Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-06-29
lood. "a secret correspondence !

IcuCHcu MS saJe just us Annie enJeTeu Jne
house. The light from within cleaned
down the path a moment, then the door
closed, and all was dark and cold
"She does WELL" mutterel Robert,
bitterly; "she shut me out Of her confidence
long ago"
Suddenly the door rc-opened. Annie
came quickly out and down 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 Hurried
motions.
"What shall | do?" she exclaimed, in
low, troubled tone, close beside him.
His jealous mood swept over him like a
wave; he stepped suddenly out before her,
saying, in cold, hard voice, as he thrust
forward the envelope.
Perhaps this is what you have lostT
His unexpected appearance, passionate
gesture and rude tone gave Annie a terrible
shock, Starting backward catching her
breath with gasp of fright and pain, she
lost her footing on the icy SLOPE and fell
down an embankment Of several feet on to
the carriage drive below Terrified and
remorseful, Robert was beside her instant
ly, 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 a
disposition to fever, and ordered entire
quiet, Annie scarcely spoke. The doctor
was surprised to see one usually so bright
and brave now apparently entirely sub
dued by pain. How could the good man
know that the husband, whose loving con-
Germ was shown in every look and move
ment, had been the cause of the accident
and of The mental distress, beside which
the physical pain was as nothing2 Annie
had been perfectly aware of her husbands
state Of mind when he sprang out upon her.
She knew that he suspected her Of some
thing wrong; that he was angry; had pre-
judged her cruelty. With all her sweet
ness of temper and warmth of heart, she
had good share Of personal dignity and
womanly pride; and to be condemned UNI
heard, on mere mystery of appearance,
was more than she could well brook. She
was too much hurt to offer any explana-
ton. How could she when he had asked
none? No; she lay perfectly still, sub
hitting paSsiyely to all they did. Robert
was more wrctched than she, for he felt
guilty. The white patience Of his wife's
face, her silence, and the bandaged arm
across her breast reproached him horribly.
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.
eff you please, Mr.. Dana, I'll stay with
her while ysu has your tea. It's all ready
below, Sir"
Annie did not speak so he went down
and made forlom attempt at neal.
How empty the room was without its
queen how utterly desolate! He kept
irving to think what he had SAID IN that wild
moment at the gate. He knew he had
called her by every loving name while he
was bringing her in, but he could not re-
member that she had returned ono kiss,
one loving word. She had only said,
"Takc 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 a rcprcsscd tone he had
never heard in it before. By-and-by he
went back, sending Martha away Annie's
eyes were shut, but he felt sure she was
not sleeping, Her checks were brightly
flushed, her breathing rapid
"She is as unhappy as am" thought
Robert. GLOW can she have the perfect
rcpose the doctor ordered till we under
stand each other and are reconcled ? This
silence is killing us both Somebody must
speak first. 1t is she who is in the wrong,
surely it is; and yet why cannot look at
her and believe it? Why do | feel myself
the guilty one {"
lie leaned over his wife and studied her
sweet face eagerly as these thoughts
agitated him. She felt him near, and yet
how distant! Hot tears sprang to her
closed eyes, hung on the thick lashcs, 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, and he broke down.
ooh, Annie, my wife, speak to me look
at me! am afraid | have been harsh and
cruel to you; but why, why do you have
a secret from mel"
Wide open, honest, fearless were her
eyes then.
"Robcrt! Robert! It was no harm.
Could you not trust me? But | will tell
you every thing. never will have an
other secret. / have hated myself all the
time. But it was only story, for sur
prise; and | am so glad that need not be
sly any morcw And then she burst into
such wild sobbing and crying that Robert
was fairly frightened.
lie had never seen her beyond her self
control before, and, like all usually quiet
and serene persons, her giving way was
entire, and most distressing. 1t was a
long time before she could tell her story
cohercntly. In vain Robert begged her to
wait till morning, assuring her that he was
perfectly satisfied, She felt she could not
sleep till every cloud was cleared away !;
81 dC laSC-ln'ellupleu Wy Hel oNh ledio
or laughter, by his tender caresses and
self-reproaches-the whole history of the
manuscript, the table, and letters was
told. How the husband felt, as every
link in the chain proved her so tender and
true, can not be described. Suffice it to
say that he, in his turn, laid bare all his
heart before her, and that upon these
hours of suffering and confession, of humili-
alton and joy, their mutual confidence and
love were rebuilt upon tried and perfect
ed foundation. The next morning a reply
was mailed to the editors letter, the limo
cent cause of the trouble 1t had contain
ed merely request for permission to
alter the name Of Mrs. Cynthia Sullivan's
story;" and, with Annic's acquiescencc,
the correspondence ceased, and "Mrs.
Cynthia Sullivan" was known no more in