The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-07-12

poor Annie, carrying all good resolu-
tions away like food. "A secret COR
respondence! A feigned namel What
could it all mean?" Crushing the hate
full envelope 10 his hand, he strobe
fercely on, determined to show it to
her and demand to be told all. he
reached his gate just as Annie entered
the house. The light from within CLEAN
ed down tho path moment, then the
door closed, and all was dark and cold.
"She does WE'LL" muttered Robert,
bitterly; "she shut me out of her con-
foeuce long ago."
Suddenly the door re.opened. Annie
came quickly out aud dowa the avenue
toward him. Does she see him? Oh no !!
She is searching for the Lost envelope.
Her husband drew back into the shadow
of the hedge, watching unseen her fur
ried motions.
"What shall I do?" she exclaimed,
in low, troubled tone, close beside
him.
His jealous mood swept over him like
wave :; he stepped suddenly out be-
fore her, saying, in cold, hard voice,
as he thrust forward the envelope:
"Perhaps h,s is whatyou have lost !"
His unexpected appearance, passion
ate gesture and rude tone gave Annie 3
terrible shock. Starting backward,
catching her breath with gasp Of
fright and pain, she lost her footing on
the icy slope, aud fell down an embank
meut of several feet on to the carriage
drive below. Terrified and remorsefal,
Robert was beside her instantly, only to
find her lying, white and silent, on her
side, her left arm broken under her.
Neither of them ever knew very clearly
what happened during the next half
hour. Robert took his wife into the
house. The doctor came, set her arm,
prescribed for disposition to fever, and
ordered entire quiet. Annie scarcely
spoke. The doctor was surprised to see
one usually so bright and brave now ap-
pareutly entirely subdued by pain. How
could the good man know that the hus-
band, whose loving concern was shown
in every look and movement, had been
the cause of the accident and Of the
mental distress, beside which the physi-
cal pain was as nothiug3 Aunie had
been perfectly aware of her husbands
state of mind when he sprang out upon
her. She knew that he suspected her
of something wrong; that he was angry;
had pre.judged her cruelty. With all
her sweetness Of temper and warmth of
heart, she had a good share ofpersonal
dignity and womanly pride; aud to be
condemned uDhsard, on mere mystery
of appearance, was more than she could
we'll brook. She was too much hurt to
offer auv explanation. How could she
when he had asked none? No; she
lay perfectly still, submitting passively
to all they did. Robert was more
wretched than she, for he felt guilty.
The white patience Of his wife's face,
her silence, and the baudaged arm
across her breast reproached him hoi-
ribly. He showed the doctor out, and
returned to the chamber. Annie did
not look up. Martha, the cook, who
was very fond of her young mistress,
was sitting beside her.
"If you please, Mr.. Dana, . I'll stay
with her while you has your tea. It's
all ready below, Sir"
Annie did not speak; SO he went
down and mads forlorn attempt at
meal. How empty the room was with.
out it's queen! how utterly desolate !
He kept trying to think what he had
said in that wild moment at the gate.
He knew he had called her by every
loving name while be was bringing her
in, but he could not remember that she
had returned one kiss, one loving word.
She had only said, "Take care, Robert;
it is broken" and afterward, "Don't
mind it does not hurt much;" but her
eyes had been averted, and her voice
had repressed tone he had never heard
in it before. By.and.by be went back,
sending Martha away. Anuie's eyes
we're shut, but he felt sure she was not
sleeping. Her cheeks were brightly
flushed, her breathing rapid.
SShe is as unhappy as am," thought
Robert. "How can she have the perfect
repose the doctor ordered till We under
stand each other and are reconciled !
This silence is killing us both. Some
body m1st speak first. It is she who is
in the wrong, surely it is ,and yet why
can not look at her and believe it?
Why do feel myself the guilty one"
He leaned over his wife and studied
her sweet face eagerly, as these thoughts
agitated him. She felt him near, aud
yet how distant! Hot tears sprang to
her closed eyes, hung on the thick
lashes, ran over her burning cheeks,
but she dared not look up. Pride was
afraid of giving way. Robert saw her
lip tremble, her tears fall, aud he broke
down. -.
aOh, Annie, my wife, speak to me |!
look at me! lam afraid l have been
harsh and cruel to you; but why, Why
do you have secret from ne!"
Wide open, honest, fearless were her
eyes then.
"Robert! Robert it was 10 harm.
Could YOU rot trust me? Butt will
tell YOU e.cry thing. 1 never will have
another secret. I have hated myself all
- -. D-k..k -., o.to . atopv for