Washington telegraph., 1853-03-16
The Test OF Love.
BY FANNY FERN.

"For charitys sake. take me in, said the
lively little MIS-. Grey, with look Of mock
distress. as she peeped her bright face into
my room. "If you'll credit it, ny husband
hasn't spoke five consecutive words since
tea time; and I'm quite undecided whether
to request to have the roof raised 80 that
can breathe freer, or 90 into violent fit
of Mysteries. Mat.y,' said sLe, with Ia
dicrously solemn air, I shouldn't be sur
prised if had married the wrong man 60
Now Edward is one Of the best creatures in
the world; there, that's just it, said she,
jumping up, he's TOO good. can't think
of a fault he has, he's aacfulky corrcct-a
living reproof to me. DO compassionate ne
Matty [ have what the old ladies call 0
model husband Now, isn't it q pity that
goodness and stupidity generally % togeth-
err" said she, laughing. "Ned il 50 matter
Of fact! ! Now, if I'm reading book, and
come across a passage that delights me,
always want to put my arms around the au-
thor's neck and kiss him. Well, 7 read it
to Ned. and he says quietly. (without look
looking up from his newspapcr) Yes, it j.
pretty good Oh, dear. IL never gets Up
enthusiasm about anything. Ie lacks feel
ing. It's really pitiable, Matty; (throwing
herself on the sofa with suppressed yawn.)
"All isn't gold that gltters, Mary, and
there are gems, too, Of whose value the pos
sessor is sometimes ignorant These but
terflies that dazzle in society, are mostly
mere moths at home Abroad, they IRE Ell
egant, refined polished, radiant. graceful.
full of repartec and wit but by their own
hearthstone. silent. moody, selfish, exacting.
and uninteresting. You'd never recognize
them? You remember Vivian -
Well, that's bis mental daguerreotype; il
private he's the most unl0veable Cf NOR
tails
"Well, this worlds humbug then, " said
Mary, "or I'm one Of it, restless. dissatis-
fed ones: and by the way, Matty, low came
you TO be an old mad?"
Simply because you appropriated the
only man | ever wanted" was Matty's quiet
reply.
The blood rushed to Mary's temples
she was by Matty's side in an instant. urg-
ing her to full confession"
"Ah, / see, my little lady, your heart i
in the right place, after all else you wouldn't
be jealous I've great hopes If you .-
Blessings often brighten when We imagine
they are "about 10 take fight Your has
band never spoke word Of love to me in
his lite-I only wish lie had , shant en-
join secresy upon you q to the preference,
because know very well you wouldn't have
him know it for a kingdom. . Tim safe .--
but seriously, Mary, you don't know how to
value Edward. a few more years ever
your sunny head and a little more expert
ence of the world, and you wouldn't barter
bin for the most brilliant idol your imagina-
tiou ever set up for your heart to worship"
That day was nearer than Matty prophc
sled. Mary shortly afterwards was taken
ILL., For weeks she balanced between life
and death. Whose supplicating eye sought
the physicians with such fearful anxiety,
Whose hand, with more than . woman's
tenderness, smoothed her pillow, and shaded
the light from her aching cyeballs! who,
with uplifted finger, crept softly about the
house, hushing every noisy football ? who
surrounded her with every comfort and lux
ury that affection could think Of, Or money
Qlardly earned) could procure? who, when
wearied with business cares, still kept tire
less vigil. till the stars faded away. at the
bedside of the poor sufferer
Who grassod the physicians hand, saying
Save her! 1t is life Or death with we, d
well as Mary O. Who. but the "mater Of
tack" Edward?
One day, after Mary was convalesoent, I
called to see her. She was looking very
lovely, though pale and wasted. Thank
God you are spared to u" said I, touching
my lips to her forehead.
after Him, thank my husband" said
Mary, with eyes liquid with feeling. TN
this sick room have learned lesson I shall
never forget Oh. Matty. there may be
deep. strong love in the heart, where deeds,
not words, are the interpreters Please
God to spare my life, ny pure love shall bc
his reward for this II
I