WAYS OF PROVIDENCE; OR, HE DOETH ALL THINGS WELL."





THE TWO WIVES.

CHAPTER I.





"YOU are not going out, John?" said Mrs. Wilkinson, looking up from
the work she had just taken into her hands. There was a smile on her
lips; but her eyes told, plainly enough, that a cloud was upon her
heart.

Mrs. Wilkinson was sitting by a small work-table, in a neatly
furnished room. It was evening, and a shaded lamp burned upon the
table. Mr. Wilkinson, who had been reading, was standing on the
floor, having thrown down his book and risen up hastily, as if a
sudden purpose had been formed in his mind.

"I shall only be gone a little while, dear," returned Mr. Wilkinson,
a slight air of impatience visible beneath his kind voice and
manner.

"Don't go, John," said Mrs. Wilkinson, still forcing a smile to her