Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-12
Parted In Anger.

"Agnes, you silly little wife, you are no
really out of temper about such trine
Look up, and laugh, or | shall think you ar,
pouting in earnest"
The young husband of two months stand
ing put his hand under his wifes chin. a,
he spoke, and strove to raise the pretty face
that was hiding its charms under a frown
But Agnes Ray shook off the loving hand
and turned away coldy.
You may call it out of temper or pont
ing, whichever you choose" said she; " bul
| am annoyed with you, and don't feel at al
inclined to laugh. You promised to take
me to the Morris party and now, when
have been looking forward to it, and pre-
pairing my dress, and promised myself sew
eral dances, you say you cannot 90 because
your father is ill. He is no worse than he
has been, and will probably linger on in this
state month after month. Do you suppose
am not to go out all through the winter p
81 don't know, dear Agnes" replied her
husband, gravely. Il hope my father may
get better soon, but at present he is in very
precarious state, and | could not with pro.
priety go to this party, or let you go. But
can you not make yourself happy at home
with me, so early after marriage, my dar.
ling? You used to say you preferred quiet
evening with me to any party, and you see
nothing of me all day. Will you give me a
kiss before go 2"
Nonsense, Edmund never expected
YOU TO be so unkind," retorted Agnes, an
grily. had better have stayed with papa,
who never refused Inc any pleasure, than
have married to be tyrannized over like this.
| wish hadn't married"
Edmund Rays pleasant, good-looking face
darkened with pain and annoyance at his
wlfe's fretful, angry words, and he struggled
to regain his temper before he answered her.
i" You are saying what you do not mean,
Agnes" he said coldly, land you will be
very sorry for it afterward. | shall come
home by the five O'Clock express, aud if you
have recovered your temper you can order
the horses, and we will go for ride before
dinner. Good-by."
Leaving the house, for the first time since
their marriage, without a parting kiss, Ed
mund Ray wended his way to the station,
and was soon being whirled along toward his
office in New York while Agnes, struggling
hard to repress the tears that would force
their way to her pretty blue eyes, stood by
the window, listening to the sound of the
train dying away in the distance.
They had parted in anger, and, woman
like, Agnes would have given worlds now TO
have recalled all that she had said, and to
have given the kiss of peace he had asked
for in vain. She loved her young husband
very dearly, and knew his worth. But she
was spoilt child; and he in his deep love,
was fostering her willfulness and impatience
by yielding aud ministering to her every
wish.
Edmund Ray was barrister, living some
thirty miles from the city, in pretty part
of Westchester, and consequently Agnes
passed many hours of the day alone but
never had she felt them 50 long aud weari-
some as they were that morning. She or
dered the dinner, re-arranged the flowers in
her vases, wrote her letters, aud "a note u
Mrs. Morris, to say they would be unable to
come to her party, and long before it was
necessary put on her riding habit, that she
might be ready for Edmund when he came
home then, ordering the groom TO bring the
horses round at five o'clock precisely, she
took book, aud sat down in her pretty little
drawing-room, to while away the time till
she heard the train approaching that was to
bring her husband home. She had no fears
as TO their meeting after their quarrel. She
knew well enough that she had only to give
a smile to receive one III return from her lOv
ing husband. and with happy light in hel
eyes she took up her book, aud was soor
deep in its absorbing pages.
Ever and anon she would raise her head
to listen for the roar of the approaching
train but it did not come, and she Resumed
her reading. The tramp of horses feel
aroused her, and going to the door, she found
the groom standing there with two HORSES
ready saddled.
You are too early, Bayne," she said
" 1t is not five yet, and your master has moi
come home"
Beg pardon, ma a'am,' replied the man
touching his hat, "but it's ten minutes pas
five and | didn't know whether may b,
you'd ride to the station for master, The
'spress amt in yet"
Agnes paused and hesitated. She rather
wished to meet her husband quietly at home
that she might tell him how sorry she va,
to have behaved so i'll to him but her pretty
chestnut mare was prancing and curyeting
and gathering her skirt around her. she said
"Very well, Bayne. Bring Zuleka near
and you can mount julius, aud walk HON,
from the station"
The man obeyed, aud they rode gently I,
the little country station" AS they ap
preached it she saw her father-Mr. Wyn
lard-who lived a few miles oil, riding
towards it, and turned her horse to NEE
him.
"Well, Agnes" he exclaimed, smiling
"are you come to meet your husband, like
dutifld wife am expecting Linton dowi
TO spend few days with me- and am COM
to look after him. How late the express is
III run in and see how soon they expect it.
He dismounted from his horse aud entere,
the station, while Agnes sat outside watching
the people coming 10 meet their friends o
depart themselves. Mr.. Wyniard stage,
several minutes in the station and when h
rejoined her, there was look on his pal
lace that made his daughters heart give
dull thump at her side, aud made her fee
sick aud faint.
BE brave, my girl, and make up you
mind to bear little suspense" he said, lay
ing his hand quietly on hers. There ha
been an accident on the line. The tiy
O'Clock express has gone over the elnbank
ment, aud several passengers are killed an
wounded. | am going up the line now o
an engine they are going TO send, and II
bring Edmund back with me, hope. Trus
in God, my child. lie may be all safe an
sound. Go home aud wait as patiently a
you can
Agnes heard him through. Her heart wa
beating with slow, heavy pusations, and
numbness stole over her whole body; bu
she did not cry or faint. One deep, heav
breath she drew then in cold, hard tonei
she said
MAY not 20 on the engine with you :
My poor child" said Mr.. Wyuiard, "yo
must not. Edmund would not wish il
Probably he is staying to help the wounded
Go houe, my child; | must be oil. B
bravel"
She stopped and kissed him quietly an
silently; and then, with fixed, unseein
eyes, aud pale, stony face, rode home Hon
10 the empty house, the loud.tcking clock
and the dull gnawing agony OF her fearlu
waiting Slowly and calmly she passed u