Litchfield enquirer., 1867-05-16


 a whip while she practised, and if any thing went wrong he did not spare her. You needn't look incredulous; it is true She led life of public splendor and private wretchedness. How we'll I remember her eyes! They were the saddest ever saw in any face"
 Begin, our Maibran," said Victor, turning to favorite aria. Katharine was ln excellent voice; she sang without appa- rent effort, and there was power, soft ness Tn her tones, rare and delicious. Why did skill in music suddenly become to Jo- seph1ne the one great and desirable attain ment? Her own voice, sweet, slim little pipe, had not been thought worth cultiva- ting; she sang sometimes, but as a child does, careless of effect; nor had it once oc- cured to her that pains taking and study were worth while in her own case, familiar as they were in Katharine's. Now she pondered the possibility of patient labor and great achievements by-and-by; some thing that Victor could praise as he was praising her sister When he called for song after song, and hung entranced upon the notes, that new, strange trouble came upon the young girl; combat it as she would, it still prevailed.
 "I am tired" said Katharine, at last, "and dare say the audience sympathizes with me-" She left the piano and walked about the room, little excited by the mu- sic and the images of beauty it evoked; perhaps, too, a little elated by conscious ness of her own powers. l Victor watched her admiringly "You would be splendid Norma" he said; of the real Grisi style. And we haven't even a bouquet for you after the feast you have given us"
 He crossed to the mantle, and breaking a creamy hyacinth from its stem, placed it in Katharine's raven braids.
 "A stolen tribute!' she laughed. "The hyacinths belong to Josie,"
 "Ah?" he said, oarelessly. "I will send l one tomorrow to replace 1t. Josephine was amazed at the storm of feeling that swept over at this simple act It seemed the crown of all the evenings cruelties. Was it not enough that she had sat unheeded, longing for word or look, while all was lavished on another? Must even her poor blossoms go, plucked by his hand, to adorn that rival? Escaping to Grief and jealousy thrilled and tormented tions, she fell on her knees, beseeching a
 
 The little room had been Q sanctuary hitherto the other girls smiled solletimes, half kindly, half amused. at it's religious character. The numerous pictures were all devotional; the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and many another well-known subject; over one arm of the large crucifix hung rosa ry, ebon and gold, blessed by the Holy 1 Father himself In this haven had Jose phine found refuge from the slight troubles that disturbed her tranquil life; here had been always peace and consolation. Now she gazed long upon the Mater Dolorosa; that image of holy sorrow rebuked but did not still her own selfish grief She looked at the marriage of St. Catherine, remem- ! bering how often she had dreamed of giv- ing herself one day to the same Mystic Bridegroom. Unworthy aspirant caught so soon in the meshes of an earthly pas sion
 The promised flowers came next morn ing, not hyacynths alone, but balmy helio- trope and blue, pathetic violets, and roses, their fair, odorous petals tinged with a faint bloom. Clustered in an alabaster vase, they made poem eloquent of May
 Josephine began her penauce Just glancing at them, enough to feel their beau- ty, she devoted them to her atoning pur- pose. Katharine was going out that even- ing; when her toilet was nearly finished, her sister came into the room. "Here is your bouquet" she said, hold ing out the handful of beauty and fra grance. "Sit still while I fasten these TO- ses in your hair; I have saved the prettiest for that"
 "Oh, thank you," exclaimed Katharine; but it is shame to rob you so.' "They would be faded in @ day or two, at any rate;;" and she secured the roses in their place. Katharine was gone a minute later, the flowers with her; How Josephine would have loved to hang over them, study their beauty, drink in their odor; when they were faded, to keep their sere remains among her treasures! They had served a better use, she thought.
 Days grew into weeks. Josephine was often absent from the evening circle. "What little saint it is!' thought Mary, knowing how those hours were spent which the rest of them gave up to gayety. The father was disquieted.
 "I don't like this excessive devotedness, he said to his wife. ''I wish she cared for the natural pleasures of her age instead"
 "I see what you are afraid of" returned 4AAAo. OOuA eCAdJ. cOoCtu1uO udS dlWtyS been different from other girls; from her earliest childhood she delighted in those acts of piety which to most people are un- welcome duties Still I am not alarmed, though should be as sorry as you for any such result. I don't want any nuns or priests in the family. hope my children will get to heaven in some easier way.'
 "But suppose she should have true vo- cation?"
 " It would be sacrilege to oppose her then, of course; but don't think it will prove so. Romantic girls have often fan cy for convent; had myself when I was young."
 You, Agnes!''
 "To be sure. And here are my husband and seven children in spite of it. Doesn't that encourage you? Let the child meet some one she can like, and this romance will take an earthly turn. She will give up few masses and confessions, and settle down into Q good wife and mother
 Those who loved her best knew little of her. If Josephine thought sometimes of convent, it was no longer because her soul aspired to an entire consecration-it only seemed possible refuge from her griefs. Her accustomed peace had fled. Often the sound of music or of laughter broke on her retirement, often she found