The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-04-20
The Test of Love.
BY FANNY FERN.

For charity's sake, take me in. /" said the
lively little Mrs. Gray. with n look Of mock
distress, as she peepcd her bright face into my
room. Ii you'll credit it, my husband
hasn't spoken five consecutive words since tea
time and I'm quite undecided whether to
request to have the roof raised, so that can
breathe freer, or to 90 into a violent fit Of
Mysteries Maity," said she. with a ludi-
crously solemn air, /" I shouldn't be surprised
il | hadn't married the wrong man =
Now Edward Is one Of the best Great Tres
in the world; there, that's Just" said she,
jumping up. he's too good. | can't think
Of fault he has F; he's awlully correct-a
living rcproof 10 me. Do compassionate me,
Matty; | have what the oil ladies call a
model husband" Now isn't il pity that
goodness and stupidity generally 20 togeth,
er :" said She laughing Ned i 50 matter
of.flct Now I'm reading book, and come
across a passage that delights me. | always
want 10 put my arms around the authors
neck. and kiss him. Well, | read il to Ne1,
aud he says, quietly (without looking up from
his newsrapeD /" Yes, il i pretty good =
! Oh, dear lie never gets up enthusiasm
about ANYTHING. lie lacks feeling. Its
really pitiablc, Matty;' Throwing herself on
tie sofa with suppressed yawn)
AL isn't gold that glttcrs, Mary and
there are gems, too Of whose value the pos
SCISSOR is sometimes ignorant. These butter
flies that dazzle in society. are mostly mere
moths at home. Abroad they are elegant
refined, polished, graceful. full Of repartee
and wit but by their own hcarth-stoncs, 81
lent, moody. selfish, exaciine and uninteres.
ting. You'd never recognize them Aou
remember Vivian -? Well, that's III
mental dagucrreotypc in private he's the
most unloyable Of mortals
"Well, this worlds humbug, then, saic
Mary, or Pm one Of its restless, dissatisfied
ones; and BY the way, Matiy, how came yoV
10 be an old maid :"
/. Simply because you are appropriated th'
only man | ever wanted" was Mattys que
reply
The blood rushed to Marys temples; sh'
was by Matty's side in an instant, urging he
to full confession"
+" All, see my little lady, your heart
n tie RIGHT place, after al, else you wouldn'
be Jealous. I've great hopes Of you :
Blessings often brighten, when We imagn
they are about to take their flight. You
husband never spoke a word Of love to me Il
Ills Iife-I only wish lie had ! shan't en-
ioin secrecy upon you as to my preference
because know very well you wouldn't hay
him 10 know It for a kingdom. 50 I'm sate.-
But seri5u.ly, Mary, you don't know how
value Edward A few more years over you
sunny head, and little more experience
the world. and you'd not barter him for th
most brilliant idol your Imagination ever SC
! up for your heart to worship"
The day was nearer than Matty prophC
sled. Mary shortly afterwards was take
dangerously i'll. For weeks she balanced be
tween life and DEATH Whose supplicatin
eve sought tie physicians with such tearfI
anxiety +! whose hand, with more than W.
mans tenderness. smoothed her pillow an
, shaded the light from her aching cyeballs :
who. with uplilted finger, crept softly aboV
J the house, hushing every noisy football VIII
: surrounded her with every comfort and Luz
ury that affection could think OF or none
thardly earned) could procure Who, whe
wearied with business cares, still kept tlreie,
! yiril. till the stars faded away, at the bedsld
!, Of the poor sufferer
Who grasped the physicians hand, sayini
! +" Save her Il i life or death with me,
: we'll as Marym Who, but the matter-t
! fact" Edward ?
One DAY, after Mary was conyalescent'
2 called 10 see her. She was looking vel
: lovely, though pale and wasted. Than
+ God you are spared to us" said | touchiI
! ! my lips to her forehead. :,
! After Him, thank my husband s.
! Mary, with eyes liquid with feeling
! ! this sick room have learned lesson l SD,
" never forget. Oh Matiy! there may
deep, strong love in the heart. where 1i, dee0
:, Z. not words, arc the interpreters Piea
Z God to spare my life. my poor love shali
i. his reward for this -
= Mary kept her word