The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-03-23

y = 4
whom, though strangers, he had never
been tavorite7 Or, was it tho mystery
Of her proceedings alone which had
given offense, aad vas she no longer,
welcome visitor at Ash Grove? At the
latter thought, Eugenia's cheeks burnt
more than at the former. 7hot attack
cd her fears, but this her pride, anu
stung her to the quick. If her pres
ence were no more desired there, she
would go; she cared not whittier, nor
t. what fate, so that she removed her.
self aod her children from the curse Of
receiving hospitality grudyingly be-
slowed But then, agaio, she pouder<d
with her pretty foot upon the fender,
and her eyes, bent in painful thought,
upon the Aickerlng fre-words, an ex-
planation, quarrel, what might they
not lead to :? iuto what depth of mis-.
cry might they not plunge her husband
into what labyrinth Of deceit her,
self? Eugenia knew but too we'll the
crime of which Henry Archer had been
guilty-she knew the peualy ettendant
on discovery Of that crime; and ne
had taken care to paint it to her i'm
agiuation in the worst of colo,s. Aud
With that recollection, all IDEA Of resent.
ing an expression of the feelings called
forth By her own mysterious conduct
faded away. She had deserved it, she
said to herself; she had stopped to
meanness and talsehood, though for his
sake, and she must bear the consequent
ces. No wonder they despised her no
wonder they could not find it In their
hearts to give her welcoms-who could
do so? Who, under existing circum.
stances, could believe in or trust her !?
No one!
But then her heart echoed interroga-
lively, "No one ?" and q warm glow
rose up ioto her pale, faded cheeks as
che whispered softly, "e1cept one, and
I believe he would, thank God!'
And the softenlng influence of love
which had never been INDUCED in,
which had been born Of despair and
lived without hope, had yet the power
to enable her to subdue all feelings but
such as were antagonistio to herself,
aud to creep humbly upstairs with the
intention Of seeking com fort iu the So
ciety Of the little children who still be-
lieved in her.
Her way led past Der mothers bed
| room, in which, even before she reach
ed it, she could discern the sound of
wrangling and expostulating voices ;
and, as she placed her foot upon the
landing opposite, the door burst open,
and with the exclamation, "Why not
ask Eogenia herself? is it fair to with.
hold the knowledge of such an accuse.
tion from herW Marion stood upon the
threshold, much confounded at seeing
who had overheard her question.
But Eugenia re aimed perfectly
calm.
"Here I am" she answered, "ready
to reply to any accusation brought
against me. Let me know what it is,
Marion p
She saw that the moment of her fate
was come, aud she felt like a wild uni.
nal driven to bay.
! Mrs. Elliot looked Infinitely distres.
scd.
II had no idea you we're SO close a,
hand" she said, spolosetically "but
am sure that you wvuld rather be treat
ed with orenuess-that you can hav,
nothing to conceal-Mamma ~ sh,
continued, re-enteriny the bedroom viii
her sister at her heels, s'here is Eugeni;
herself She overheard my words, an,
wishes to have an explanation of them
now, at all events, we shall see the mat
ter settled.-And remember, Eugenla,'
she added, firmly, al she turoed towart
her wi b indignant eyes, II believ
nothing of it that I feel it to be a,
Infamous falsebood from beginning t.
end, and that it is but on a par viii
the rest of Antoinette's conduct
"Hush, Marion !" said Eugeni.
gently ''you should rever make SUI
> of any thing in this world.-Mamma
what is it that you have heard of me
lit is only fair that I should hear
ALSO"
. ut was not in the slightest dcgrt
= necessary that you should have bee
told Of it at all, Eugeuia," replied Mr.
:. Beale, who held an opened letter in h,
+ hand. "Your sister, Antoinette, writ<
. to me confidentia'ly, as a daught<
should do to her mother; and, had
not been for the ill.timed haste Of yor
= sister Marion, her confidence woul
have been respected. I should n,
> have been the one to Break it,"
I'll "Hou would have kept this lett
}. from Eugenia,' - interrupted Mrs. Ellio
o hotly, 'aud gone on forever suspectin
that the libellous stories contained in
4 were trae ; but I know them to /
J., false, and Antoinette should eith'
!. prove her words, or be made to acknow
= edge that they are so.-Eugenia, da
j. ling !'-.-with sudden return of h'
o old tenderness-'pray don't tremb
D like this you have but TO open yot
r mouth, to tell Us that they are untrue.