Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-04

self. Then a long sigh trembled on thu
air; and then, lifting the object on which
his gaze waf rivited, Mr.. Rowland pressed
it to his lips, kissing it almost passionate
ly three or four times. Avid throb leap
ed along Mrs. Rowland veins. Then he
heart grew still, as in the presence of som'
unknown. but stupendous evil. Some
thing impelled her to spring forward and
read his MYSTERY, and something as strong
ly held her back. As she stood, pale nov
and in tremor, the object was kissed
again, and then returned to drawer in
the secretary from which it had been tax
en-. In this act, for an instant, the NINA
ture of lady met the gaze of Hrs. How
landi Locking the drawer, her husband
placed the key in his pocket, and then
resting both arms on the writing leaf oi
the secretary, buried his face in them, and
sat motionleSs.
Turning away as noiseiess as shehad ap-
preached, Mrs. Rowland fled back to her
chamber in wild alright, and sat down
painting in bewilderment. As soon as
thought began to move in a determinate
way, the first result was flood of indig-
nation, burning sense of wrong; and it
was only by an effort that the outraged
wife could hold herself back from con-
fronting her husband and demanding to
see the miniature. A calmer, but not less
painful state succeeded, in which con-
science whispered of indifference and ne
glect. Had she not turned, habitually,
her most attractive, or her least attractive,
side to her husband? Had she kept her
self lovely in his eyes, lovely in temper
and lovely in person? Her heart sunk
1t grew darker and darker around her /;
life seemed crushing out.
WHO is it ?" This question marked q
change in the current of Mrs. Howland's S
thoughts. Rapidly she passed in review
one lady friend for another, but without
an incident to fix suspicion. Then times
and seasons in which her husband was alb
sent from home, were dwelt upon. Once
a week regularly he went out in the ey-
ening, occasionally twice. The regular
absence was for the purpose of attending
literary society-at least so he had in
formed his wife. Now, for the first time,
doubt of his truth crept in; and this
doubt was as the sweeping away of all the
foundation on which her soul had rest
ed.
For long time Mr.. Rowland remained
sitting at his secretary, with his face bur-
led in his arms. At length, rising with o
slow, weary motion, as of one exhausted
by bodily or mental eXertion, he drew out
his watch
"Half past nine !" was calculated, in
surprise. And then he looked through
the door, over towards the chambers to
which his wife went with the children,
and stood listening for some sound. All
was silent. For a short time he moved in
N If.raSnlrrfo a1Na,,& H.
and sitting down, tried to find relief in
the pages of book, but in little while
the HelssTfae closed in his hands. Thought
was too busy in another direction to dwell
even with fayorite author.
Ten o'clockw The bell was ringing
its clear notes from a neighboring steeple.
Mr.. Rowland started up, and turning out
the light went to the sleeping room. His
wife was in bed. He spoke to her, but
she did not answer.
''Are you asleep?" No motion or re-
sponse of any kind. She lay with her face
nearly hidden under the bed clothes
He looked at her in strange, earnest
manner for some moments, and then,
moving about noislessly, prepared for rest.
Inc day mad been one OF much activity,
and Mr.. Iiowland was weary enough for
sleep. Soon after his head touched the
pillow, he was in the land of Dreams
His deep breathing had scarcely given ev-
ldence of the fact, ere a light movement
ON the part of Mrs. Rowland showed her
to be awake. Presently she drew the
clothes from her face, and raised herself |
cautiously. The heavy breathing of her
husband was not interrupted. She sat
up in bed-he still slept on: she glided |
from beneath the covering, and cropping |
in the darkness, Sound her husbands |
vest, from which she took a kew.
Mothers" The slight noise made in
opening the chamber door, had disturb |
ed one of the children. Mrs. Rowland
stood still, holding her breath. The call
was not repeated, and she went out
cropping her way along the passage with
a hand on the wall. Entering the room
she sought, she closed the door behind
her, and drew the bolt, fastening herself
in. Now all her motions became hurried
and nervous. After lighting the gas, she
went TO her husbands secretary, and with
the key in her possession, unlocked one
Of the private drawers. Her hand shook
so that the key ratified on the scutcheon
before a way was found into the wards.
The first object that met her view, rs the
drawer came open, was a morocco min
ature case, which she seized upon with 4
clutch as that of a bird of prey, and
bearing it to the gas light, unloosed the
clasp, and exposed the face of her rival
1t was young and lovely face, and
the eyes looked up into hers with a ten
der sweet expression. Away from the
pure forehead, the hair of golden auburn
fell smootly back, and lay in curls upon
her neck, that was winter and purer than
llabaster. The lips were full, soft, and
irching for a flight of arrows. Loves d,
was in the pictured counte-
nance.
Still, very still, did the wife sit and
gaze down upon her rivals face-that face
on which, scarce an hour before. she had
'een her husbands kisses laid. Still, very ,
till, she sat, the tears creeping out of her
Eyes, falling slowly over her cheeks, and !
lropping upon the miniature. Was she i
ealous of that rival? No Her heart was ,
90 glad for jealousy, too full of Joy, too I
Wild with a newborn happiness. The ]
,ride of ten years ago was the rival of to- I
lay; and the heart of her husband was ,
rue to his marriage VOWS. 1t was no 6
ault of his that he could not love what I
lad become unlovely. Not unlovely in {
he poorer signifcation of that word, rs {
changes wrought by the wear '
ng hand of time but Gnlovely through $
Indulgence in impatience and fretfulness, i
nd in the neglect of self-discipline un- i
oyely, also, from carelessness of attire and :
,crsonal neatness. II
With the image of herself as she was /
en- years before, and with the image of a
er husband fondly, passionately kissing t
hat image, dwelling in her imagination, il
FRS. Rowland went back to her bed. She y
ad suddenly awakened as from dream: Z
nd the language of her heart was e
Thank God that ] am awakew f
As they sat ut breakfast on the next +
lorning, Mrs. Rowland noticed a change r
q the expression of her husbands face p L
e looked at her across the table, letting O
is eyes dwell upon her with unusual in +
crest. 1t Mas pleased, almost admir-
10 expression. She was in no doubt as G.