Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-11-10
afliscellaneous.
Parted and Reconciled.
A WifcS Story.
BY MARY J. ALLEN.

We had quarrelled, my husband and
|. 1t was not noisy or Il wordy quar-.
rel, only sentence on my side. sharp.
bitter retort on his then he went out to
his daily work, closing the door behind
him with unnecessary energy; while |
went about my household duties with a
sore heart.
What had come over John to change
him so ? was the question that put to
myself again and again but there was
never satisfactory answer. thought
knew his disposition well. High temper
ed he certainly was; but there were no
petty meannesses in his nature. lie nev.
er found fault with my domestic arrange.
monts, never fretted or scolded about
trihes- he was too manly for that. But
within the last three or four weeks he had
got into way Of watching me strangely,
as if he suspected something wrong, aud
sometimes spoke harshly and abruptly.
when | could not, foe my life, recall any
thing that had said or doue to offend
him.
Sitting down that afternoon with my
sewing, on the broad stone-step of our
vine-wreathcd and vine.shadcd back door,
pondered the matter seriously as had
done twenty times before. Was John
jea ous? That could not be, for, besides
few of the neighboring women with
their husbands and children, knew no
one in the city, excepting the minister OF
the church which We both attended, and
Johns employer, an old-timc friend,
Wilson Clarke, who had known US both
IN the village where we wero born, and
had been Johns groomsman when we
were married. No, it was not Jealousy
Was my husband contracting taste
for strong drink ? That would be worse
ttan al bat there was no danger. John
was a member of a Temperance Society,
pledged to total abstenoe. As boy and
man he had always been bitterly opposed
to every form of dram.drinking. Was
he sick +? Had he met with trouble in
his business? =? the last seemed the only
rational supposition, and the more | thot
of it, the more probable it appeared that
something of this kind was the cause OF
his altered manner. Dear John my
true, faithful husband? My heart smote
me tor the miserable doubts and suspic'
ions | had been entertaining.
At this instant a piercing, childish
scream reached my ear, and my mex
neighbor's little girl came flying toward
me.
"Oh! Mrs. Carson, please come quick
Mamma is going to die
Not little frightened, l only pausct
long enough TO snatch up my bonnet ant
close the door before hurrying to Mrs
Fry's assistance. She was in violent
spasms which lasted all the afternoon
and it was nearly dark when at last
found an opportunity to leave her and re-
turn to my own house.
My husband was there when went in
walking the floor like Gagged lion.
"Oh, John, I'm so sorry that cout
not be here to get supper earlier. Poor
Mrs. Fry has been in such dreadful
way"
The expression of his face stopped me
"Never mind the supper" he said
coldly. II have something to say tt
you"
.What is it. dear 7" l. asked, going
nearer and putting my arm about hi
neck.
He shook me off savagely.
I'm tired Of this hypocrisy"
Hypocrisy Oh, John "
He looked at me with little gestur'
of scorn and contempt.
"That pretty, innocent air is quit
thrown away on me. I've the cleares
proof now Of what | only surmised be
lore, and it is better that We should part
| have made deed of this place, trans
ferring it to you. l would not own j
new for kingdom. And after tomorrow