Litchfield enquirer., 1860-01-26

One night-I had heard Ann go to bed long before, and there was no sound or stir in the silent house-my selfpossession, my sense of my own identity, altogether failed me
 I crouchcd upon the bare floor in the bare room I struggled to separate myself from the woes into which 1 had plunged the wife" of my imagination. I could not-in- tense emotion oyerpowered me. Sick with anguish, cried out, Husband, husband! Good God! this is more than l can bear!"
 I covered my face; that cry had startled me back to myself, and great terror came and darkness.
 As continued to crouch there covering my face, it seemed to me that something stirred in the room, that chill breath famed my neck and arms raised my head, seek ing light.
 My candle had burned out; I was alone in stirring darkness-the thick darkness of a cose-shuttered room. l strained my eyes into it; I seemed chained to the spot.
 Suddenly, my excited fancy made my hus- band present to me, standing in the middle of the room regarding me. He was pale; his expression was reproachful, his form spec tral,
 I spread out my arms toward him; my senses failed me, my last consciousness be- ing of blow and flash of pain.
 Daylight was streaming through all cracks and crevices when I recovered. found myself lying with my face upon the floor. l sat up with difficulty, and turned sick and dizzy when saw pool of blood close to where my face had lain. By-and-by man. aged to get to my bedroom, and, after wash ing my stained brow, discovered small, but deep wound on my temple. l had fallen against sharp iron-bound corner of the box which had used as desk.
 I did not distinctly recall what had fright ened me. I felt terribly weak, and lay on my bed quite still for several hours. Then 1 rang and ordered Ann to bring me some coffee into my room. My window was dark ened, and she seemed to notice nothing par ticular in my appearance told her l was not very well, and did not wished to be dis turbed.
 The hot, strong coffee revived me wonder fully, and my thoughts returned to my all but finished work.
 My book vas not to be $ Treoody it was to cnd quietly and peacefully. feet IS g heautiful as sumner day. la bed soft ,07vssaE 07vsgs 5:ps tl2 hqnniness of tls aaaary end- E, aud tsle tears rained from eges 4 Ut close to tue open window on s2i lovely ay, il. a deliciously subdued anu sympa- hetic mood and wrote my blissful conclu- ing chapters
 With one brief interruption only, I con- nued to write till late in the afternoon--I o longer wrote with haste and passion, but g I remember, with a quiet sense of perfect ower.
 I had finished. I said, Thank God"
 My heroine was happy now, and my cart craved like happiness clamorously. Make haste and come home, Kenelm W l rrd.
 went down stairs to hunt for strings 7ax, and stamps my book must be imme- lately sent off
 On my workable lay letter from my usband How long had it lain there un- pened ? pressed it to my lips and to my 'osom before read it.
 It said he would be home this evening What happiness 1! This evening at seven. t said what time could it be now
 Even as 1 wondered our clock struck even.
 There I stood in my loose, tumbled white my hair wildly disordered, my ,auds stained with ink, and my cheeks with ears. could not move, it was like dread ul nightmare dream.
 My head began to ache maddeningly. T houg ght how none of my intended prepara- ions for Kenem's return were made and was I fit to meet him? pressed my land upon my brow unwittingly 1 displac- d the plaster upon my wound, from which he blood began again to trckle.
 I would have. given years life to recall one hour then.
 heard the garden gate. saw Kenelm come up the path, and still could not move.
 The room door opened and admitted my husband.
 He paused in sad amazement.
 His face was like the face I had seen in my vision, which now vividly returned to me- l tried to believe this was vision too. His form seemed to waver and flicker, and a DlaCh gun Cpciieu a1 my ieSI.
 Both my husband and Ann were standing over me when regained consciousness; when I raised myself on the couch, Ann disap- peared.
 "I am so sorry--so grieved," I began, T did not expect you yet. l had only just read your letter. and"--
 "Do not talk now--rest, love. Was this just done 2" -..... ...-...
 "No; struck my head last night, and''--
 My poor wounded darling ]"
 had no need to make excuses He cared for me tonight instead of for him, yet he looked very travel-worn and i'll. He dress ed my wound with tender fingers, and said many tender words. But he looked very sad, and I could not bear to meet his inquir ing gaze. I closed my eyes and felt myself wretched little bypocrite. 1 passionately vowed never again to have secret from Kenelm.
 My husband made me go to bed early. He read to me till he thought was asleep; then knew that he prayed by me before he went away. How longed to clasp him round the neck and tell him all my secret, but was afraid and ashamed.
 When I had heard him go down stairs and shut the parlor door behind him. I sprang up. My Bluebeard chamber was un- locked all my papers lay about the floor 1