The Monitor-register., 1896-08-21
Huldah's ear. "That will build me a

The wife turned and looked straight in
her husbands face. What she read
there was enough. She fell heavily for
ward. There was loud outcry from the
girls. Mr.. Reeves said reassuringly:
'She has only tainted. The excite
ment has been too much for her. Why,
John, man, you look like death. It's
only faint"
Hnldah had quickly recovered from her
fainting fit the day of the fire. But she
was not the hopeful, sunny Huldah of the
past. The doctor talked learnedly of
the shock to her nerves, claiming that
time would set all things right. 1t was
not alone that her step was slower and
her face paler. There was a look of
nameless terror in her eyes, reserve in
her manner that awed her husband and
children. John tried not to notice this
change. He could not ask his wife what
had come between them; he was power
less. She listened wearily to his plans
and when consulted regarding the new
house, shrank from the subject with
unmistakable dislike. The building went
on. The house was to be, small though
neat and convenient. 1t was hurried,
as the weather was growing cold and the
granary was not mfortable.
Early in the winter the house was COM
pleted. The evening before the day when
they were to move in John went at dusk
to replenish the fires. As he opened the
outside door the sound of low sobbing fell
upon his ear. He advanced quietly to
the door of the sitting room. 1t was
Huldah. She was sitting on box, her
head resting on the window sill, while
her form was trembling and quivering
with the inten,ity of her grief.
John stood for moment, thinking.
Was it forever past, the beautiful home
life of love and trust? Was there no for.
giveness in Huidah's nature for such sin
as his? If so, better know it now. His
heart beat SO loudly he wondered that she
did not hear it. He looked out into the
gathering shadows of the night, out over
the snow covered fields, then up to the
cloud yelled sky.
81 will" he said, shutting his teeth
hard. "I will make one appeal"
He advanced, and kneeling by Huldah's
side encrcled her with his arm. 1t was
not the first time that she had shrunk
from his embrace, but it vas like sword
thrust.
"Huldab," his voice was hoarse with
emotion, 81 know what is breaking your
heart. have been weighed in the balance,
dear, and found wanting. And yet, it
was only for one moment that the wicked
joy found lodgment in my soul. At the
instant that your eyes met mine, re-
joiced that the house had burned. l re-
membered how | could build a smaller
house and pay the rest of the money on
the mortgage. The next breath, Huldah,
saw that morally to be glad it was but
one remove from wishing it done-from
doing it. You, with your noble ideal OF
life, saw my soul in that moment of sin.
Huldah, has that sight forever destroyed
our happiness?"
"Is this that you have told me all?''
She raised her head, that in the fading
light she might see his face.
A dim comprehension Of her meaning
came to him. He grew very pale, but
replied promptly. GAS God sees my heart,
it isl
Silence fell between them When
Huldah spoke her voice was sharp with
pain.
"And l have wronged you, have
thought that you, the father of my chill
dren and the man love, was criminal
1 must speak, although my words forever
kill your love for me-"
She paused. He made no reply, but
tenderly drew her to his breast.
''John, thought you burned the house,
that you knew of the chimney's unsafe
ness when you started tue fire. That was
the way interpreted the awful look that
came into your eyes. /" her voice failed
her.
Still he did not speak. His only move
ment was to draw her still closer to him
"You know how perfect has been my
trust, you can imagine something of wha
| have suffered. Had l loved less it would
have been easier to bear. o John, John
can you forgive me?''
Again John Turner's wife had {
glimpse of depths in his nature of which
she bad never known. There was some
thing almost divine in the tenderness tina
illumined his face.
"Fully, freely, my wife. l neve
dreamed that you thought me guilty o
aught save rejoicing that the deed wa
done. 1t was only momentary impulse
Huldah. Had it been more, the difference
between that and the act would have beel
slight. Huldah darling, the past shal
go. Here, in our new home, we will
renew the VOW to be one in heart unit
| death.'