The Portland daily press., 1865-03-17
Friday Morning, March II, 1865.
A Wife's Secret.

line MoWbray. A severe disappointment
which experienced in early life had chang
ed me much. To most persons seemed cold
hearted and repulsive; but thought she
knew me better. Her father was clergyman
of small means, and she had four brothers,
two OF them abroad. BY accident met her
Our courtship was sholt. Her father was
happy to see his last child provided for, and
our wedding was celebrated with great pomp.
Two Of her brothers we're there; the other
two were in India. | took her to our secluded
house in the country, and for year and more
lived life OF happiness such as falls to the
lot of few. sE5. tlssltaH
She was Of wonderful beauty. Tall, of ex-
qulsltely moulded shape, with flashing eyes of
brilliant blackness. She was much given to
melancholy, which greatly increased after the
first year OF our union. / then began to fancy
that the memory of some old affection haunt
ed her; but she often told me that was the
only man she had ever loved, and that nv
well-knoWn learning and accomplishments
Those were her words) had long caused her
to entertain for me the greatest respect, even
before she had seen me.
Several times came upon her unexpected
ly, and found her in tears, with an open letter
in her hand On my entreating her to let me
know the cause of her unhappiness she plead
ed nervousness, the thought of her fathers
delicate health and other family matters,
which, she assured me, could never enter
into. troubled myself much about this. |
thought that my manner towards her was not
demonslrative enough, and indeed no manner
could show the boundless depth of my love
for her; then l thought that the disparity OF
our years preeluded perfect interchange OF
feeling and sentiment. -
We had been married fifteen months when
most unexpected news came to me from In
dia. An English relative had died there, leav-
ing me large fortune, and my presence was
required in Bengal to arrange important af.
fairs. Ending that ship was soon to sail. /
resolved to take passage in her, and settled
all things needtul for my wife's comfort dur
ing my absence, which was to be for a twelve
month. The despondency deepened, and I
strove to flatter myself that my approaching e
departure was the cause. III
had had lovely. garden laid out for her.
A sidewalk led down TO tasteful bridge of
ornamented wood, which spanned pretty
stream, an Insignificant stream in dry weather,
but dangerous torrent after rain. In time
of food the water rushed down with great,
velocity, and to prevent the "burstng" of the
bridge, several of the flooring boards were
not nailed down. This bridge led into park
just beyond which were the stables, and the
stables commanded view of our garden.
Although there was thus short cut to the
stables from the house, none ofsthe servants
were allowed to avail themselves of it; our
usual stroll was the garden and the park, and
those were strictly private n
For some days the rain had been falling
heavily and our walks were stopped 1 was
much occupied, however, by business in the
Z neighboring town, and did not return as early
as usual several days in succession.
returned one dark, rainy evening just be-
fore sunset. Much rain had fallen, and as
crossed the bridge on foot noticed the stream
flowing turbid and whirlng beneath. This
was not my usual way OF going home; but in
consequence of the rain rode straight to the
stables, gave my horse to the groom, and took
the short cut. There was shady summer
house in the upper corner OF the garden, and
/ observed, to my surprise, a mans footprints
along the path leading thlther from the bridge
The prints we're those OF a fashionaby-made
boot; and my surprise was increased by COM
ing to a spot 10 which they seemed to have
been met by another persons prints, and
thence both led to the summer-house. Whose
foot but hers could have made those tiny i'm
pressions? l reached the summer house, and
there l found my wife. r
Good Heavens, Carolinep I exclaimed !;
you out on such an evening-youso delicate p
She was shiveFing with cold. 'Wno was here p
said. 9 aa ma5.s7 l391
She shiVered still more, and replied timidly,
mo stranger has been here, Reginald
'WhatP said /; mo Que up the walk from
the bridges' 4-8 gs1ai3a ja9le
She appeared frightened, again shuddered,
and gazing with her large eyes in my face, she
repeated, No stranger has been here
looked at her earnestly. Her eyes droop-
ed; she was CHASTITY pale.
well, my dearest said, let me muffie you
we'll; you are very imprudent in so exposing
yourself to the damp air.
/ wrapped her large shawl around her
from one of its folds there fell to the ground
glove 1t dropped from behind, and she did
not see it. picked it up and concealed it.
1t was lavender kid glove that had been
worn by man.
will not speak much of my feelings that
night. Hundreds of trivial things came rush
ing and crowding into my memory--all OF
them, each of them, confirmation that the
worst was true of her.
Her detection, her frequent weeping over
the letters, were now accounted Tor. Had
she not often aud often Withdrawal from me
in the evening, and staid long away, returning
with overladen excuses? Had not seen her,
more than once OF late, drop letter into the
receiving box of the post-oflice, when she
might have put it in the mail bag at the
house? Had not seen her nervously start
ing at the slightest noise, when seated in the
twilight as the wincow in her little sitting
She walked into the house before me, and /
had time to collect myself pleaded head
ache, and retired into my library. Sac knew
that could never bear the presence OF any
one when i'll, aud | was sale from interruption.
Amidst the whiring dance of maddenine
thoughts no idea OF revenge on her had any
place. don't believe in the commonly re.
ceived opinion that love can be turned into
hale, | could not hate her. even thought
Iii of tba that oOnld n
fail TO be hers in this world lorevermore.
Rnt h;sn-he escape mel No. How best
IN nroeeed? Shall / go and question ms
Croom. who must from the stables sometimes
have witnessed their stolen interviews? No
NV Instincts revolted at the idea OF talking Il
groom about her, fallen angel though sht
was. | would do it all myself. MY plan
were soon formed. Early next morning.
rode to our little town and seht Dach 2y III
servant note to my wife, stating tnat wa
comnelled to start for the city that momen
~ maize some arrangements about my voy
sga and that | should be absent at least
wee<.. / then went to D, purchased
i;obt colored wig, large pair of green spec
tacIes and ydisguised with these and larg
heard and moust tache, returned TO our village
,,hare I engaged apartments opposite the pos
oaiee. There remained on the watch
Three days after my supposed departure
mn wiee's carriage drove up to the shop KEEP
~ ny tha nostmaster. Previous to her enterih
10 sbon. / saw her drop note into the lette
hoy After a few minutes deiay IN niaAin
,nrcbases she drove of again;
purchases the afternoon, tall, distinguished
,1,";o aSo - nan with travelling cap, its peal
lyons ,noirs dawn down over his face, entered tn
ctoSe' cSon felt this to be my enemy. lsaw MN
od;yo a latter from the ostmaster's Wiie an
.;,, Lecee 'aaiL swav. hurried to the shop AM