Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-11

I
in the counting room came back to my
house late at night was invariably told
that Mrs Burton had gone out did
not object to this at first. Indeed, / rath-
er liked it. was perfectly free. When
claimed nothing, nothing was Of course
exacted.
The commencement of the third year
was clouded with disaster. Storms at
sea swept away thousands of dollars.
One of the conhagralions which afflicted
San Francisco early in her history. de-
stroyed the accumulations of years. In
the midst of alLihis Mr.. Bullion died.
suddenly, and I was left alone to en-
coun er the embarrassments which sur
rounded us.
1t was hard struggle, and from day
to day ! expected to go dswn with the
wreck Of my fallen fortunes. think
it was in the c o urse Of these dreary
moaths that | first began to see the
worhessness Of mere worldly success.
| began to long for some one to lean up
on. 1t would have been a blessed relief
u bouId uRNc cuhlcu Will dUOtneT the
burden which oppressed me. Naturally
my thoughts turned TO my wife. Dur
ing the year Of mourning she had not.
been 50 much abroad but at home she
was always surrounded by gay friends.
One evening found her alone when
went TO dinner. She was paler than u.s.
ual, and her rare loveliness was only en-
hanced by her simple balf-mourning
attire.
Don't go out to night, Louise, said
in reply to her request that | would or
der the carriage. i am not going back
to the counting. room tonight. Stay at
home with me for once
She lifted her eyebrows in unfeigned
surprise.
i am at loss to understand why you
should wish me to remain she said cold
ly. IF you have spare evening upon
your hands dare say Miss Carlton (the
housekeeper's daughter) would be happy
to entertain you l will send her down,
and she rose to leave the room.
Louise, Louise 7
An expression of impotence swept
over her face.
What do you want ?
Somehow my long.crusbed affections
asserted themselves. went toward her
with arms outstretched.
Il want you, Louise-my wife. /
want your love. long for your sympa-
thy. Let US put away this coldness, and
learn to love each other. Louise, wont
you come to me?'
She stood motionless, her large eyes
fixed upon me, and her face white and
set.
Louise =
Something like softness came into her
eyes. 1t is too late ? she said slowly.
Louise, why do you say SOP cried
passionately. I'VE are young. ! will
try to deserve your love-.
She shock her head 1T is too late.
When you asked me to be your wife I
could have loved you-O, how we'll for
my heart was aching for love--but you
tacitly forbade it. Yun let me understand
how valueless my love would be to you.
SO chose my course. If it is not the
right one, the fault is yours. 1t is too
late 10 undo it now.
Forgive me, Louise. | was blind, l
was mad. Surely | can atone for that
great mistake, and Louise | need you
iorely.' Her face was full of compassion,
,nd her soft eyes swimming with tears.
1T is too late, too late, she repeated
gently.
Louise, you cannot be so mpacable.
Why do you say so
Because | love another J
She spoke so q1i.tly, so gently that
thought | had mi d rstood her.
What?
Il love another. Another week and
hould have flown from our roof now
confess my love to you, and ask you to
rec me from yourself. l cannot deceive
,ou now
She told me all this horrible truth as
luietly as it it had not been Of char
Icter TO drive me mad To lose her just
Is | needed her most To think of the
owe an2 tenderness that might have been
nine
In a little while it was all over. To
eease my wife from the hateful yoke of
loyeless marriage, was all the atone
nent | could make. If there was blame
know who alone ought to bear its con-
equeuces. by the losses had sustain>
d my fortune was much impaired but
was still ample, and my eagerness.
Or money making was satiated. clos
d my business in California and return
d to the East. Here in the uxuri-
Us, lonely home | have dwelt for ten
ears.
There is dwelling not far from my
wn. 1t is unpretentious, but beautiful.
Flowers and vines, and long rows of state
= trees are among its charms. Up be-
ween these graceful elms sometimes
ee at nightfall, hard worked man re-
lrning to this quiet country home after
days toll in the city. notice that his
lce grows more cheerful as he enters the.
iade of those d,ooping branches. Child.
sn run gaily d ow the avenue, and
,metimes fair woman comes out upon,
le steps and await his coming. watch
,e shadows as they darken around the
ouse. Presently 1 see light spring
p, the curtains are dropped, but Know
lat in that loving home happiness is a