The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-01-25

for his coldness maddened me. Per-
haps I might.have succeeded if we had
been left alone, but Caroline Vivian
was with us. Her presence and indu-
encc ruined everything. Previously
she had seen my husbands devotion
and my neglect at their full, and no
doubt all she had said to him then of
his blindness and my worthlcssness
was bearing now its abundant fruit. l
could not endure her to see our position
was reversed and what was suffering.
| could not sue for her to see me reject
ed and during the months she stayed
with us, tried to act my former part
as closely as possible. So mad was I
in my false pride, that l have sacrificed
the happiness of all my Ii fc to it. ! sue
cecded so well in this miserable game
that | deceived both him and her.
left them constantly to their own soci-
ETY., while I was thirsting for one hour
of his. | rode, drove, visited, accord
ing to my own convenience and leisure.
/ L Npii7tNlNN't my llu7btNilNi
less than in former times. Justly laid
myself open to Caroline's interference
and reproachcs, but l would not bear
/ them. Violent scenes followed until
Maurice himself silcnccd her. He
wanted no champion of his happiness,
/ he said; cXpOstulation and reproach
would not transform my nature, or give
| him the wife he had cXpected-no third
person could Tighten the lot he had to
/ bear. The night Caroline went away,
| I threw myself at his feet bcsought
! him to love me-to believe that loved
him. Men are not impulsive, incon-
sistent, demonstrative, like us, and he
could not understand such conduct. He
called it caprice, policy, hypocrisy
said had worn out his regard; remind
ed me of this and that-careless words,
selfish actions, which I had forgotten,
! but he had brooded over in silent bit
terness and disappointment. Alas
alas! how black the catalogue ap-
peared!
"Thc tale is nearly told out, Aunt Sa-
rah. Since then things have gone on
worse and worse. His propriety and
GOODNESS have been always the same,
while my conduct has been actuated by
| passion, grief and resentment, pcrpetu-
ally at strife. BY turns I am neglect
ful and disdainful, roproachful and i'm
ploring. l love him now as he never
loved me. His patience and temper
ancc appear to me admirable in the
midst of my misery, for the uncertainty
of my temper and the discomfort of
our relations, embittor his life. Caro-
line has been once more our guest fol
the last week or two; and perhaps now
her presence does good, for it forces me
to a measure of quiet and consistency.
"To-morrow my husband leaves me
for Glasgow on important affairs. l
halfthink everything is not going right
in his business connection, but he never
talks on the subject, only he looks har.
asScd beyond his wont. lie said he
so, Aunt Sarah as my misery was got
tingintolerable, thought would SEND
for you. Now what comfort have you
to give me?"
Poor Isabel! could but clasp her in
my arms, and try to soothe her by my
affection. What chance she had of re.
gaining the happiness she had so rccl.
lcSsly squandcrcd, Ifclt very incompc
tent to decide, owing tony slight knowl
edge of Mr.. Lorimer's character, and
his immediate departure would preclude
the possibility of my forming a iudg
ment. "But, my dearest child" argued
zone thing appears to me absolutely
certain, that aman like your husband
with quick perceptions and scnsibility
can never resist the influence of YOU
love and duty if you will bnt try and
regulate their exercise. You must carr
his respect, constrain his affection, and
time must give you the victory. Provo
yourself worthy to be loved, Isabel
and he will love you"
81 cannot watt said Isabel, claspinf
her hands 81 want itat toncc-to-morrv
how! l shall never win it on system
7 But it grows dark, dear aunt; we mus
go down stairs. Come with me to my
drcs>ing-room till can find nerve ant
cOmposurc to meet him again."
CORciyded Heri wcck.