Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-09-24
From the Southern Home,
THE WIFE'S SECRET.

tion, saw 1t all at least she saw the
sad effects, and with womanly in
stinct, OWNED the cause. She had
been shielded, with jealous care, from
all hardships, and from contact with
every thing coarse or vulgar, until
one would think she must be little
better than spoiled child. Cold'y
calculating friends shook their heads
as they warned Mr.. Overton that he
was running his wife by Indulgence F;
while strong-minded women, Jealous
of her happiness, called her weak for
being guided SO unquestioningly by
her husband.
That was n sweet bird's-nest of q
place over which the cloud was hang
ing, ready to burst I'm fury on the
heads of the fondest pair this side OF
Eden. She was an orphan, without
any near relatives. The little prop
erty left her by her father had been
spent in educatiOn-not that flimsy
article so called by too many young
ladies of the present day, but q fine
head full of genuine, substantial
knowledge, which might be used up
on occasion. She had not neglected
the ornamental branches, but was
mistress of music, while many speci-
mems of her handiwork were display
ed on the walls of her home, in the
shape of rare paintings and drawings.
Now, that the shadow was length
ening over her beautiful home, and
the cloud growing darker on her hus.
bands brow, she enumerated her
many accomplishments, and to think
how she might turn them to account.
If she got pupils, the pay would be
so long coming, it might be too late
to do any good. He did not tell her,
and a feeling of delicacy deferred her
from questioning him. If he wished
her to know anything about his bus
iness he would surely tell her. He
had always told her everything he
thought would interest her. She
knew he was troubled about business,
and that was enough to enlist her
sympathy, though she was SILENT
What could she do? She shut her
self in her chamber, where she re-
mained until the hour for dinner
She met her husband with her usual
cheerful smile and kiss of welcome,
but her face was flushed unnaturally
and her eyes had restless express
ion, which attracted his attention
He askedif she were ILL.,,
80, no; / never felt better i'm my
life,n
"My birdie must not keep too close
ly within doors these bright days.
She will droop. am very busy, Ol
l would take you to ride this evening
You must walk more"
She smiled and promised to take
care of herself; then, as soon as his
footsteps died away in the distance
she returned to her chamber and did
not leave 1t until the approach a
night warned her she must superin.
tend her husbands tea. When Id
came, she had his toast and tea "
nice as it. could be. After tea sht
sang for kim the dear old songs, until
the shadow was lifted from his brow
aud he forgot in the pleasures of home
the vexations of his counting room
Two weeks passed, every day o.
which Minnie Overton spent in hel
chamber with closed doors; from
which she would emerge with flush
ed cheek and thoughtful eye, unit
her husband became really uneasy
lest she was threatened with fevel
which was likely to become an epi
demic In the city. Only twice, du-
ring the two weeks, had she gone
out of her house; then, closely veilet
she had gone to the post-office, with
out being recognized by any one
The first time, she had package t.
be mailed; the last time, she received
a letter which she hurried home t.
read. o, how her eyes sparkled a
she perused and re-perused that pre-
cious missive. That evening she wai
so full of some good news she coult
scarcely refrain from speaking out
but checked herself with the though
"not YETI He was unusually wear
led and distracted, or he must hav'
noted her appearance, and she wa
too full of that wonderful letter T.
employ the usual means to restor
him to himself
Weeks passed. Minnie was so con
: stantly employed in her chamber
her house Keeping was neglected
her neighbors complained that sh
was growing unsocial, and her hus
band could not fail to note that sh
was getting paler and more langui'
each day. He had been a great rea
der and took several literary paper
and magazines. He noticed of late
that Minnie would start suddenl.
whenever he took up n literary jour
: nal, and her face would flush and he
eyes droop, If he looked at her Will
he held the journal in his hand. Sh
> was evidently growing nervous
Her songs We're rarely heard, an
when she assayed to sing, they wOul
get strangely mixed up sometimes
He had insisted on her going on
more, and she told him she did g
sometimes.
One evening, as he was going hom
| earlier than usual, he met u clerl
| from the post-office, who had neve
, visited his house before with hi
knowledge. He stood and looked al
ter him, perhaps five minutes, the
walked slowly to the house. Sh
had never entertained any gentle
men visitors without his knowledg
and consent, and he and Mr.. May
were merely bowling acquaintance
She went out to meet her husban
with n face so radiant that he stoo
with asionishment. He held her oI
from him, and looked at her tiushe
face with sorrowfully earnest loo
. that she burst into tears and hid he
face in her hands. He seated her be
side him on lounge and spoke wit
a voice hoarse with emotion:
"Minnie, you shock me. What
; 1t all? Tell me, have | wounded 30
, In any way? 1 have seen with re
! gret and anxiety that you were be
, coming sadly changed; have feare
that you were not well. o, my wifi,
by our past happiness do not let m
see your heart change. l could nc
bear 1t now; have enough 10 Graz
me iIi my business. i came earl
this evening, because ! was too mis-
: erable to remain on the street; an
what do / see? My wife strangel
/ excited, and a man, whom scarcel
recognize rs an acquaintance, jus
Loo ,,f,,f. az hnnua Mippia I'm God