Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-11-09


living ever with her judge-remember
this, Madame but remember, also, that
you have not the privilege of complaint,
nor shall you dare to breathe to any living
ear, not even to your confessor, one word
of your past crime or your present punish
| ment"
Henri left the room. Estelle's first
impulse was to fly the house but then
whittier could she go? Even her own
relations, when Henri should reveal the
truth-as in case she rebeled he would
would drive her from their presence
Octave! Octave!" said she wildly,
bursting into tears, "why did | not die
with your
But there was nothing but submission,
and wretched and heart-broken Estele
submitted.
Henri kept the conditions he had made
strictly; in his public, in his own family,
his attentions to his wife were greater than
| they had ever been; tenderly he cared for
her, gently he spoke of her-he was grow
ing richer his genius was emerging from
| the crowd and bringing its reward ; luxu-
ries increased around Estelle her home
was one of splendor she had numerous
servants around her, and carriage at her
command. Her diamonds and dresses
were the envy of her friends. Her own
relations congratulated her on her happy
marriage. The world, too, told her that
she should be proud of her husband,
prophesying that he would rise to the
highest honors. But Henri had never
changed his manner towards Estelle in
difference, silent contempt marked his
manner towards her; not for an instant
did he seem to forget that she was 10 him
nothing but Octaye's mistress.
All inimacies, too, were forbidden TO
Estelle.
''I cannot trust you." he would say
"y you may find another lover :" or, if a
young and virtuous wife would seek Es-
telIe's friendship, he would command her
to avoid it.
:: You might corrupt virtuous woman.
You are not fit society for her.
Spite of his solicitude in public, he
never noticed Estelles health or sickness
in private, and when he himself was suffer
ing, resolutely refused all her care.
So for five years they lived. Perhaps,
after, all, the quality which inspires most
love in the heart of woman is strength
The Indian squaw loves her husband for
the number of foes he kills the woman
of civilization loves man for the power Of
his mind, the strength of his character
and will Estelle, for the first two months
had reyolted and resisted she had mourn
ed deeply Octave's death, but ii seemed
impossible that she could weep for him
beneath her husbands roof; she was
ashamed of grief for her lover in his pres
ence. So gradually the grief faded, and
rarely did the image of Octave intrude on
her mind. Then came deep feeling OF
humiliation. Then spirit of defiance
arose in her but her husbands calm un-
alterable authority soon subdaed her.
Hearing the worlds eulogiums Of him,
seeing him surrounded with its admira-
ton, she grew TO be proud of him, to be
proud of the homage she received from
the world as his wife. Then came bitter
repentance for the past, deep remorse. as
tonishment at the folly which could have
| preferred poor Octave to such a man as
Henri. She came TO love him passionate
ly, devotedly, and to feel that such love
| was utterly hopeless. Yet, wherefore
She was beautiful, young, admired; he
might be made to forget, he might be
brought TO love her Patiently she began
irving TO win back his affection, but Henri
perceived her intentions.
- Madame said he, I" do not try your
arts on me- am not to be seduced, and
if by strange irresistible fatality l had
conceived passion for you, a degraded
woman and a faithless wife, l would
die rather than yield to it. Pray, Ma
dame, try no coquetries on me-"
Estellc turned away, her brow burning
with shame she was creature of deep
feeling and sudden impulse she was
desperate, and all her woman's pride had
been deeply wounded. She fed to her
room, despair in her heart.
That night, when Henri returned home,
on his desk he found, as he had found five
years before, Estelle's wedding ring, and
the word '' farewell"
A deep pang shot through his heart
had she left him again? Was she SO de-
praved, so corrupt? He rushed 10 her
room. threw open the door, and crossed
the threshold he had never passed for five
years before.
All was still and silent he dashed
, back the curtains Of the bed; there lay
Estelle, pale, beautiful, and very still
she did not turn as he approached her
she did not move; he put his hand or