The Van Buren press., 1871-04-18

but turned from MN anu "ainSu ii t"e
hall
He stood for moment in silent aston
ishment, then followed, and took my
hand, though l kept my face persistentiy
averted.
"Violet, he said, "what is it? Are
you i'll, tired? was so sorry to keep
you waiting. but circumstances"
"Never mind the circumstances now!
exclaimed, pett!shly. !" i am very tired,
and now that you are safe, ! will go to
bed.
lie loosened his hold on my hand, but
looked after me, as l left him. with a
glance / shall never forget. l can see
him now, as he stood in the moonlight,
so handsome and noble; loved him so
well | wonder why | turned from him
that night Heaven knows how il panied
me, but the spoiled, wilful temper. that
has been my ruin, urged me on. Did you
ever speak harsh word to one you love,
and feel something within you prompting
you to speak another2 Then you undel-
stand how it was that left my husband
standing there, weary and supperless,
Violet, DEAR" he said, softly, as |
paused involuntarily at the head Of the
stairs, " come back and let me explain /;
you know ! have not kept you waiting
willingly. "
But went on without word, not to
our chamber, but to a dressing room ex-
clusivcly my own, and closed and locked
the door. am sure the Evil One must
have had control of me that night. In a
little while he came up stairs and tried
the lock of the door; then he called my
name softly but | did not answer-and
he went away.
A dozen times that night lifted my
throbbing head from my tear-wet pillow,
to go out to him to implore his forgive
ness; but pride kept me back. Thus |
lay sleepless till morning. 1t was wild
morning, too, with drifting rain, and sob
bing winds, and the sea laundering on
the strand.
My husband was already in the break
fast-room when | went down. He turned
and kindly said
Good morning dear, Are you quite
we'll y
"Quite well, thank you, responded,
crossing to window on the opposite
side of the room.
He rose, and hoped was coming to
my side; but he only looked at his watch,
and said, " BE kind enough to let me have
my breakfast at once, Violet, if you can,
l am in hurry, have important matters
to look after.
rang the bell at once, and placed my
self at the head Of the table. When tue
cheerless repast was over, and my hus-
band rose to 30, felt the hot tear blind
ing me. could not let him leave me in
anger. had made step toward him
wnen he spoke, and his words reused all
my old anger and discomfort
"Violct, he said, . may not he here
for dinner. Don't wait for me; it is i'm
possible"
Make no excuses, sir, Ireplied
haughtly; "none are needed.
Oh! those sad, reproachtnl eyes. But
his lips uttered no rctort He only said
"Good bye, DEAR" and went out.
| watched him from the window, hid
den behind the curtain, as he drove away
through the driving rain.
The memory comes to me like terri
bic dream! Toward evening my agony
became uncnduraple; and AS the rain
ceased, determined to ride over to my
fathers house in the neighboring village.
About half way we met close carriage
containing lady and gentleman.
"Why that's Mr.. Reade" exclaimed
nv coachman, as the vehicle dashed past
our phaeton.
One glance confirmed his words. 1t
was my husband; and by his side was
h same woman that / had seen with
him once before. My resolution was ia
ken on the instant. ! ordered my ser
want to drive back to Swans Nest.
ould not wait my husbands return
said to myself; could not even charge
him with open inidelity; l would go
away at once, and never let him see my
face again.
In a short time was ready for my de
parture. ! wrote a note for Horace tell
iEc him that believed our marriage had
been an unwise one, and that l should be
happier with my own friends l begged
him not to hunt me down like fugitive ::
but TO leave me to follow tho bent Of my
inclination. | put the note upon my Ia
bic, and then went out from the house
where my life had been so happy. In
less than week my father and were on
our way to Italy.
At the expiration Of two wretched
years we returned and ! learned from
our lawyers that my husband had sailed
for Ida, first making over to me, all his
real estate.
He never, said the lawyers, expects; to
return. / went back to Swans Nest.
Everything was unchanged. The rooms
remained just as l had left them. My
husband would not let them be touched,
the heusekeeper said.
"Had she ever heard from him, !
askcd.3
"Only once, she said. "and then the
letter contained another; 1t was on my
dressing table"
went for it myself and read it sitting
there in our old room.
"Violct, +" it began, "yooi must pardon
this intrusion. II will be the last for, in
all human probability, the disease which
now consumes will soon give me a grave
in foreign land. But there are few
things | wish to say before ] die. ! was
wrong in not explaining all to you from
the first. but | desired to spare You which