Litchfield enquirer., 1860-09-13
Whole No. 1S41.

to consumption at much earlier age than that M at "hicn she had arrived ; and her mother had peel Iaken away by the same unrelenting de- stroyer MT. Towards anxiety became so oreot that week or two before he started mn b;s iorr. ney, he requested Dr. Miller the family nbys;. clan to call as if by accident, and ascertan if possible, whether Helen was really diseased - or whether his fears were only the offspring of A distempered imagination. VI !"
 The doctor did as he was requested to do. Ue called on Mrs. Howard, to see, as he said how she was likely to bear so long a separation. AZ ter chatting for an hour with her, on the com mon topics of the day, he made some leading re- mark concerning her health. She confessed that as the cold weather came on, she felt some di- minution of strength, and occasional pains in the chest; "but nothing" she added, "to interfere with my avocatious, or to affect my spirits "-- With the freedom of an old friend, and family practitioner, the doctor took her hand, and found It not and dry; he felt her pulse and they were considerably accelerated He however, made no remarked:
 "Perhaps it is well Mir Howard goes to Wash- ington this winter. Such pattern wife as YOU are, Will Of course be very domestic during his | absence; and doubt whether much exposure to our cold northern air would do you any good"
 To Mr. Howard the doctor made report as favorable as his conscience would permit but he confessed that Helen's symptoms were not just'such as he could wish NIT. Towards look of deep distress led him to add" but I hope much from her firmness of mind, and equanimi- ty ol spirits. And after all, 1 should probably thlnk very lightly of her complaints, were not consumption the disease of her family"
 The morning of his departure found the feel ings of Mr. Howard all in tumult Vain had been his endeavors to detect in Helen the slight est symptoms of regret at their separation. She appeared only the noble and patriotic woman, thinking ot her country's good the lofty an n- dependent minded wife, enjoying her husbands honors, but not leaning on him for support
 At the breakfast table, the feelings of ITr. Howard nearly overpowered him. To eat was impossible, and it was with difficulty that he swallowed cup of cofiee
 "l shall write toyou very rery often Helen," said he abruptly. You will not let 0H my let ters remain unanswered ?"
 " Certainly not" Helen replied " I can read fly understand how anxious you will feel about the children'
 Mir. Howard bit his lip to prevent different expression of feeling-and after a silence of some length, said
 Will you promise me to take the best possi- be care of your own health 7"
 Surely there is little need of eyactinp such a pomlse from mother" answered Helen "I feel that my life is of some value to my little ones, and of course consider it a tlaty to do all can to preserve it.
 By thus referring to the children, both as the exclusive objects of his interest and her owu, Helen completely closed the lips of her hus- band, when he would have expressed tenderness to herself. Her dignity and reserve seemed to form Kind of magic circle around her. over winch he found it impossible to pass. The kind ness ot her actions and the unvaryng coldness Of her manner; her fondness in expression her opinions, and her concealment of her feelings, kept NIT. Howard ln Q constant state of wonder and excitement; and gave rise to such conflict ing emotions and such contradictory thoughts, that one could not obtain utterance ere it's op- pos te had driven it away
 Having the children with you," said Mr. How ard, while yet at the breakfast table, "you will feel less solitary than myself, separated from all 1 hold dear
 ! ou will not, and must not, feel solitary sa'd Helen. ou must give your mind to your country, and in discharging your duties as pa- tnot and statesman, you will find enough to en- gross your heart And beside, who can talk of solitude in the midst of Washington society ?"
 The mind is it's own place. said Mr. How ard, :" and one may feel as solitary in a crowd >N0 --- N"SNiC' I1otu HuSDdDu duu WIG now remained silent; and in short time they were aroused by the horn of the stage-coach sounding before the door. The table was deserted in an instant, and after showing the stage-waiter his baggage, MT. Howard returned to the parlor, and closed the door.
 "fhe bitter moment has at length come," said he, We must part o, Helen,- in pity say that we part friends !"
 Friends!; reiterated Helen-in voice as cheerful as she now ever spoke in--for the light, glad tone of earlier days had vanished away to- gether with the !" wreathed smiles" that had ac- companied it." Friends --assuredly we do L. and most sincerely do wish you success, as will leave you nothing to ask"
 There are moments in our 1ives when the most bitter wailings of grief, would be sweeter to the ear, than the gladdest strains of music and thus it was in the present instance with Mir. Howard. Helen's undisguised indifference, even at the moment of parting, wrung every fibre of his heart.
 With look of intense feeling he turned to the children, and pressed them 'to his bosom, and murmured a few fond farewell words to each. As he replaced the youngest on the carpet Hell cn presented her hand He took it without ut terlng syllable, pressed it firmly, and then dartlng from the house, seated himself in the coach, which the next moment rolled away.
 CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.