Litchfield enquirer., 1867-05-16
WHOLE NO. 224l.

ms ne would not do. Resolutely prudent. he had no thought of marrying for love: ne ne 10 looked foryaEa sfar other nuptials where an amplefosf1 sa1af4a willing bride awaited him., Meanwhile, if Josephine appeared preocupied or distant, ii any thlng' however slight, led him to imagine that hls power grew weaker, love or vanity awoke. Gentle words and acts of tender meaning made her restless, hopeful. till the next interview brought fresh disappoint- ment and fresh misery. Foolish child! wasting the brightness of youth upon this tlnsel dream! Poor heart! to which dark eyes and gayety and grace represented all that was noble or desirable in life.
 She bore it till she could bear no longer, She must escape, must 90 away from fhis l constant trial and temptation. " Mamma" she said, when they were alone one day, there is something wish so much to do. hope you will not refuse permission
 1 Something reasonable, I trust"
 May spend a few weeks at the Sacred Heart? It will do me good, I am sure, and the Sisters will be glad to have me. Sister 1 Constance used to say I would come back to them"
 The mother was startled and looked grave. l You know retreat is not unusual" continued Josephine, pleadingly "It is very common before confirmation, and many people make one in their own homes from time to time"
 ''Can not you do so too?' "Our family is so large, mamma; we have so many corners and goers. There every thing IS arranged for quiet and seclusion. Do consent"
 ''l can not until have seen your fath- er'
 Mir. Courtenay shook his head at the pro- posal; it seemed to him that his fears were hurrying to fulfilment. His wife, after little thought 1t wisest to indulge the fam cy-a brief experience of recluse life might be the best cure for any penchant toward it. With some misgivings yielded to her views, Josephine received the consent she so de- sired. Victor inquiring for her at his next visit learned whither she had gone. The news filled him with disquiet. What if this what would life be like if her share in it were finally forever withdrawn? Our own selfishness is certainly safe thing to trust to, only should be careful not to overrate it's strength ill any one direction, Victor began to faer lest he had not exercised this care.
 In the quiet cloister the unquiet heart implored for peace There was a sweetness Ill this life, given to good works, measured by devotion that would once have drawn the young girl with & resistless charm. She felt it now, but with the consciousness that 1t could no longer satisfy her. Earthly memories vexed the sacred calm; as the days passed they gained in power. She 1 yearned to return, even to the troubles l from which she had fed '"The world," that great vortex of vanity and danger, was dearer than this seclusion, hallowed | though it were. It was sad lapse from early, fervor; she felt it so. but the truth remained.
 They made it feast-day when she came home again. There was little banquet, seasoned with great rejoicing All had missed her, missed her gentle ways, her soft companionship, yes, and even the little sanctities at which they sometimes smiled.
 'I hope you haven't set your heart upon returning," said John, ''because I for one shall never give consent"
 No" she replied, 1T have no wish to go." How genial, how happy seemed the dear home-life, how bright all the beloved faces! Only one was missiug, and that she would not think of now. 'Oh Josie" exclaimed Katharine, sud | denly, "we've such piece of news for you about Victor! Guess"
 'ls he going to be married?" she asked, while dull, dead certainty weighed down her heart.
 Pretty well, upon my word" said John. Here's young lady just out of 8 convent, and her first thought is of matrimonyp'
 "How could you guess so soon?' said Katharine. T should have thought of his going abroad again, or having 8 fortune left him, or anything sooner than that. l We had not the least idea of it; I only heard 1t yesterday at the Depaus. It is that Miss Romaine-dont you remember seeing her last winter at Mrs. Sutton's concert?-a tall, striking-looking girl with buckeyes, She is an heiress, they say, which will make her none the worse match for Vic tor''
 Here it was then. She had so longed for news of him, and now it met her at the very threshold.
 ''No great compliment to you girls" ob- served John. "Here are three of you, not so bad-looking, and the youth breaks away from your united charms to bestow himself elsewhere"
 ''What an idea!'' said Katharine. Cone would as soon think of marrying brother as a cousin" at these words Josephine hid her poor little secret yet deeper in her heart,
 'I think Victor has behaved very badly to us, said Mary. ''We had right to hear such news from himself, not to get the first word of it from our acquaintances.
 ''For that matter, said Katharine, care lessly, ''I suppose that we and our claims are the last things he has troubled himself about; he has had more interesting things to think of. He has hardly been in the house since you went away" she continued to Josephine; but of "course we never guessed how he was occupied"
 All these weeks she had been dreaming of him, seeing him in his accustomed place hoping that he missed her sometimes; while he, absorbed in the new love, had never once thought ofher!
 ''Well, you may take it so quietly if you like" said Mary, in answer to Katharine's explanation: "but shall let him know what think the very first time he comes here'
 She had soon an opportunity. Before the evening ended Victor appeared. ... ' Josephine was the first object of attention naturally. He shook hands with her in a