The Republican journal., 1871-02-23

Esther was pleased and felt glad to be the
mistress of such fine well stocked mansion
Again gratitude swelled her bosom; and she
felt the tears start to her eyes. because Of
NIatlandS kindness towards her; but when
he said glcefully-
There now, don't 90 to crying, my girl ;
scant stand that and clasped her in
his arms, to comfort her, she felt herself re-
coil; and before she knew it, the thought
had darted through her mind
But, oh if he. only were not my hus-
bandt"
CHAPTER IL
Esther had been Mrs Maitland for year ;
and she had discovered that although it was
in all sincerity that her husband had declared
to her former employers that she was no
longer anybody's servant, he had made an
assertion remarkably wide from the truth
She had found Mr.. Maitland out and learn
ed that she had entered a service which
death alone could end A stiff nccked old
bachelor as ever walked had Maitland been,
and the stiff neck never limbered. Esther
had guessed by the elevation on top of his
head that it would be difficult walking con-
trary to her husbands wishes; and, there
FORE from the first, she had endeavOred to
conform to them so she could discover what
they were. This however was no easy mat
ter; for Maitland was sccretive and silent
by nature. Esther did not talk much her.
self. but she liked to hear talking, and she
did wish that her husbands tongue was
more active. But it was no use. lie hated
conversation, and he hated company-he
hated noise, and he hated confusion. If his
wife dropped her scissors on the floor, or hit
the poker against the blower, he called that
noise; and if she left her work upon the
10, bor CHI la sofa (Nhara
she wanted them to bc), he called that con-
fusion, and felt and acted displeased lie
wanted to see and know everything that
Esther was doing; and the minute he dis
covered what it was, and how she had plan
ned it, he wanted her to do it some other
way.
When she procured such books as she de-
sired to read he was at hand to examine
and object to them and many a time had he
obliged her to return them unperuscd. Dry
law books and political papers he was never
weary of hearing her read to him. Having
no business, he was forever sticking about
the house. which is enough to destroy a
Woman's interest and satisfaction in the COM
pany of the most delectable of men; and it
won't do to tell how sick poor Esther be-
came of his presence.
'Oh! dear" she thought. eff he would
only lose his property, and SO have to go to
work.
But he didn't lose it; and he fused and
tigeted abont, dabblng in what was none
of mans business, for five long years.
Many a time during that period had Esther
almost regretted her former servitude but
as he always meant to be kind to her she
would not be SO ungrateful as to quite regret
it. Notwithstanding she felt that she was
but little better than q slave, and that she
had paid dearly for a home.
Esther had always traded at her old en-
ployer's store. One day she entered it to
make a purchase, and saw, standing with
his back towards the door, u gentleman who
looked familiar yet strange.
''Who can he be ?" thought Esther. She
renewed her gaze at him; this time he bow
ed and half smiled though with consider
able hesitation in his manner.
1t vast must be the vision of her youth
But how changed-and she, when he left hel
weeping in despair, was twenty-five years
old-now she was thrty-ninc. On his face
| time had plowed many furrows, and his once
| glossy, dark hair and beard were almost
white; but the eyes, the smile, the express
sion. Ah she could see little alteration
there. lie WAS ut her side at once. asking
after her welfare, and saying rapidly she
could not clearly understand what but il
was something that caused a rushing in hel
| ears and a choking sensation in her throat
"Come out" she said and they went forth
together He then told her how he had en-
tered the store for the purpose of inquring
if she were yet there, or if those who kept il
knew Of her whereabouts; that before he
had been able to push through the crowd 0
customers she had appeared before him. III
had been in doubt of her identity until ht
saw her SO earnestly regarding him. H'
had come, he said, to say that he was a free
man, and that his hand and heart were her
if she would make him happy by accepting
them.
These were the words that r1lng like Tho
knell of doom in Esther's ears.
She never interrupted him but when ht
had finished his address she pointed towards
the mansion at whose gate they were an,
said with visible efforts:
''This is my husbands house. Will yor
walk in?"
''The stranger drew back quickly; ant
with white circles forming all about hi
mouth he said:
''Oh! Esther but is is Just. Good bye :
and wringing her hand, he turned and walk
ed hastily away.
Esther knew not whence he came, no
whittier he departed. When she entered he
house Maitland began as usual, to catechis'
her as to where she had been. &c.
"Don't talk to me now. l feel very i'll,
his wife said, turning a face deadly whit
towards him. He was terrified, and sprans
to assist her to seat. at is nothing serious
only help me up stairs, and let me sleel
awhile,' she said.
He did as she desired; and she RENAME,
in her chamber until summoned to tea.
The next day Maitland was obliged to 60 tt
transact business in a neighborng city; ant
upon his return; the train in which he was
ran off tho track, and several passenger
were killed Poor Maitland was among
them.
Two months had passed since her unfortu
nate husband sfuneral and Esther, the widow
sat in her silent home scarcely rnorc lonely
than she had been when Maitland sat there
with her. The shock which she had expert
enced when his mangled frame was brought
to her, and the upbraidings of conscience thai
had panied her when see saw that the un
loved husband was dead, had, in a good dc.
gree, passed; and she now sat working quiet
| ly with tranquil face. But the work fell
| from her hands, and the calmness passed in
stanty from her face when "Mr Angus
Bernard" was announced by the servant.
Whoever came to the dwelling of the
Maitlands was always ushered into their sit
ting-room What their parlors were kept
for, nobody ever knew. And thus it came
to pass that so suddenly appeared before the
widow her early lover. Her agitation de-
prived her of the power of rightly ordered
speech She stammered out something in
tended for civil welcome, and motioned her
oo 1lo,. +o n ooot ho rti Ia and tho ro