The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-03-23

he sprung down, flushed and eager
"Violet," he cried, the moment he
caught sight of me, "are you still
up? I am so sorryr
He approached, both hands ex-
tended. But I turned from him
and walked to the other end of the
porch.
He stood for a moment in silent
astonishment, then followed and
took my hand, though I kept my
face persistently averted.
'Violet," he said, ''what is it?-
Are you i'll, tired? was so sorry
to keep you waiting, but circum-
stances"
"Never mind the circumstances
nowr' exclaimed pettishly; 81 am
very tired, and now that I know
you are safe, I viii go to bed"
He loosened his hold on my hand
but looked after me as I left him
with a glance 1 shall never forget.
I can see him now as he stood in
the moonlight, so handsome and
noble; and I loved him so well! 1
wonder why I turned from him that
night. God knows how it panied
me. But the spoiled, wilful tenn
per, that has been my ruin, urged
me on.
Did you ever speak a harsh word
to one you love, and feel something
within you prompting you to speak
another? Then you understand
how it was that I left my husband
standing there, weary and supper
less.
"Violet, DEAR" he said softly, as
I paused involuntarily at the head
of the stairs, acome back and let me
explain; you know I have not kept
you waiting willingly"
But / went on without a word,
not to cur chanbsr, but TO a little
dressing room exclusively my own,
and closed and locked the door. I
am sure the evil one must have had
control of me that night. In lit
tie while he came up stairs and tried
the lock of my door; then he called
my name softly, but I did not an
swer-and he went away.
A dozen times that nightI lifted
my throbbing head from my tear
wet pillow to 60 out to him and i'm
plore his forgiveness, but pride kept
me back. Thus I lay, sleepless,
till morning. 1t was wild morn
ing, with drifting rain and sobbing
winds, and the sea laundering on
the strand.
My husband was already in the
breakfast room when I went down.
He turned and said kindly:
"Good morning, dear. Are you
quite well?"
"Quite we'll, thank you," I re-
sponded, crossing to a window on
the opposite side of the room. He
arose, and 1 hoped he was coming
to my side, but he only looked at
his watch and snid:
"Be kind enough to let me have
breakfast at once, Violet, if you can.
1 am in a hurry, for I have impor-
tant matters to look after"
I rang the bell at once and placed
myself at the head Of the table
When the cheerless repast was over
and my husband rose to go, I felt
the hot tears binding me. I could
not let him leave me in anger. I
had made a step towards him when
he spoke, and his words reused all
my old anger and discomfort.
''Violet," he said, ''I may not be
here to dinner. Don't wait for me;
it is impossible"
"lIake no excuse, sir,' I replied,
haughtily; "none is needed"
Oh, those sad, reproachful eyes!
But his lips uttered no retort. He
only said. Goodbye, DEAR" and
went oHt.
I watched him from the window,
hidden behind a curtain, as he rode
away through the drifting rain.
The memory of that day comes
back to me like a terrible dream!
Toward evening my agony become
unendurable; and as the rain poured
in torrents, determined to drive
over to the neighboring village
About half way we met a covered
carriage, containing a lady and gen
tlelnan.
"why, that's Mr.. Reader' ex-
claimed my driver, as the vehicle
dashed past us.
One glance confirmed his words.
II was my husband, and by his side
was the same woman that I had seen
with him once before. My resolu-
ton was taken on the instant.
ordered my servant to drive back to
Swans Nest. / would not wait my
husbands return, I said to myself;
I could not even charge him with
his infidelity; I would go away at
once and never let him see my face
again.
In a short time was ready for
my departure. wrote note
for Horace, telling him that / be
lieved our marriage had been an un-