Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-22
towel; besides l must have some source of

BILE, returned Hiram, in tone of irony.
why SOP inquired Louisa, with very in
nocent look. .a- ..t......H4
You might not be compelled to resort to
books to dispel the enpui of my presence
You are pleased to be facetious, said Lou
lisa, smiling. You speak as though you real
ly supposed your presence was very tiresome
to me. beg TO relieve your mind on that
point. If you were as dull as the most stupid
fop in town, | do not think the occasional
glimpses have of you could weary me very
much'
Hiram looked perplexed Louisa continued
in the same quiet tone-
Half an hour in the morning, moment at
dinner, another glimpse at tea time; so much
of your society | can manage TO bear with forti-
tude. Really, don't know that should COM
plain if you forced yourself upon my solitude a
few minutes in the evening"
1t is well TO talk, replied Hiram, not lit
tie annoyed. But when / see you so deeply
interested in book
you must reflect that became interested
in this volume before yon returned 1t is not
very pleasant to lay down book at the moment
when You have reached the most interesting
part of the most interesting chapter Ihumbly
beg your pardon
And Louisa softly closed the book and draw
ing her seat to the fire, looked at her husband,
as if expecting him to say something marvel
ously entertaining.
Hiram wlted beneath the in1icton of her
cutting satire but he forebore making any show
of resentment.
/ meant no offence said he calmly, Il sim
ply observed, that | thought you injured your
eyes by reading too much at night | would
rather see you associate with some of the ladies
In the house, whose conversation, have no
doubt, would be quite entertaining They are
intelligent and refined
To this piece of advice, Louisa replied that
Mrs. Smith had that night gone to the theatre,
Miss Jones was enjoying herself at party,
and that Mrs. Frink was playing chess with
her husband-who, she added, always passed
his evenings with his wife, whether at home or
abroad
Hiram bit his lips and said no more, proba-
bly, convinced that Louisa had the best side of
the argument, and that words would not better
the matter at all.
1t is also very probable that Hiram, on re-
fiection, saw that he had of late neglected Lou
lsa altogether too much for on the following
day, on coming home to tea, he said, pleasant
ly-
l have been thinking that we would go
around to Mr.. Baldwin's this evening, if you
have no objection
Indeed = replied Louisa, coloring very red !;
er returned my last CALL
90, never mind that, replied Hiram.
But somehow Louisa had grown very formal
and nothing conld induce her to call on Mrs
Baldwin before that lady had returned her last
visit.
Irritated by what he considered his wife's
unreasonable scruples, and believing that, after
all, she was never so anxious to please him as
he to CRAFTY her, Hiram put on his coat and hat
early in the evening, and made other prepara-
tions for going out
'What time will you be back1' asked Lou
isa, with an air of innocence
Some time before midnight replied Hi
ram. Are you very anxious about my re-
turn =
Louisa started but she answered in a calm
Il should like to know when to expect you.
No particular desire to see me come home
early, prompted the question, l suppose, said
Hiram in half jesting tone.
You know that am thankful for any at
tention from you, rejoined Louisa
But when ask you TO 90 out you refuse. ,
retorted Mr.. Stowell.
You are careful never to invite me to any
place where you think l would be pleased to
CO. was his wife's significant reply.
Hiram frowned closed the door in a manner
indicating considerable irritation, and hurried
down stairs.
Louisa heaved a deep sigh, for she felt that
she was acting far from right yet her mind
was made up for the ball, and it was relief
to hear her husband close the hall door.
MIR. Stowell was at the same time troubled
with consciousness that he might have acted
differently, and avoided causing Louisa unpeas-
ant feelings.
1t Is true,' said he to himself, never in
vlte her to 60 to those places where she is most
fond OF gong She thinks me unjust and per-
maps cruel, and | don't know but | am too OBJ
stinate in my opinions l will take her to the
theatre next week
Mr.. Stowell walked along ranidlv until
he came 10 the first cross street /: he ,he,, be-
gan to relax his steps, as he muttered to him
self -..- ...s
am to blame. will take her to the thea
tire tomorrow night
On reaching the second street, Hiram walk
ed still slower, saying TO himself
wish had asked her to 90 tonight, !,
AT the third street, Hiram paused.
| IL is not too .ate now,' thought he. 8 1t
akes Louisa only few minutes to dress, and
We might get our seats before the first act is
over.
NE renamed standing in thoughtful atti-
tude for some minutes, then retraced his stems
pradhally ouickenino his No.. In, !,