Year: 1876

BY AN OLD CONIhlbO1oh'


CHAPTER XIV.


pass over the next few weeks OF wander
ing, though they we're enjoyable enough to US
all. At least they were to me, and Olive ap
peared TRANQUILITY pleased, though still toe
Quiet and reserved to satisfy the requirements
ofmy heart. yearned for a fuller confidence
between Us, response to the outpouring Of
my own devotion, which lavished without
stint upon her. Even her unresponsiveness-
nay, her coldness, as felt itsometimes-coulo
not check the ardent effusion Of my love-


We settled down, at last, in lovely spot
on the banks of the Rhine. An old ivy
grown castle, partly in ruins, but with mod
ern addition, so tastefully contrived as not to
destroy the picturesque effect of the original
structure, stood on rugged declivity, just
where the river curved and dashed in cas-
cade over the rocks. The scenery around
was wild and romantic, and the quiet and SOL
itude we're congenial to both Olives taste and
mine. A mile distant was pretty village,
containing a Protestant chapel, where we
could 20 to worship on the Sabbath when we
chose. And one or two aristocratIc families
lived sufficiently near to be within visiting
distance, should time and opportunity bring
about an acquaintance between US. We there
fore established ourselves in the modern wing
of the castle, which we rented from the pro-
prietor, Baron Somebody or other who new
or lived at home. Furnished as it was, in
somewhat antique but sufficiently comfortable
style, we found no difficulty in soon making
ourselves at home; and an old couple who
had been in charge of the establishment be-
fore our arrival, provided US with an excel
lent attendant in their daughter, good-hu'
mored strapping damsel, who did the work OF
two English servants, and considered me mu-
nifcent in the matter of wages, while she fell
in love at once with my wife, and was Jealous
to serve her in every way.


All this time Sslwyn had been constantly
with us, occasionally absenting himself to
branch off on a little tour in another direc-
ton, but never remaining away long. When
we fixed upon our place Of abode. l set apart
room for him, desiring him to consider it
his headquarters whe he remained on the
Continent. Itappeared to me that Olive was
not particularly we'll pleased with this ar
rangement She acquiesced in it, however,
without Offering any objection, for she never
contradicted me in anything.


I do not know when it was that the idea
first presented itself to my mind, that Olive
was Indifferent to my affection for her, and
did not yield it the return it merited. am
now approaching period Of my history so
unparalleled, that every circumstance in any
way connected with it, both before and after
ward, seems confused and indistinct to my re-
collection, so completely are they all obscured
by the one event whose overpowering horror
has clung to me these many years, and is cast
ing its gloom about me like pail as lie on
nv diving bed. know that when the first,
faint shadow of this suspicion fell upon me, |
drove it instantly away, regarding it as mere
distempered fancy of my own, and chided my
selffor my weakness in suffering it to arise
even for moment. before me. 1t was Olives
natural disposition, I argued. to be undemon-
stra.ive and self.contained. I, with my fiery
impulsiveness, my unreasonable ardor and
excitability, could not expect similar dis.
play on her part Her feelings were calm but
deep, and found but little play on the surface
of her character. Ought I not, knowing so
well what she really was, to take her for what
she was worth, and be more than content In
nv possession of her? But these arguments,
though seemingly of ample weight, did not
lay the dreary doubt at rest, only quieted 1t
for the time. Back it came, again and yet
again, each time with fuller force, until at
last it became the torment Of my life. 1t
clung to me so pe1tinaciously after while,
that it banished all my peace; and though
breathed no word of it, it ranked like fes'
tering wound in my breast. Secretly watch
ed Olive with vigilance that never faltered,
as though by so doing I could search her in
mostsoul, and lay its secrets bare. weighed
her most triaing words and actions, striving
thereby to arrive at the knowledge l desired
to obtain. Every glance Of her eyes, every
tone of her voice, became invested with new
significance, and were to me the signals OF
fresh misery or overweening delight, as l
found them cold or kind.


I fancy that Olive became aware, before
long, of this watchfulness on my part; tor
gradually sort of nervous constraint crept
over her manner which was not habitual to
her. If spoke to her suddenly she would
change color, and look disturbed and once
or twice. on unexpectedly entering her room,
found her in tears


was walking with Selwyn one afternoon
in secluded shrubbery adjoining the castle,
and the depression I felt being apparent in
my manner, he presently asked me the cause
of my unusual gravity.


~ don't think you have spoken five words
in the last quarter of an hour" ne said.
"What has come over you, Phil? You're not
like yourself at all, to-day"


"Only headache" said 1, carelessly. u
am subject to them, you know"


Selwyn passed his arm through mine, and
gave it fraternal pressure.


"My dear Phil" he said, very gently, 81
hope you will pardon me for saying so, but do
you know that of late have observed q
change in you, and one that causes me serious
uneasiness 7 You look pale and unhappy
xour anpetite is gone, and you are 80 restless