Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-05-05

Catherine and her husband visited the
DANES dwelling.
Many a future visit was paid by the
same parties to Hannah, and on each
successive occasion the old woman
looked narrowly, though .unobstrusive-
ly AS possible. into the wife's feelings,
with motherly anxiety to know if she
was happy. For, though Hannah, see
ing GATHERINGS affections deeply en-
gagged. and made light Of her own early
remarks upon the strange and most
unpleasing gloom. occasionally. if not
uafrequently, observable in the look
and manner Of William Hutton, the
old woman was never able to rid her
mind altogether Of misgivings on the
subject. For many months after Cath
crimes marriage. however, Hannah
could discover nothing but open, un-
alloyed happiness in the air and con-
yersation of the youthful wife. But at
length Hannahs eve did perceive
something like a change.-Catherine
seemed sometimes TO fail. when visit
ing the cottage, into fits of abstraction.
not unlike those which hal been OBJ
served in her husband. The aged dame
felt greatly distressed at the thought
of her dear Catherine being unhappy.
but for long time held her peace on
the subject, trusting that the cloud
might be temporary one, and would
disappear.
II was not so, unfortunately. Though
in their manner 10 each other when to-
geiher. nothing but the most cordial
affection was observable, Catherine,
when she came alone 10 see Hannah.
always seemed prey TO some uneasi-
ness which all her efforts could not
conceal from her old friend. Even
when she became for the first time a
mother. and with all the beautiful pride
of a young mothers love presented her
baby 10 Hannah. the latter could see
signs of secret grief imprinted on
GATHERINGS brow.
Hoping By her counsel to bring
relief. Hannah at last took an oppor-
tunity to tell the Young wife what she
had observed. and ear estly besought
her confidence.
At first Catherine stammercd forth
IA hurried assurance that she was per
tcctly happy, and in few seconds
belicd her words by bursting into
tears, and owning that see was very
unhappy.
But | cannot Hannah, she cx-
claimed, Il cannot tell the cause-not
even 10 YOU.
Don't say so, my poor Catherine.
replied Hannah 1T is not curiosity
that prompts me to interfere.
"Oh, no, Hannah" replied the
young wife Il know you speak from
love 10 me-
We'll. then, continued the dame,
open your heart 10 me. Age is
good adviser.
Catherine was silent.
Is Your husband harsh to you|
asked Hannah.
No, no., cried the wife: 'man
could not be kinder to woman than he
is to me-
Perhaps he indulges in drink
in
Hannah, you mistake altogether,
was GATHERINGS reply; my husband
is as free from all faults as ever man
was
NV dear child said the old wom-
an, almost smiling as the idea entered
her head you are not suspicious-not
Jealous
4 have not had a moments cause,
Hannah answered Catherine. No,
nv griets arc not Of that nature. He
is one of the dearest and best Of hus-
bands
Old Hannah was puzzled at these
replies, as much as she was distressed
by the open avowal OF GATHERINGS
having some cause for sorrow. but
seeing that her young friend could not
make up her mind 70 disclosure at
the time, the aged dame gave up her
inquiries and told Catherine to think
seriously Of the propriety Of con6ding
all to her.
Hannah conceived that on mature
consideration Catherine would come
| to the conclusion of seeking counsel
to the cottage.-And she was no,
wrong. In few days after theil
late conversation, the young wife
came to visit Hannah again, and af:
ter little embarrassed talk, entered
on the subject which was uppermos'
in the minds Of both.
Hannah, said Catherine, Il feal
you can serve me nothing-I fear NJ
living being can serve me. Oh Han
nah good as my husband appears t.
be-good as he is-there is SOM
dreadful weight pressing upon hi
mind, which destroys his peace-an'
mine too. Alas! the gloomy fit
which you as well as have notices
in him, are not, l fear, without cause
Catherine wept in silence, and the
continued: 'All that ! know of thi
cause arises from his expressions
his dreadful expressions-while he il
sleeping by my side. Hannah h
speaks in broken language of murder
Of having committed murder! |! PEI
haps a woman deceived and killed b
him. A Catherine said this, sh
shuddered, and buried her face in tbs
of the babe which she carried in hs