Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-05-11
PRHDE'S PENALTY.
(Concluded.)

consented. | mad SAID that on tnat yer'
day | would commence arrangement
for the purpose-and could break my
word? Could l 60 to her, and beg hcl
not to leave me, aud that when l my
self had proposed such step? My prid'
again forbade me, and l obcyed its die
tates but there still remained within
me that, on cool reflection, she hersel
would refuse.
determined to consult lawyer il
whose secrecy l could confide, ant
make such arrangements as were abso
lutely necessary. Ibid SO, and patiently
awaited the result.
My wife did not appear again during
that day. the next day found a note
on the breakfast table. | opened it
aud found that it contained propose
to the effect that she should be permitted
to Join some friends, who were about ,t
visit Italy, ostensibly on account of hel
health that she should remain absen
one year, and if, at the expiration o.
that time, she still lived, that a perman
ent separation might then be arranged
but at present such thing should moi
be made public The note was writer
in 4 calm, clear manner; yet though,
the desire to avoid the publicity in the
affair betrayed some token Of relentiug
! replied to it at once, saying that
should make no objection to such an ar.
rangemeut, or TO any other that might
suit her convenience and with the note
sent large amount of money for her
own use.
The next day we received an invita-
Etion TO party, which, contrary to her
late habits, my wife accepted. She sen,
i, TO me in note, stating the fact, and
saying that she thought it would afford
an excellent opportunity to make known
to society her intention of going abroad,
[ signifed my assent.
During the time that interviewed
saw my wife only at table, where she
appeared as calm as ever, though per
haps a trihe paler than usual. Houl
after hour had looked for her pride tc
fail her. Deeply injured as she hat
been, | could not bring myself to be
lieve that, loving me as she had once
loved me, and l fondly hoped still did
she would really leave ME ; but having
once made public her intention, l fearet
lest she might no, shrink. Would sh'
do 50? Oh, how anxiously l awaited
tha, eventful night and when at last i
came, | was dressed and in attendance
at an unusually early hour. As pacet
the floor auxiously, hoped, prayed
that her heart would conquer, that love
would subdue pride but how could l.
how dared | hope it? What indgntie
had she borne from me }! Ought not II
humble myself and ask her to forgive
me?
Had she came in that moment
would have done so, but she came not
[ wondered how she would dress. Per
haps some carelessness in her appare
would betray that her mind was to,
much pre- e-occupied to think of it.
glanced at the clock it was time tina
she should be there. Just then she en-
tered, and as pale and calm as usual.
looked at her dress it was dark velvet
trimmed with rich lace she wore jus
such dress in happier days because
admired it, and thought it became he
style of beauty. But now what wa
her object? Did she desire to please m
still, or was it habit? l glanced at her
, on her neck she wore a suit of diamonds
which l had given her shortly after ou
marriage. She lad rarely worn ther
at first, because she thought them un
suitable ornaments for one so young
but now, when she looked so queenly
and moved so gracefully, they gave he
grandeur which startled me.
| could detect no careessness in he
dress, no agitation in her mauner. He
hand trembled not when | led her t
the carriage. She showed no emotio
during our drive to the scene Of frstvliy
Could this be the light-hearted girl
had married but a few short years ago
Could this cold, this haughty, this impe
! rial woman be the gentle, the loving, tn
delicate wife of other days? | locke
back on the happy hours Of our betrott
al, on the happier days of our earl
married life. Irecalled her ioyousness {
spirits, her frank confidence of manner
her deep love, our former happiness, on
present misery; and | remembered
was l who had wrought the change. I
a few days we should part, perhaps fo
ever, while our hearts were full Of low
for each other. Never had [ adore
her as | did at that hour, and | dete
mined that she should not leave me.
h During the evening the voice of som
/. one singing attracted my attention. III
tones seemed familiar | could not /
mistaken, the voice was hers; and pla
= ing myself in position where cou
see the singer without being seen by he
q l listened until the song was finished
When it was finished she raised h'
ID eyes for moment, but only for m
ment, and then commenced another sor
--one | had never heard before-tt
story of proud heart broken! TT
words seemed to come from her vel
II soul. The tones of her voice will rir
: in my ears until they are stopped |
death. A deep, painful silence pervade
tho room. Tears stood in mauy brig
:, eyes, and many lips quivered with EN-
= 4;an Than aha caaa aad and rosa fro