The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-21


fashion. Her popularity spread, and
her name was on the tongues OF the but
tertles that fit to and fro in the SUM-
shine of society. And Arthur ColbuIn n
went back to his counting-house and be-
came eDgrossed in his business. He
had married solely for the sake of haV-I
ing mistress in his mansion; that OBJ
Ject attained, he was Satisfied. OF love
ne knew nothing. OF affection, he had
heard it told OF In story books, but to
him it had no interest, Tor it was never
quoted on 'change. .....,...
Do you wonder that, thus situated,
the Tongue OF scandal at last reached
Caroline Colburnp False the rumors
were; but still they dritted to and fro,
sin king not as they should have done, to
the depths OF oblivion, but waited by
the gales of envy and malice until they
reached the haven of her happiness, and
then the peace Of the innocent vile was
destroyed. ..... ..
Her husband devoted no time to trace
the ISLANDERS TO their source; but ac-
cepting them as truths, he proceeded to
act upon them; In the spirit OF one VINO
could turn his mother out of doors, he
attacked his wife, and charged her with
crimes from which her pure heart shrunk
with horror; with acts from which sue
recoiled AZ she would from the sting OF
a viper. .s...
So came the conversation we have
given at the commencement of our story.
Three years nad only passed between
the bridal ana the estrangement, and
three months after there was an entire.
lawful separation between Arthur Col
burn and Caroline, his wife.
Not because she had ceased to love
him in his course; the notoriety attend
ant upon it would nave proved too bane-
! tul tor her sensitive nature, and so she
Welded to the current sue could not
coutrol, and became divorced. But,
strange as it may seem, she still loved
him. Is not the love of women mystery
indeed?
Caroline returned to her fathers
| house; she was welcomed cordially by
all her former friends. There was no
change in their feelings toward her.
| They knew her to be innocent OF wrong
and guilt--iess of evil. They saw she
had suffered and was schooling herself
TO be strong; and tney placed no STUN
| bling-block in the way Of her stern duty.
| So passed ON the months. Mr.. Col
bum IN the city, busy with his merchan-
disc, and Caroline in the country, busy
with her memories. He at his da9fy
routine OF business, and she at her
household duties i'll the home of her
| childhood.
| SO PASSED the months. But at last the
voice of AN accusing conscience awoke
1 in the bosom of Mr.. Colburn. Slowly,
| but surely he was brought 10 feel that lie
| had been unmanly, unjust. The conVic.
ton was forced upon MIN that his sus'
| picions had been unGounded, aud thai
his vile was innocent OF any breach ol
| Wifely faith, or trust, or honor.
1t was hard tor the unyielding mer.
chant to forget his character In the man
Ii was hard for him to stoop from the
pinnacle OF his sell-esteem and humble
him self before the one ne had spurned
| But the secret sting OF conscience full
filed Its mission. Thus it happened
that one day there came to Caroline a
letter from the city, which she read with
mingled feelings of surprise and pleas
ure. twas as follows;
"MY INJURED WIFE-I believe that 1
have wrongeu you, L am ready TO atone
! for my fault. BY the articles Of separa.
| ton either OF US is flee to marry
again; but the knowledge that l have
done you injustice, leads me to offer a
renewal OF my vows. Will you come
| i
been desolate siuce the hour you
crossed its threshold. can you forgive
me for the wrong nave done you? Ii So
write to me the glad news, ana L viii
come to you. If you cherish animosity
against me, remain silent, and the 81.
lence will be Interpreted as sign that
we are irreYocably sundered. But this
do not fear. AT least hope that IL is
not SO, II this is TO be ans wered, let il
be soon. Yours, ARTHUR CoLBURN.'
So the truth that was crushed rost
again, and the error, wounded by its owl
poisoned iangs, died. And hope ant
happiness sprang up ph9nlX-Iike III tn'
heart of Caroline Colburn.
| Father Miller read the letter and shool
his head. His daughter asked his ADVICE
but when he counseled silence and scorl
she said:
"Father, If he has erred, sto err is hu
man, if he has suffered, 80 have l.
he regrets the past, remember that still
love him, and my duty joins hand will
nv love in bidding me return to hi
sldeW
"And will you go'''
"Yesw
"Well, daughter, as you will. Th
doors OF your fathers house Will neve
be closed against you. But remembe
that you husbands were, once, and the,
may be again."
And il soH
"lnen return to us; but to 60 back t
him no more"
II accept the conditions"
Two days afterward the merchant
usual package OF letters should nav
contained one addressed in the delicat
handwriting OF lady. But 1t did not
CaroIine's answer ran in this wise:
"Come to me and / will return wit
you to our home, in which l trust tn
angel of repose and happiness will ente
with us, never to leave it. l still Low
you with all the affection my womanl
nature is capable OF, else this would no
be sent toyou. Signed BY your own
"CAROLINE."
. Placed in the charge of boy accus
toned to do errands about the village
, and who chanoed to be at the farm tina
: morning, Caroline went about her usuu
} task with light and hopeful heart. Blu
} the boy, attracted by the stamp on tn
envelope, managed to take it of, an
, then dropped the letter in the Pos
: office. AS consequence, under the lay
requiring prepayment, the letter re
manned unforwarded. SO the merchan
: waited the expected letter. The day
|passed on until a week went by, and h
! said, "She is SILENT" and interprete
the silence into a refusal.
/ A,b Earolina waitad hie nnmInn nj