Year: 1871

one han0 IN ner pocket claSplHS IHe WOHuerIu
letter, she feared she should wake and find i
all dream. Going in, she found on the table
her husbands hat and an unopened letter, with
% Liverpool post-mark, addressed to her in Tom
IIawrence's ell-known handwriting. Ofcourst
it was from Garry; she never aooutd direct hel
own letters. But where was Robert She wen
through the parlor and sitting-room seeking
him, tearing open the letter meanwhile. Mo-
finding him, she was about going up stairs, bu
remem mbering the precious check in her pocket
turned back smiling happily as she recalled
its contents, and locked it safely in her desk
quite unaware that Robert was watching hel
from behind the bay-windOw curtains. Yes
he has seen her. come in, more joyously than
for weeks past, with Toms letter open in hel
hand seen her look carefully about the rooms
hastily secrete billet in her desk, and pocket
the key. She never used to lock that desk, ol
have any secrets. To be sure she showed him
her letter afterwards--but that was from Carry
the inclosure, so carefully hidden, was doubt
less from Tom. And yet, while all his worst
fears were thus revived, Annie's eyes were SC
pure and and true, her manner so loving and
happy, he could not doubt her long. After a
night of reflection he resolved that if she had
a secret it could not be an unworthy one he
would trust her and respect it. If her heart
ever did regret its choice, he would win hei
back by patient tenderness; for he well knew
that if man had guardian angel, his little
wife was his.


Now followed many happy weeks, during
which Annie showed no absence of mind, made
no mysterious journeys, received no private
letters. Roberts resolutions were easily kept
and he almost forgot the perturbations of the
summer. Coming home by an earlier train
than usual, one frosty evening in November
as he turned up the hill from the station he
sa his wife, few rods before him, coming
from the post-office with letter in her hand
She went slowly homeward, reading as she
walked, too much absorbed to hear him be-
hind her. "What can interest her so 2" he
wondered. Just then the envelope, a common
yellow one, fell from her hand and tluttered
down the icy path toward him. He picked il
up, intending to laugh at her carelessness, but
one glance at the address drove all color from
his face, all jesting from his mind. "Mrs
Cynthia Sullivan" in strange, masculine
hand. For moment Robert stood still +; the
November night seemed to close dark and cold
around him with chill that penetrated to his
heart. Looking up at last he saw his wife's
light figure for an instant on top of the hill
clearly traced against the lowering sky, then
it turned into their own avenue and dlsap.
peared. Sintram-like the husband stood listen
ing to the demon within him. Every half
forgotten mystery rose as an accusation agains
poor Annie, carrying all good resolutions away
like food. ga secret correspondence
feigned name What could it all mean ~
Crushing the hateful envelope in his hand, he
strobe fercely on, determined to show it to hel
and demand TO be told all. He reached his
gate just as Annie entered the house. The light
from within cleaned down the path moment
then the door closed, and all was dark and
cold.


!"She does WE'LL" muttered Robert, bitterly
''she shut me out of her confidence long ago.


Suddenly the door re-opened. Annie came
quickly out and down the avenue toward him
Does she see him Oh no She is searching
for the lost envelope. Her husband drew back
ito the shadow of the hedge, watching unseen
her furred motions.


"What shall do ~ she exclaimed, in low,
troubled tone, close beside him.


His jealous mood swept over him like q
Evave he stepped suddenly out before her, say
ing, in cold, hard voice, as he thrust forward
the envelope.


