Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-07-28
So IN Advance

effort to retain. And was not the
way to win the way to keep a
new light broke into Mrs. Howland's
mind. She began to see things in
herself that were very far from be-
ing in harmony with her life when a
maiden; things that would have
certainly repelled a lover, and were
they bonds for husband?
These thoughts startled the awak-
enlng wife. The old memories were
revived, bringing back old scenes.
pictures warm with the hues of love
came out of the dim past.
Is the cup broken, and the wine
spilled?" she asked of herself sGod
forbid" came from her lips in audi.
bic ntterance. Then she left the
chamber where her children sIant
and with silent feet went SLOWLY tn
the apartment IN which she had left
her husband alone. On the wav
she paused, stood still a moment. then
returned. The gas was burning low.
She threw up the light, caught a
reflection of herself in a toilette
glass. One glance suficed. That was
not the style IN which che had ap-
pelred before her lover. Taking
down her hair she applied the comb
rapidly. fer some minutes and then
arranged the glossy masses with
taste and skill. Next the soiled.
tumbled wrapper was remox a. and
her person attired in neat fitting
dress, around the neck on which was
laid snowy linen collar, fastened
by small coral pin, her husbands
gift of other days. Already her
cheeks were in a glow, and her eyes
tilied with light. One long glance
at the mirror revealed wonderful
transformation. How the oldmemo-
RES were erowding upon her. How
soft her heart was growing! How
full of kindness was every thought
OF her husbandl Her lips were
athirst for kisses!
And now Mrs. Howland left the
chamber again. Her slippered feet
gave no sound as they moved over
the carpet, and she came to the open
door of the sitting room, without be-
traying a sign of her approach.
There she stood still. Mr.. Rowland
was not at the table reading, as she
had left him; but at his secretary
which was OpeE. He was reclining
his head on one hand, and was gaz-
ing down at something held in the
other, and seemed wholly absorbed.
For more than minute he remained
in this fixed attitude, his wife as
still as himself. Then a long sigh
trembled on the air, and lifting the.
object on which his gaze was Tivet-,
ed, Mr.. Rowland pressed il to his
lips, kissing 1t almost passionately,
three or four times. a wild throb
leaped along Mrs. Howland's veins.
Then her heart grew still, as in the
presence of some unknown but. stu
pendous evil Something impelled
bert spring forward and read his
mystery, and something as strongly
held her back. As she stood, pale
and in tremor, the object was kiss
ed again, and then returned to a
drawer in the secretary, from which
1T had been taken. In this act, for
an instant, the miniature of a lady
met the gaze of Mrs Howlandl
Locking the drawer her husband
placed the key in his pocket, and then
resting both arms on the writing
leaf of; the secretary, buried his
face in them and sat motionless.
Turning away as noiselessly as
she had approached, Mrs. How
land fed back to Der chamber in
wild alright, and sat down painting
in bewilderment. AS soon as
thought began to move IN deter
inmate way, the first result was a
flood of indignation, q burning sense
of wrong; andit was only by an ef-
fort that the outraged wife could
hold herself back from con
fronting her husband and demand
ing to see the miniature. A calmer,
but not less painful state succeeded,
in which conscience whispered of
Indifference and neglect. Had she
turned, habitually, her most at
tractive, or her least attractive side
to her husband? Had she kept her
self lovely in his eyes, lovely in
temper and lovely in person -? Her
heart sunk; it grew darker all
around her; life seemed crushing
out. I M
"Who is it2n This question
marked a change in the current of
Mrs. Howland's thoughts. Rapidly
she passed in review of one lady
friend and another, but with ont an
TO fix suspicion. Then
times and seasons in which her hus-
band was absent from home. were
dwelt upon. Once a week regular.
ly he went out in the evening, occa.
sionally twice. The regular abb
sence was for the purpose Of attend-
ing literary society-at least so he
had informed his wife, Now, for
the first time, doubt of his truth
crept in; and this doubt was the
sweeping away of all the foundation
on which her soul had rested.
For a long time Mr.. Rowland
remained sitting at his secretary,
with his face buried in his hands.
At length rising with slow, weary
notion, as Of one exhausted by bod
ly ormental exertion, be drew ont
ais watch.
Half past ninen was ejscnlate6.
q surprise. And then be looked
through the door, over towards che
.hamber to which his wife went
With the children, and stood listen
ng for some sound. All was silent.
For short time he moved in an un-
,asy, irresolute way about the rooms
md sitting down, tried te. hnd re-
ief in the pages Of book, but IN
little while. the volume closed IN
ais hands. Thought was too busy
m another direction to dwell even
with favorite author
s,Ten o'clockl" The bell was
.inging its clear notes from a neigh
,oring steeple. Mr.. Howlaud start
d up, and turning out the light
vent to the sleeping room. His