The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-18

man beside him as his gentle Kitty. He
face was ghastly; the great hollow eyes
seemed to be sinking rapidly in,o bel
head, like those who are in their death ago.
ny. The blue, livid lips refused to utter the
sounds that were struggling for utterarce.
She did not faint, her grief was too sharp
for that, and besides it was not quite new OF
unexpected. Kitty had had, without herself
realizing the extent of her fears, some vagu.
misgivings that all was not right. Her wild
fearless eyes were fixed on the miniature lha,
hung conspicuous over his breast, as he start
ed up at Kitty's wild cry.
"Why is all this, Kitty ~ he said, at last.
Why do YOU treat me TO scene the first
day of my return ."
The cold words fell on her ear like ice
they chilled but did not crush her. The gen
tie spirit was reused at last, and s1ch are not
the soonest appeased when once fairly awak-
ed to sense Of grievous wrong.
Frederick Manning, is If for this | have
loved you better than my own soul? Is this
the return meet from TIE father CT NY child
for all the love have lavished2 Is this the
way YOU, my sole protector, fulfil your prom
Use to my dead mother? God forgive you,
Frederick, for l can not You have broken
my heart,'
She covered her face, and sobs Of unoon-
trollable anguish burst forth. Then she
stretched forth her hands, and CROPPED as If
all were blank darkness and despair before
her; and she would have fallen had not
Frederick put his arm about her.
She suffered him TO lead her 10 the sofa,
AID sa, down beside him; but she seemed
n9t 10 hear the words Of endearment he III.
tered.
What a bitter mockery ;Ley were TO that
stricken wife, with the words OF tenderness
her heart had craved lavished upon another
still ringing in her ears
Frederick soothed and caressei her, for he
WIS thoroughly alarmed. She looked as II
she had passed through ages of suffering, AM
his own heart was filled with remorsefol sor-
row as he gazed upon that van face, and be-
held the misery lie had Caused. She made
no reply. only now and then raised her head
and cast upon him look SO despalring and
stony in lis wre.chedness that lie half doubt
cd whether she heard word that he uttered.
He had not deliberately intended to wrong
his gsnii", patient wife, bat he was blinded
and infatuated with the heartless siren who
lad hewilched him by her spells. He made
promises and vows of future fidelity and love.
Either some great change had come over
Kitty. or in that moment of the souls agony
she s.r into the future ant already felt tie
weI--i = ih- great dArAenlng shadow ici
she made no answer, only from time 10 tine
turned that same HOPELESS gaze upon him
AM seemed to search his soul III lasi
Frederick put his arm around her, and weep
ing himself now, said
An, Kitty, have mercy. and forgive NE
Wi. ynu moi forgive me FOR our Wiliie's
sake"
Il viii try she murmuTei. bu, withou,
returning his caress.
Kitty. ID you hear MT? Do you mean
what you say" liz repeated. Say once
more YOU viii forgive me. and love me a.
YOU used" His selfish heart demanded tie
old love.
Il viii ;ry and forgive you, as / hope Gct
will forgive all nv sins" But still Size sal
cod. and ietp-neo. TO caress. Little Wiilit
entered the room. Kitty clasped him in he,
arms and tainted.
Frederich's promises and Intentions wer,
sincere when he made them. The sight O
kit,y's sa:Eerings softened his heart, and fo
months he was as devoted and Kind :.
she conld desire, and lie firmly resisie,
for time the banefll wi;chery Of Mrs. Gas
ties charms But she was piquei at the los
of her triumph, and resolved 10 complete If
1t may be she did not deliberately plan th'
nl.sch;e: she wrought: but she was vain anl
merciless-vanity always Is SO. She did m
love her own husband, and she had beoom
as mrci: interested ard fascinated hv Fred
erick as such selfish woman can become il
any one.
She left town ostensihly to visit some re
ia,ives; bu, she well knew that in The cours
of few weeks Frederirk's business wouli
call him there 10 attend Court, and sh
already felt herself half secure Of her heart
less triumph, for she knew the weakness. c
his character.
Week after week rolled away, and Freder
lex fingered at her side. The plea of busi
ness was long ago exhausted; his letter
grew less and less frequent. Poor heart
broken Kitty. She knew it was vain /
struggle with her fate. Good, plain Aun
Sally was with her for she was too feeble L
be left alone. She sent telegraph after tele
graph, thinking 10 hasten him home. Some
times her plain, downright way of speakin
cut through Kits trembling heart ike
) sharp knife.
"She didn't see why, when a mans bus
} home" and wanted Kitty TO write a goo
: sharp letter and tell him so.
She did not nprceixe the anrr;sh she Il,