"Perhaps this is what you have lost ~


His unexpected appearance, passionate
gesture and rude tone gave Annie terrible
shock. Starting backward, cathing her breath
with gasp of fright and pain, she lost hel
footing on the icy slope, and fell down an en-
bankment of several feet on to the carriage
drive below. Terrified and remorseful, Robert
beside her instantly, only to find her lying
white and silent, on her side, her left arm
broken under her. Neither of them ever knew
very clearly what happened during the mex
half hour. Robert took his wife into the house
The doctor came, set her arm, prescribed for-s
disposition to fever, and ordered eutire quiet
Annie scarcely spoke. The doctor was surprised
TO see one usually so bright and brave now ap
parently entirely subdued by pain. How could
the good man know that the husband, whose
loving concern was shown in every look an6
movement, had been the cause Of the accident
and of the mental distress, beside which the
physical pain was as nothing? Annie had
been perfectly aware of her husbands state o.
mind when he sprang out upon her. She knew
that he suspected her of something wrong
that he was angry; had prejudged her cruelty
With all her sweetness of temper and warmth
OF her heart, she had good share of persona
dignity and womanly pride and to be con.
demned unheard, on mere mystery of ap
pearance, was more than she could well brook
She was too much hurt to offer any explana
ton. How could she when he had asked none
No; she lay perfectly still, submitting pas
sively to all they did. Robert was more
wretched than she, for he felt guilty. TLt
white patience of his wife's face, her silence
and the bandaged arm across her breast re
preached him horribly. He showed the doctor
ont, and returned to the chamber. Annie die
not look up. Martha, the cook, who was very
fond of her young mistress, was sitting beside
her.


"If you please, Mr.. Dana, I'll stay with hel
while you have your tea. It's all ready below
Sir"


Annie did not speak so he went down and
made q forlorn attempt at meal. How empty
the room was without its queen how utterly
desolate He kept trying to think what he
had said in that wild moment at the gate. lie
knew he had called her by every loving name
while he was bringing her in, but he could moi
remember that she had returned one kiss, one
loving word. She had only said, 'Take care
Robert; it is broken !" and afterward, "Don'
mind it does not hurt much !" but her eyes
had been averted, and her voice had repress
ed tone he had never heard in it before. By
and by he went back, sending Martha away
Annie's eyes were shut, but he felt sure she
was not sleeping. Her cheeks were brightly
flushed, her breathing rapid.


"She is as unhappy as am" thought Robert
'How can she have the perfect repose the doctor
ordered till we understand each other and are
reconciled .? This silence is killing us both
Somebody must speak first. 1t is she who is
in the wrong, surely it is and yet why can
not look at her and believe it? Why do
feel myself the guilty one ?"


He leaned over his wife and studied her
sweet face eagerly, as these thoughts agitated
him. She felt him near, and yet how distant
Hot tears sprang to her closed eyes, hung on
the thick lashes ran over her burning cheeks
but she dared not look up. Pride was afraid
of giving way. Robert saw her lip tremble
her tears fall, and he broke down.


"Oh, Annie, my wife, speak to me! look at
me l am afraid have been harsh and cruel
to you but why, why do you have secret
from me 2"


Wide open, honest, fearless were her eyes
then.


"Robert Robert ! it was no harm. Could
you not trust me But will tell you every
thing. 1 never will have another secret.
have hated myself all the time. But it was
only story, for surprise; and am so glad
that need not be sly any more !" And then
she burst into such wild sobbing and crying
that Robert was fairly frightened.


He had never seen her beyond her self
control before, and, like all usually quiet and
serene persons, her giving way was entire, and
most distressing. 1t was q long time before
she could tell her story coherently. In vain
Robert begged her to wait till morning.. assur-
ing her that he was perfectly satisfied. She
felt she could not sleep till every cloud was
cleared away oat last-nterrupted by her
own tears or laughter, by his tender careses
and self-reproaches-the whole history of the
manuscript, the table, and letters, was told
How the husband felt, as every link in the
chain proved her so tender and true, can not
be described. Suffice it to say that he, in his
turn, laid bare all his heart before her, and
that upon these hours of suffering and confes-
sion, of humiliation and joy, their mutual con-
fdeuce and love were rebuilt upon tried and
perfeced foundation. The next morning re
ply was mailed to the editors letter, the inno-
cent cause of the trouble. 1t had contained
merely request for permission to alter the
name of Mrs. Cynthia Sullian's story = and
with Annies acquiescence, the correspondence
ceased and, "Mrs. Chythia Sullivan" was
known no more in the literary world.


few weeks later on the evening before