Year: 1864




Only one year a wife, and here hold the pa
per that makes me free again. Divorced and
on the first anniversary lof my wedding day /
What a strange, eyentful year that had been to
me- since the day l stood at the altar and prom
ised to be a true and faithful wife until DEATH
Had performed that VOW? | asked myself the
question, sitting there alone, gazing with tear
dimmed eyes that paper. My heart misgave
me, but conscience acquitted. l had fulfilled it
as long as duty required, and it was no fault of
mine that had not done so unto death.


How strongly in contrast to the present seemed
those few happy months when it was my high
est happiness in life to perform that duty; and
oh, how slight circumstance had wrought the
change! merely the accidental discovery in my
husbands private secretary ofa package of
letters and the miniature of a woman so won
derously beautiful yet, with so unholy an ex-
preston, that she seemeda fallen angel. And
those letters-breathing the fiery, passionate ar
dor of heart such as l should imagine would
accompany that beautiful face-were addressed
to Myron Glare, the man who had sworn to love
me- and me alone, until death. And nearly all
of these were written subsequent to our mar
riage, and were seemingly in answer to similar
ones from him, and each of his frequent absences
from home, which had always purported to have
been on business were here spoken Of as having
been passed in her society, and in the last writ
ten few days prior to his present departure, a
meeting was arranged for the day on which he
had left home, at a place designated in New
York.


What discovery for wife to makel Myron
was away on business, which he had said would
detain him two or three months. There was no
opportunity for an explanation, if, believing it,
pride would have permitted me to have deman-
ded one. Had any one told me one week, even
one day previously that any combination of cir
cumstances could have shaken my confidence
in my husbands honor, would have smiled in
happy incredulity; but now / was half crazed
with doubt and jealousy. The passionate, be-
wildering beauty of that pictured face seemed
sufficient to tempt an angel from duty. But it
was very hard to think that one in whom had
placed my confidence should have deceived mt
even from the beginning. l would know the
truth if it were possible


There was but one among my friends to whom
would have cOnfded so shameful a secret and
even there hesitated; but there was no one
else upon whose assistance could so implicitly
rely. Cyril Dart was distantly connected to me,
and had been reared in my fathers family in
childhood and youth. Perfect confidence had al
ways existed between US; and, although for
years we had not met, until few weeks pre-
yiously, the old feelings yet held sway, and to
him entrusted the strange discovery l had
made, asking his assistance and advice. His
first step was to telegraph to the western city
where Myron had intended, or pretended to go;
but he brought back the intelligence that my
husband was neither there nor expected there
l entreated him then to proceed to New York he
did so, and this time brought me the news that
he had found the beautiful original of the pic
ture and Myron together at the place mentioned
in the letter.


"There is but one step remainingto to be taken"
said, in pride and anger, when the whole was
told; "a divorce must be obtained"


Cyril offered his services. | gladly accepted
them and before Myron's three months absence
had expired the divorced was applied for and he
was notified oft l scarcely expected he would
wish to see me- but he sought me, though in
vain, for refused to see him, referring him to
my lawyer, Cyril Dart, for any information he
might desire.


''Tell me Annie, he wrote in reply, edo you
apply for this divorce of your ownfree will, un-
influenced by any of your friends 2"


81 do, most assuredly ?" was the answer re-
turned


''You are free, then, p was the reply, ~ shall
not oppose you. May you be happy"


Thus we parted; and one bright September
evening Cyril Dart placed in my hands the pa
pers which made me free once more. l asked
no questions, cared nothing how it had been OBJ
tanned. had only stipulatedin the commence
ment that the disgraceful circumstances which
had occasioned it should not be made public,
and he now assured me that my wishes had been
regarded.


was free now, with my confidence in man
kind gone, my hopes blasted, and my whole
life darkened; but pride upheld me, caused me
to wear a smiling face even when my heart lay
crushed and bleeding,


x,


One year later was installed as a nurse in a
Virginia hospital. DR.. Bunce, our family physi-
clan had been appointed surgeon in this hospit-
al, and on his departure l entreated him to per-
nit me to accompany him as nurse, for I was
anxious to engage in some active and useful
work partly to Danish, unpleasant memories
but more to escape Cyril Darts importunate
wooing; for, within a month, he had changed
from an earnest friend to persistent lover. But
now was away from all old associations. lead
ing an active, usefullife, which left me no time
for useless repinings or vain regrets.


One day there had beer. many new arrivals
and the surgical ward was full; and, filed with
earnest sympathy for those wounded men, was
doing what could for their temporary relief,
when heard voice call my name in tones of
earnest entreaty.


sob, -Annie-Annie, don Il leave me %


Faint andisick, j caught at the bed beside me