ted ourselves in a
quiet spot.

"'How long is it since you have heard from Henry?' I asked.

"'Why, don't you know that we had a quarrel several months ago?' she
answered, with an effort, her face turning very red.

"'Annie, do you mean that you and Henry have separated?' I asked, very
much shocked at such news.

"'Yes; that is what I mean. Henry became so strict and unjust with me
that I complained to him of his treatment. One word brought on another,
until at last he flew into a violent passion and left me.'

"On hearing Annie relate, in such a cool, off-hand manner, how she had
driven away one of the best husbands that ever lived, I was perfectly
thunderstruck. I had feared that something of the kind might happen, but
now that it had really come to pass, I hardly knew what to do or say.

"'Is it possible, Annie!' I said. 'Where did he go?'

"'I don't know,' she replied; 'he left his ship and went off.'

"'But they know at the office where he went, don't they?' I asked.

"'No; he left his ship at short notice. The company tried to keep him,
but he would not stay; and, finally, he went off without telling any one
where he was going,' answered Annie, beginning to cry.

"It seemed to me that she was crying more to avert my displeasure than
because she missed Henry; but she was my favorite sister, and I still
loved her. Hence, though I deeply regretted and condemned her actions, I
could not find it in my heart to characterize her conduct as it
deserved.

"'Annie, are you not entirely to blame for this? Remember how many times
I have cautioned you against the course you were pursuing. Tell me what
led to your separation,' I asked, finally.

"At first she refused to say anything; but, at length, I drew out that
reports had reached Henry's ears that she was in the habit of accepting
a great deal of attention from a certain gentleman, and that he
accompanied her to the theatre very frequently.

"'But,' she said, 'there was nothing wrong in that.'

"Then, on several occasions, Henry asked her to attend the theatre with
him; but it so happened that she had a severe headache each time. This
made Henry jealous, and he asked her, tauntingly, why she never had a
headache when a certain gentleman called. This sneer led to mutual
recriminations and bitter language on both sides, until Henry went away
in a towering rage.

"I could see the whole trouble. Henry loved her passionately, and her
conduct had driven him awa