Woman's Trials; Or, Tales and Sketches from the Life around Us

hat won the heart at first sight, and her children were as lovely and attractive as herself; but towards her husband there was a feeling of instant rep

ill. He had fever, and complained of distress in his back and pain in his head. The mother appeared

Darlington heard the mother say, as her husb

You are easily frightened. Ther

let fever, Henry,"

afraid of something," was l

ton sat in her room, there was a light tap at her door, which was immediately opened, and Mrs. Mari

at my Willy?" she at lengt

rlington, rising immediately. "What

I'm afraid of scarlet fe

Marion. On the bed lay Willy, his face flushed

ed Mrs. Darlington, as she laid

m," replie

are you

ead a

r throa

, ma

y so

o that I can h

ls him?" asked the mo

, if it were my case, I would send

. M

him called in, I will sen

ooked trouble

y thing serious," said she. "I

end for a physician,"

M--, I will feel greatly o

and answered all questions evasively. After writing a prescription, he gave a few directions, and said he would call again in the

was received with acute pain. Miriam took her place beside Mrs. Marion in the sick chamber, all her sympathies alive, and

elicate frame of the child, run its fatal course. On the f

Darlington and her two eldest daughters, who suffered with her in the affliction almost as severely as if they had th

ght by this affliction, discovered to the former many things that strengthened the repugnance

rion was heard in loud, angry tones. He was alone with his wife in their chamber. This chamber was next to hat of Edith and Miriam, where

st agonizing. They also heard the words, "For the

frightened, and sat panting and lo

n the door of the chamber was opened, and Marion went down stairs. The closing of the front door announced his departure from the house.

, in a husky whisper. Edith breathed heavily to re

Miriam, her face growing pale

ed, Edith arose quickly a

u going?" ask

s. Mario

m, speaking from some vague fe

within the chamber. On the bed, where she had evidently thrown herself, lay Mrs. Marion; and, on approaching and bend

led at the table, the places of Mr. and Mrs. Marion were vacant. From their nurse it was ascertained that Mr. Marion had not come home since he went out on the evening before, and that his wife had not yet arisen. Between nine and ten o'clock,

g her. At supper time food was sent again to her room; but, save part of a cup of tea, nothing was tasted. After tea, Mrs. Da

at time had Mrs. Marion been seen by any member of the family. At the end of t

pon the bed, with a face so pale and grief-stricken, th

as happened?" said she

able to speak for some moments. Acquiring self-po

ton. I feel crushed to the very ground.

in a few moments she recovered he

of anger, vowing that he would never return. Hourly have I waited since, in the hope tha

e way to her feeling

e?" asked Mrs. Darlington, a

nc

did he rem

than a

you fr

ve but an aunt, w

t range of expenses, she must go behind-hand with great rapidity. Mr. and Mrs. Marion were to pay fourteen dollars a weeks Thus far, nothing had been received f

d in a moment, and produced the

h sympathy and interest in her voice as possible, and thus to conceal t

e knew that, in the effort to

, by Mrs. Marion, who again wept violently. As soon as the passionate burst of

ltogether. Though you have been with us only a sho

proffer the unhappy woman a home for herself and children; but a sudden recollection

" quickly answered Mrs. Marion. "Bu

n half to herself, in a low t

gree, the anguish of the unhappy woman's mind, "let this give you no trouble. Do

heart felt the weight upon it growing heavier. Scarcely able to sta

ington and her family; and none could have extended more willingly a helping hand in time of need. But