Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-10


Yet she turned hurriedly from his
PLAYFUL caressing words, for the first time
since their marriage. She had hoped he
would not discover the new ornaments
until aflrr the reception, but his eye,
quick to note her loveliness, caught the
flashing Of the bandeau when he met her
Al the dressing room door.
'That is something l have not seen
before, is it not?' he said, as they passed
dO@n the long staircase. One of your
numerous bridal gifts, l suppose
She did not correct him; she said to
herself HAT they were too near the door
to enter into any explanations; but when
they had given their congratulations, and
mingled with the gay throng. she felt
that she had been gully OF an implicit
falsehood, and ii sunk like a weight upon
her spirits. She knew that her beauty,
and :aste, and good fortune were remark
ed upon, as she moved from room TO
room; but she was far from happy, and
even fancied that there was constraint
in her husbands manner towards her,
as they drove home almost the first of
the party.
Thus conscience doth make towards of us all >
the Jewel boxes were placed as far
out of sight as possible, and Mrs. Ralston
uied to forget her purchase. But this
was impossible; her lady friends begged
10 see the wonderous novelty in
their morning calls, and she was
Obliged 10 listen to comments and
exclamaiions that would have given
her the greatest pleasure, had it indeed
been bridal gifl. Clara, too, wonld
beg that the bandeau might be worn;
pleased with her own skill a. displaying
it, and more that, an empty porte mon
nale Obliged her TO remember the exlrav-
agant outlay most disagreeably. She
had never tried living without money
before; she had no idea there were SO
many impercepiible drains upon ones
Pnrse- a trifling miliner's bill, for a
head dress she had already wearied Of,
and given to Clara; gloves that were ab-
solutely necessary, slippers that were
SO fast in the scoltische, and polkas, OF
which she was SO fond one month
from quarter day; she was abso.
I4utely penniless-the worst and most
self degrading Of all poverty, for her
own recklessness had brought ii upon
her, and she dared not confess her fault.
1t was such constant humiliation; in.
debied to Clara for the very hair pins
she used; obliged to send away an un-
paid bill for the huting of her Iaces;
another for set Of breakfast caps, when
she knew the poor woman needed the
money. o, IL was very hard to bear,
without daring to confess even to her
own molherthe strait in which she was
placed.
Mr.. Ralston could butsee that she was
unhappy, but forbode TO ask the cause.
More than once he surprised her in tears,
and sometimes it seemed to throw su ch
a cloud over his enjoyment, that Hesse
was almost ready to confess all, and ask
his forgiveness.
You are not well; do not let US 90
out he said, one evening, as she came
down ready for a party.
% nO-you are mistaken; 1 am quite
well-never better in my life = she an
swered, hurriedly; for now she dreaded
more than anything else an evening alone
with him, lest he should inquire into the
reslles.ness he must have noticed.
Are you sure, Hesse? Then | will
ask you TO pay call with ms on our
way had intended to before
"A call? Why, its quite ten O'Clock.
Who or where? and 1 am dressed for
dancing. you know
1T does not matter. We should be
sure TO find the lady waiting-some one
l am greatly interested in; is not tha;
sufficient? She will excuse your dress,
1 am sure
Mrs. Ralston leaned back in the car
riage, and did not speak again until it
turned into an unfrequented part Of the
town. II was bright moonlight eve
ming, and she could see the small shops
and mean dwellings clustered together:
the street was so narrow that the carriage
could scarcely pass.
where is James going, Mortimer?-
surely he has missed the way. None
of your friends can live here. Do stop
him; we shall be too late; the carriage
could not turn here
He is quite right, Hesse, We are al
most there. This side, James-near that
grocery store. hope you have on boots
draw your cloak around you, for the air
will be very chilly
He still spoke so gravely and so sin
cerely. that she did not dare TO question
him, but followed silently, as he handed
her across the broken pavement, and up
a narrow. winding staircase, without a
CLEAN of light, save faint glimmer
from beneath some door, as they passed
he different landings. She elung closer