Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-12-06

over the carpet, and she came 70
the open door OF the sitting-rcom
without betraying . sign OF her
approach. There she stood still.
Mr.. Rowland Was not at the table
reading, as she bad lefs him, bot al
bis secretary which WA open. he
WAS reclining his head on one hand
and gazing down upon something
held in the other, and seemed
wholly absorbed. For more than
q minute be remained in this fixed
attitude, bis wife was As still As
himself. Then . long sigh trem-
bled on the afr, and then lifting the
object toward which bis gaze uas
directed, Mr.. Howlsnd pressed IL
to his lips, kissing il almost pas
sionately, three or four times A
Wild throb lesped along Mrs. How
lands veins. Then her heart grew
still Is in the presence OF some IN
known but stupendous evil. Some
thing impelled her to spring for
ward and read this mystery, and
something as strongly held her
back. As she stood, pale DOW, and
in q tremor, the object was kissed
again, and then returned to draw
er in the secretary, from which IL
was taken. In this act, for an in
slant, the miniature Of . lady met
the gaze OF Mrs. Rowland. Lock-
ing the drawer her husband put
the key in his pocket, and then
resting both arms op the lea. OF
tie secretary, buried his face in
them and sat motionless.
Turning away as noiselessly a.
she hsA approached. Mrs. Rowland
fed hack to her chamber in wild
fright, and sat down painting and
in bewildeIment. As coon a.
thought began TO move in q deter
mined way, Tire first result was a
food 81 indignation, a burning
sense Of wrong, and it was only by
an effort that the outraged wife
could hold herself back from con-
fronting her husband and demand
ing to see the miniature. A calm
er, but not less painful state sue
ceeded, in which conscience whis-
pered Of indifference and neglect.
Had she turned, babitually, her
most or her least attractive side 10
her husbandl Had she kept her
self lovely in bis eyes-lovely in
temper and lovely in personl Her
heart sunk; it grew darker and
darker round her; life seemed
crushed ont.
"Who is itr This question
marked change in the the current
OF Mrs. Howland's thoughts. Rap
idly she passed in review one lady
friend after another, but without
an incident to fix suspicion. Then
times and seasons in which her bus-
band was absent from home were
dwelt upon. Once . week regularly
he went out in the evening, occa-
sionalIy twice. The regular absense
was for the purpose Of attending a
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 sure foundations
on which her soul had rested.
For a time Mr.. Rowland remain
ed sitting at his secretary with his
face buried in his hands. Atlength,
rising with slow weary motion, as
IL Of one exhausted by bodily or
mental exertion, he drew out his
watch.
"Half-past nine y was CALCULATED
in surprise. And then he looked
through the door over towards the
chamber whittier his wife had gone
with the children, and stood listen
ing for some sound. All was silent.
For a short time he moved in m
uneasy, irresolute way about the
room. and sitting down, tried to
End interest in the pages Of a book.
But in . little while the volume
closed ia his hand. Thought was
too busy in another direction to
dwell even with favorite arthor.
"Tcn O'clock" The tell wae
ringing is clear notes from neigh
boi ing s'eeple. Mr.. Rowland start
cd up, and turning ont the ligbt,
went over TO the sleeping-room.
His wife was in he'll He spoke to
her, brt she ~ not answer.
care yon asleep" No motion