uttered pliLent upon
my lips, and, turning, looked at El1ie with
smile just touched with scorn.
/ The color rose vividly to Effie's cheek,
but her eyes did not tall,-they sought
my face, and rested there. A half smile
crossed my lips; with a sudden impulse
beck oned, and she came with such an
altered countcnance l fancied that | had
mot seen Alright.
At my desire she's the ballads she
so loved, and in her girlish voice there
was an undertone of deep melody than
when I heard them first among her na
tive hills for the child's heart was ripen-
ING fast into the w0mans.
Agnes went, at length, and | heard
Eaie's sigh of relief when we were left
alune, but onlY bid. her ego and rest, "
while | paced to and fro, still murmuring
the refrain of Agnes song.
The Yaughans came often, and We
went often to them in the summer.home
they had chosen near US on the river bank
| followed my own wayward will. and Eff
ic's wistfuleyes grew saddtr as the weeks
went by.
One sultry evening, as we stro!led to-
gethcr on the balcony, was seized with
a sudden longing to hear Agnes sing, and
bid Efie come with me for moonlight
voyage down the river.
She had been very silent all the even
ing, with pensivc shadow on her face
and rare smiles on her lips. But as |
spoke, she paused abruptly, and, clench-
ing her small hands, turned upon me with
defiant eycs,-crying, almost fercely,-
!" No. will not 90 to listen to that wo
mans songs | hate her! yes, more than
[ can tell . for, till she came, [ thought
you loved me; but now you think of her
alone, and chide me when ! look unhap-
py. You treat me like a child but [ AM
not one. Oh Sir, be more kind, for !
have only you to lovc.!'-and as her voice
died IL that sad appeal, she clasped her
hands before her face with such a burst
of tears that had no words to answer
her. ..-..... ......... ....... ...-
Disturbed by ihe sudden passion of the
hitherto meek girl, / sat down on the
wide steps of the balcony and cSsaycd TO
draw her 10 my knee, hoping she would
weep this grief away as she had often
done le$.er sorrox. But she resisted
my carcSs, and, standing erect before me,
CHECKED hertoars. saving, in voice still
trembling with resentment and reproach, :
"You PROMISED Jean to be kind to me,
and you are cruel for when | ask for
love, you give me jewels, books, or flow
ers, as you would give pettsh child a
toy, and 90 away as if you were weary Of
me. Oh, it is not right, Sir! and | can
not, no, will not bear it = r
If she had sparedreproaches, deserved
though they were, and hvmbly pleaded to
be loved, | should have been more just
ard gentle; but her indignant words, the
sharper for their truth, reused the des-
potic spirit of the man, and made me
sterncst when / should have been most
kind. .,-.-.. .... ......... ...
"Efie," said, looking coldly up into
her. r.troubed face. = | have given you the
right to be thus frank with mo; but be
fore YOU! exercise that right, let ne tell
you what may silence your reproaches and
teach you to know ne better. I desired
to adopt you as my chili Jean would not
consent to that, but bid nc marry you,
and SO give you home, and win for my
self companion who should make that
home less solitary | could protect ycu
in no other way. and | married you. ]
meant it kindly, Efie; for | piticd you,
-ay, and loved you, too, as | hoped |
had fully proved.
"Ycu have, Sir,-oh. you have!- But
I Itdped' n1ight IN time be mort to you
than dear child," sighed Effie, while
softer tears flowed as she spoke, .a,-..
le9aEhe, | told Jean | was hard, cold
man and | was one as those words pass
ed nv lips. " I told her | was unified
,o3m.l :. yffer hanrv Rut she.said van