Year: 1860

/ SOiiuO-1 tufGtOt "iAlO N>e'' 49,
ed FRIEND" as 1 used to, and sometimes
hard cruel thoughts steal into my heart;
then l am tempted 10 leave this undone,
but even for your good, will impose this
task upon myself. Something tells me,
that here, l shall never behold you, but
you will look upon my face when it has
grown white and cold; and then Corinne,
know, lying underneath that pride of
heart there will still beat warm pulses for
your poor friend. When am dead they
will say had the fever; be it so; but o,
twas not alone the fever of my frame, 1t
was my heart Corinne, my heart, was con-
sumed in the fire of its own long conflict !;
if it is not sin to say it, death waves so
chilling to the fearful multitude to
be passing sweetly, smoothly, over my tired
spirit, and clasp it tightly to my heart
for fear awM get free from me: If had
written to you the first few months we
were married, it would have been TO tell
you of love that satisfied me and l drank
of the sweet cup till it almost sickened me,
but still held out my feeble hands and cried
for more-more! He charmed-fascinated
me,-my husband, Ernest Lighton, and
day after day loved him more and more.
o how l loved him, but of this l cannot
write much, for it seems to weaken my
nerveless hands still more. We had lived
thus just one year and purposed celebra-
ting the anniversary of our marriage. He
had one sister whom be tenderly loved
She came many miles to be present that
night, and after the affair was over, we
urged her to remain with us and she did
so. She was fair, proud girl, and could
plainly see that she almost idolized her
brother Ernest. She was uniformly kind
and pleasant to me, and l was innocent
and upsuspecting until one night feeling
sligbly indisposed 1 retired to my room
and bad been asleep; 1 awoke and not
finding my husband in the room | went
towards the drawing room intending 10
seek him. As l passed the library, the
door being slightly ajar heard the sound
of voices in the room, and also heard my
own mentioned. l thought would keep
still a moment and then spring in sudden
" as had often done, and surprise them.
Pity me, o my friend: l will relate the
conversation near as l then knew, for was
bewildered and astonished. l bent my
head forward and could see that their backs
were to me and she had her arms around
his neck, and as she knelt down by him,
and the soft, catlike tones came to me in
these words:


"You do not love your sistera you used
to Ernest; and she is not worthy of the
love you lavish upon her. She is selfish
and exacting and you are so patient with
her-your wife l mean Ernest, or whom
the world calls your wife, 0 it maddens me
to know and feel that now l occupy only a
second place and l am alone, alone. o,
Ernest it is terrible! But away with this,
1 scoru it, though sometimes indulge in
it Just to fret my proud heart; but be a
woman Ernest; crawl at her feet if you
will. 1 verify believe you would kneel
down and let her feet rest on your neck =
He sprang up quickly and taking her at
arms length and looked her steadily in
the face, saying: Enough of this Angus
ia Lighton! If you have wrecked your
own happiness don't stay here to destroy
mine; as for your insinuations and sarcasm
they are nothing to me now but am no.
thing but man and l warn you, l dare
you to say another word!"


She raised her glorious eyes pleadingly,
but he continued: :"Y ou stay, hereafter, on
conditions; do you know them! She bowed
her head and rose 20 60. Then be looked
at the sister he used to lead by the hand
when be was little boy, and his consci-
ence whispered that perhaps he had spo-
ken too harshly, so be stepped before her
and said: "My sister let there be peace be-
tween u.s." and again she laid her head on
his breast and wept passionately.


went back to my room. Well, he had
said nothing to censure me, but to defend
me; but fearful thought stalked grim
spectre through my soul. looked gloomi-
ly into the future.


As sat there forgetting that be would
expect to find me asleep he entered the
room. Why was it! But know 1 raised
my eyes defantly TO his. He seemed not
to notice it, but took me in his strong arms
and kissed me over and over again, and
told me many times how we'll he loved his
wife. He made some commonplace OBJ
servations about Augusta. Then | know
not what it was forced the bitter words
from my lips. 1 exclaimed, "she is a SER
pent, Ernest-a serpent that will ruin our
peace; that will fix great gulf between
you and me. He was astenished beyond
measure and tried to reason with me, but
was to excited too listen; l threw myself
upon the sofa and feigued sleep; l could
hear the sobs come from his heart, l pitt
ed him then, and went to him, and told him
| loved him. He asked me to unsay those
words, but would not, then. have re


peuted since, but o, what pain and suffer
ing has led me to it. He was very angry
none but God new the agony I endured
for few days; but it passed away and |
was happy again. l tried OF please him
in every way, and he seemed to love me
more than ever and was by my side con-
stantly. For his sake, proud as was,
tried to love our sister; tried to be kind
and forbearing. must hasten now, for |
! write of hours that are stepped in bitterness
hours whose fear and doubt and desolatiou
have woven their black pail over my life.
only say Of her she accomplished her de-
r sipns: that by her almost superhuman ef-