Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-14

husband was infatuated by Mr.. Castle
and one good natured gossip thought il
her duty TO enlighten the young wife,
end made an especial visit for that pur-
pose, but with small reward for her
charitable purpose. Whether she sue
ceeded or not she never knew; for Kitty
suddenly grew SO stiff and naughty she
was obliged to pause midway ia one OF
her insinuations in regard TO Mrs. Castle,
But she must someway have become
wiser IN the mystic lore Of loves FOR her
cheeks became psler aad her sunny
smiles were less frequent, and when che
bent over her darling Willie, tears often
mingled with the fervent kisses she
pressed upon his brow but she uttered
no complaint or reproacb, though she
could net fail 10 perceive that Frederick
was cold and absent, that his caresses
for berself and child were fewer.
Only once, when he remarked, quite
unfeelingly, that she was getting thin and
pale and losing all her good looks, she
burst into tears and left the room. De
cdedly the most injudicious thing she
could have done under the circumstances
for Fred thought she was growing peeyish
and conira>ted her pale, sad face, 80
seldom lifted to his now, with the old look
Of couiding, fond love, with Mrs. Castles
sprighlly, beaming countenance, always
liz with smiles at his approach.
He whistled one of Mrs. Castles songs
and drummed on the table for while,
then went out oftbe house. Poor KITTY !
il was sad morning for her. She felt
she was losing her husbands admiration
and affection, and could not tell why
She grew sadder and sadder She would
not cherish jealous thoughts though they
would intrude sometimes, and behaved
like az angel to Mrs Castle.
So the summer and autumn passed
away. One evening Frederick had just
returned after an absence Of some weeks
the interval had been a long and dreary
one to Kitty. His absences were fire.
quent and prolonged now. She had
striven to lnd in his short, cold letters
.shost and cold undar Pratencs Of Prassi"g
duties--the love that was burning at her
own heart. Alas she felt that it was
not there, and the consciousness had made
her CooisieP almost heavy, and the bright
glad smile had vanished from her pale
sad face.
But when he returned her heart had
bounded joyously once more, and she had
greeted him SO teuderly that be could
not but return something of the warmth
and affection that welcomed him back
Bot there was no token Of love and re-
membrance for either wife or child.
Kiuy's unselfsh heart would no. have
demanded aught for herself, but she
would have been satisfied and happy had
there been even a triaing gift for her
boy. Ooly that morning she had watch
ed the return Of Thomas Mansby, and the
exultant pride Of the mother as she strove
to teach the boy to blow the littl4 gaudy
trumpet his fathers hand had bestowed
Kitty had bitterly felt the contrast; it
was not that she coveted gifts but she
did crave the love that brought to Thom-
as Mausby's wife and child these little
tokens Of fond remembrance.
Kitty had spread the tea-tablo with
more than ordinary care to please her
husbands taste, and returned to the parlor
20 call him. He had fallen asleep. She
bent over him and softly imprinted a kiss
upon his lips.
"Deares,, dearest Isabel--my life, my
love-" be murmured in his dream, and
claspng bis arm about her, there dropped
from the unclosed hand miniature Of
Isabel Castle.
Kitty started as if an adder had stung
her, and sprang to her feet a changed aud
altered being.
When Frederick opened bis eyes he
could hardly recognize h gasping,
frenzied woman beside him as bis gentle
Kitty. Her face was ghaslly; the great
hollow eyes seemed to be sinking rapidly
into her head, like those who are in
their death agony. The blue, livid lips,
refused TO utter the sounds that were
struggling for utterance. She did not
faint, her grief was too sharp for that,
aud besides it was not quite new or un-
expected. Kitty had had, without her
self realizing the exteut ofherfears, some
vague misgivings that all was not right.
Her wild fearless eyes were fixed on the
miniature that hing conspicous over bis
breast, as he started up at kiiiy's wild
cry.
aWhv is MI this, Kitty 2" be said, at