Year: 1871




er side Of the room without reply
ing. I had never before seen him
so angry, and I was almost frenzied
with grief and excitement. I start
ed up, wringing my hands wildly,
and pacing the room ike a maniac,
scarcely knowing what I said, but
conscious Of speaking very rapidly.
He turned at first a look of scorn
and anger upon me, but it melted
as I went on into one Of surprise,
/ grief and sorrow combined.


"Oh! George has it come to this2
VIII you cast all the love fFen gour
heart and doom me to a loveless ex-
istence? OH I have loved you so
much, and, till now, made your ev-
cry wish my law. I have, for your
sake, ceased to mingle with society,
and buried my youth in seclusion
to minister to your happiness. For
your sake I left my childhood's
home and friends ere had gained
any knowledge whatever Of the
duties that would devolve upon
me; but I have been faithful and
true wife, George, and done all 1
could to make you happy till now.
I left my father for your sake, and
now he sleeps beneath the sods of
the valley. My mother, whom I
loved more than words can tell, is
separated from me by countless
miles of land and sea; and the gen
tie little sisters so dear to my heart
cluster about her, making her hap
py by their presence; but I am
alone, wholly dependent upon your
love, sympathy, kindness and pro-
lection, and now if you cast me of,
I shall die"


IgIanced at George, but his face
was concealed in the fold of the
window curtain, and in a passion
Of grief and tears, I dropped upon
my knees and sobbed aloud.


Itwas some time ere he came to
me, but he did come at last, and
drew my head gently to his bosom,
and felt warm tears dropping up
on my cheek and mingling with my
own.


Oh! had I not beea mad then,
happiness was still within my grasp;
but a demon entered my heart and
made me resolve to. .punisa-hisa fer
the agony he had caused me-
Drawing my head from the bosom
I loved more than life, I shook his
arm from about my waist and bade
him leave me and repent Of his cru
city and injustice ere he sought my
forgiveness.


''Egenia, darling" he said mourn
fully through his tears, 81 have re-
pented already, poor wounded little
pet. / did not mean to speak so
cruelty to you when I knew you
loved me so much"


"Then why did you do it?'' asked
I, with a show Of asperity.


Because I was angry and thought
you Indifferent to my wishes; and
you know my greatest misfortune
is inability to control my passion"


"Aye! because you do not try,
I perhaps, and cannot feel the sting
of the wounds your hot words in
flict," I said bitterly.


''Egenia! Egeniar'


'Oh! you are growing pathetic
now, and perhaps it is well, for now
I would like to give you an idea Of
the value of self-control, and learn
you the wisdom ofjustice and kind
ness, in lieu of injustice and anger,
in matters of trifiing moment"


He did not get angry, but such a
look of pain and anguish as 1 never
can forget passed over his face as
he arose silently and left the room.


The night had now set in and 1
went up to my chamber. As /
passed the back parlor on my way
to it I glanced through the open
door and saw George lying upon
/ his face on the sofa, and a great sob
heayed his bosom as I looked. For
a moment my good angel wavered
over me timidly, entreating me to
90 to him and try to comfort him,
and beg his forgiveness; but the
demon that stroye with the white
winged guardian conquered, and ]
went on to my room whispering to
myself that he was but tasting Of
the dranght he had often made me
drink, even to the lees, and now
twas but just that he should take
a portion in turn.


But no peaceful slumber came to
my eyelids that night Feverish
and excited, I tossed upon my bed,
waiting for George to come up that
I might make friends with him.


Oh! I would have given worlds
could I have recalled the cruel, re-
/ pulsive words I had uttered when
he came to me, bathed in tears Of
! repentance; but it was too late now;
and humbled to the dust for the
part I had played, 1 felt unworthy
to go to him. Thus the night pass
ed in agony and tears till just about
an hour before dawn, when 1 fell
into a feverish slumber, haunted by
frightful dreams. When ] awoke