The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1855-05-16

Decn III inc Kitchen, TO see now break.
fast was progressing, and to cnioin the
careful preparation of q E,vorite dish
with which she had Purposcd to sur.
prise her husband.
" 1t will be ready in few minutes"
said Mis-. Winkleman. "The fire
hasn't burned freely this morning"
"If it isn't one thing, it is another"
growlcd the husband. "l'm getting
tired Of this irregularity. Thcrc'd
soon be no breakfast to get, if were
always behind time in business mat.
tcrs."
Mrs. Winklcman bent lower over
the child she was dressing, to conceal
the expression Of her face. What a
sharp pain now throbbcd through. her
temples. Mr.. Winklcman commenced
walking the floor impatientIy, little
imagining that every jarring football
Was like blow on the sensitive,
aching brain Of his vie.
"Too bad too bad - he had Just
CALCULATED when the bell rung.
At last!" he muttered, and strobe
toward the breakfast room. The
children followed in considerable dis.
order, and Mrs. Winklcman, after
hastily arranging her hair, and putting
on morning cap. joined them at the
table. IL took some moments to
restore order among the little ones.
The dish that Mrs. Winkleman had
been at considerable pains TO provide
for her husband, was GO! beside his
plate. 1t was his favoritc among many,
and his wife looked for pleased re-
cognition thereof, and Ii ghtning up
OF his cloudcd brow. But he did not
seem even to notice it. After sup.
plying the children, Mr.. Winklcman
helped himself in silence. At the
first mouthfu he threw down his
knife and fork, and pushed his plate
from him.
What's the matter" inquired his
wife.
you didn't trust Bridget to cook
this, | hope" was the response.
wv hat ais it?" Mrs. Winklcman's
eyes were filling with tears.
"Oh! It's OF no consequence" an.
swcrcd Mr.. Winklemau, culJly, "any
thing will do for me-
flames !" There was Il touching
sadEcss blended with rcbukc in the
tones of his wife F; and, as she uttered
his name, tears gushcd over her
checks.
Mr.. Winkleman didn't like tears.
They ALWAYS annoyed him. At the
present time, le WAS in no mood to
bear with them. So, on the impulse
Of the moment, he arose from the
table, and taking up his hat, left the
house.
Self Justification was tried, thousl.
not, as has been seen, with complete
success. The calmcr grew the mind
Of MIR. Winklcman, and the clearer
his thodghts, the less satisii did he
feel with the part he had taken in the
mornings drama. by an inversion of
thought, not usual among men Of his
temperament, he had been presented
with u vivid realization Of his wifc's
side ofthe question. The consequence
was, that, by dinner time, he felt a
good deal ashamed of himself, and
grieved for the pain he knew his hasty
words had occasioncd.
1t was in this better state of mind
that Mr.. Winkleman returned home.
The house seemed still as he entered.
As he proceeded up stairs, he heard
the children's voices, pitched to low
key, in the nursery. lie listened. but
| En H..
So he passed into the front chamber,
which was darkered. As soon as he
could see clearly in the feeble light,
he perceived that his wife was lying
on the bed. Her eyes we're closed,
and her thin face looked so pale and
deathlikc, that Mr.. Winklcman felt Il
cold shudder creep through his heart.
Coming to the bed side, he leaned over
and gazed down upon her. At first,
he was in doubt whether she really
breathed or not; and he felt heavy
weight removed when he saw that her
chest rose and fell in feeble respiration.
Mary" He spoke ina low, tender
voice.
Instantly the fringcd eyelids parted,
and Mrs. Winkleman gazed up into
her husbands face in partial bewild.
errnent.
Obeying the moments impulse, Mr..
Winkleman bent down and left a kiss
upon her pale lips. As if moved by
an electric thrill, the wite's arms were
Tlung around the husbands neck.
!" am sorry to find you so ILL.," said
MIR: Winkleman, in voice Of sym.
pathy. "What is the matter 2"
only o sick head ACHE" replied
Mrs. Winkleman. "But I've had a
good sleep, and feel better now. ]
didn't know it was so late" she added,
her tone changing slightly, and look
of concern coming into her counter.
ance. 'Tm afraid your dinner is not
nj oh 80