Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-11

1t seems to me that you are most bounteously
endowed. You have fortune, friends, a lovely
wife who is devoted to you. That last, best gift
alone should make you the happiest of NOR
tails for life, and chase every shadow Of dis
content from your heart" -.......
I was silent for moment, then broke forth
with an abrupt question.
"Selwyn, does it seem to you that Olive is
happyr
He looked at me with surprised air, which
I felt, rather than saw, as my eyes were bent
upon the ground"
"My dear fellow, what an extraordinary
question" be rejoined. "Have you any rea-
son to suspect her of being otherwisef"
"That is no answer, selwyn," said I. IL
want your opinion, not counter.question."
my opinion But how can l possibly
haze an opinion on such subject? never
supposed for moment that it was one which
admitted of q doubt concluded that her
happiness, as we'll as yours, was an incontro-
yertible and thoroughly established fact"
"You think, then," pursued, "that she has
cause for happiness~
"Cause for happiness? Surely, I think so,
Phil. Being your wife, and the recipient Of
such affection as yours, she could scarcely fail,
I think, to be happy"
"Unless something were preying upon her
mind" I persisted "some private trouble
which she was unwilling to disclose. l have
fancied that she looked depressed of late"
"Only a reflection Of your own grave as
pect, Phil, you may depend. Besides-excuse
me for saying so-Mrs. Lyndon would scarce
" fall so far short of that confidence in you
which, as your wife, she must feel, as to con-
ceal from you any subject of uneasiness or
anxiety which troubled her."
This was home-thrust; WINGED under it,
feeling bitterly that this perfect confidence of
which he spoke did not exist.
"Of course" continued, in lighter tone.
II did not mean that I suspected any serious
trouble or anxiety on her part, because of
that would be aware but some trife may
annoy her, to which she may attach greater
weight than it really possesses However, all
this is, Idaresay, is mere fancy Of mine and
I should not have spoken of it at all, had you
not questioned me first about my seriousness" !"
"Then your seriousness, as you call it, arises
solely from the idea that your wife is not as
happy as you wish her to be?
"Isuppose itdoes-at least, I can't attribute
it to any other cause"
"Then let me tell you, my dear Phil, you
are wearying yourself needlessly. Believe me,
from triAing misunderstanding like this,
great unhappiness often arises, especially be-
tween married people. You see take a
friends privilege, and speak to you plainly.
know you won't take offence at what say"
--- "Certainly pot. Fejoined. ."You have,
given me too many proofs of the interest you
take in my welfare for me to doubt it, or mis-
interpret your kind intentions. But as to
misunderstanding, Selwyn, there is nothing of
that sort, I assure you, between Olive and my
self. Iwould not have you suppose so for an
instant"
"Oh no, did not suppose it. merely al
luded to the possibility of such thing. But
now, to change the subject-have you had
news from Lyndon latelyP'
Our conversation, thus directed into new
channel, did not again revert to its former
theme; but afterward, in rejecting upon
what had been said, felt regret that I had
spoken as freely as had done to selwyn.
Nothing but his powers of persuasion could
have led me thus to disclose my mind. l was
careful after that to feign in bis presence an
ease and gayety which I was far from feeling,
to induce him to think that the disturbance
of mind I had betrayed had entirely passed
away.
With Olive, in private, it was different.
So uncomfortable had the constraint between us
now become, that I resolved one day to break
through it, and endeavor once for all to es-
tablish the confidence without which, I was
sure, we could never really be happy.
I chose an occasion when Selwyn was ab-
sent on ajaunt of some days duration in the
neighboring country; and repairing to my
wife's sitting-room, where she was alone at her
work, sat down beside her and gently drew
the embroidery from her hand.
my dear Olive" said I, won't you give
me your attention for a few minutes? Iwant
very particularly to speak to you"
"Certainly," she answered without hesita-
tion, but with some surprise in her glance
then seeing that I paused, she added: 81 hope
nothing is wrongf"
II hope not, either" said I. "It is just
that which I am anxious to find out"
"You speak in enigmas," she rejoined, with
faint smile; but thought an embarrassed
look came into her face.
"They shall be made plain. Olive, tell me
truly, are you happy here?"
The question was an abrupt one, and evil
IDENTIFY startled her.
II like this place very much, Philip" she
replied; "why should not be happy here, as
we'll as anywhere else?"
"That is not the point of MY question. l
mean, are you happy in your present life, ir-
respective of this place, or any place?"
A flush came over face. Her glance fell,
and she paused before answering. My heart
throbbed painfully. This seemed like con-
firmation of my fears. But directly her clear
eyes were raised again to mine, and she took
my hand.
II am not entirely happy, Phillip; but I
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