THE WIFE'S SECRET.
BYMRS. ANN S. STEPHENS.
AUTHOR OF "THE REJECTED WIFE," "FASHION AND FAMINE," "THE OLD HOMESTEAD," "MARY DERWENT," "THE HEIRESS," "THE GULF BETWEEN THEM," ETC., ETC. If fame is won by woman, she must yield The richest glory of her being up, Drain her full heart, fling off its golden shield, And give her holiest love to fill the cup, Which, like a brimming goblet, rich with wine, She poureth out upon the world's broad shrine. In after years, such thoughts as live and burn, Are sacred ashes in her funeral urn.
PHILADELPHIA:
T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,
306 CHESTNUT STREET.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by EDWARD STEPHENS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This Book has been dramatized by the author and copyright of the drama secured.
DEDICATION.
TO
JOHN NEAL, OF PORTLAND, MAINE,
ONE OF THE MOST
VALUED FRIENDS THAT I EVER HAD,
OR EXPECT TO HAVE,
THIS
VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.
ANN S. STEPHENS.
WASHINGTON CITY, FEB. 29TH, 1864.CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I. UP THE RIVER. 25
- CHAPTER II. A COUNTRY RIDE. 31
- CHAPTER III. AUNT HETTY. 38
- CHAPTER IV. MIDNIGHT IN THE STONE MANSION. 46
- CHAPTER V. GILLIAN AND HER UNCLE. 49
- CHAPTER VI. OLD TIMES AND THEIR ROMANCE. 55
- CHAPTER VII. THE CLOVE ROAD. 66
- CHAPTER VIII. DOWN THE PRECIPICE. 74
- CHAPTER IX. THE PACKAGE OF LETTERS. 81
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- CHAPTER X. THE SISTERS AWAY FROM HOME. 87
- CHAPTER XI. END OF UNCLE DANIEL'S STORY. 93
- CHAPTER XII. THE NIGHT VISIT OF AUNT HETTY. 98
- CHAPTER XIII. THE GILDED TEMPTATION. 102
- CHAPTER XIV. THE AUTHORESS AT HOME. 110
- CHAPTER XV. MRS. RANSOM'S UNEXPECTED VISITORS. 122
- CHAPTER XVI. SANCTIMONIOUS RESPECTABILITY. 136
- CHAPTER XVII. THAT STRANGE MAN IN THE STREET. 145
- CHAPTER XVIII. THE TWO OLD WOMEN. 152
- CHAPTER XIX. THE BLOOMINGDALE COTTAGE. 163
- CHAPTER XX. AT THE OLD HOMESTEAD IN ROCKLAND COUNTY. 171
- CHAPTER XXI. DINAH'S TOILET IN THE GARRET. 179
- CHAPTER XXII. MARTHA'S TRIP TO NEW YORK WITH HER MAID DINAH. 187
- CHAPTER XXIII. THE DOUBLE PROPOSAL. 199
- CHAPTER XXIV. MICHAEL HURST CHANGES HIS LODGINGS. 220
- CHAPTER XXV. GILLIAN'S CONFESSION. 226
- CHAPTER XXVI. THE SUNSHINE AND SHADOWS OF LOVE. 239
- CHAPTER XXVII. THE OLD CHEST OF DRAWERS. 251
- CHAPTER XXVIII. THE UNWILLING ACCOMPLICE. 260
- CHAPTER XXIX. OPENING OF THE BALL. 269
- CHAPTER XXX. THE FIRST WALTZ. 279
- CHAPTER XXXI. THE MASTER OF THE FESTIVAL. 289
- CHAPTER XXXII. MARTHA HART'S FIRST POLKA. 300
- CHAPTER XXXIII. THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. 317
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- CHAPTER XXXIV. THE UNCERTAIN WITNESS. 326
- CHAPTER XXXV. AUNT HETTY'S EVIDENCE. 335
- CHAPTER XXXVI. FAMILY CONSULTATIONS. 341
- CHAPTER XXXVII. MRS. RANSOM'S RETURN. 349
- CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE WESTERN CLEARING. 364
- CHAPTER XXXIX. THE BODY IN THE WOODS. 383
- CHAPTER XL. THE DESERTED CABIN. 407
- CHAPTER XLI. THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION. 421
- CHAPTER XLII. THE BLACKSMITH'S SHOP. 439
- CHAPTER XLIII. AUTHORSHIP. 444
- CHAPTER XLIV. THE REUNION. 473