The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-09-25


A close. tender, indefa,igable nurse, such as
none but wife can be; as fondly watchful
-ay, and as gratefully and adoringly
watched, my husband told me. by the sick
mans dim eyes, as If she had been wife
bound for years in near, continual house.
bold bonds, instead Of having been totally
estranged from him since the first six months
Of union.
But no one ever spoke or thought Of ths at
now.
DR.. Merchiston slowly improved. though
he was still totally helpless, and his weak
ness remained that of very infant.
In this state he was when was first ad-
mtted to his sick chamber.
Mrs. Merchiston sat AT the window sew.
ing. The room was bright and pleasant;
she had brought into il all those cheerful
nesses which can alleviate the long to be
endured suffering from which all danger is
past. When | thoughtNof the former rs
pect and atmosphere Of the house, it did
not seem the least sad now; for Barhara's
eyes had permanent, mild, satisfied beam,
and her husbands. which were ever dwell.
ling on her face and form, were full of the
cal NEST, most entire happiness.
1 sat with them a good while. and did
not marvel at his saying ere left, that he
thoroughly enjoyed being ill.,"
With what a solemn. sublime evenness
is life meted out! Barbara has told me
since that those five months following he.
husbands accident were the most truly hap.
py her life had ever known.
"Look at him." she WHISPERED to me one
evening when he lay BY the window, half
doing. having been for the firs, time nj
lowed faint attempt NJ loconotion, though
he was still Obliged 20 be waited upon hand
and foot-'Mrs. Rivers. did YOU ever see so
beautiful srnlel Yet il i nothing com
pared tn that when he was very. very I'LL,
when first began To nurse and tend him:
and he did nothing but watch me about
the rom, and call me his Barbara. am
here, Evanl Did you calI?"
She was at his side in moment.
smoothing his pillow. leaning over and
caressing him. think he was not aware
of any one in the room bu, their two selves.
for he fondied her curls and her soft cheeks.
"My Barbara, we have had little ray
or comfort in our sad life. How happy we
have been in this sick room!'
I'VE hdre Jeen, Evanl"
"Ay; but nothing lasts in this world
notl.ing!''
Husband, that is like one of your NOR
bid sayings when we were first married.
But | will not have il now will not
indeed" And she closed his mouth with n
pretty peiulance. lie lifted his hand to re.
move hers, then sunk back.
Barbara, am growing strong again: |
can use my right arm. O Heaven, my
right arm! | am not helpless anv longer
no. thank God! But YOU speak MS il
you were shocked and terrified"
Il am am. With strength comes--
O my Barbara"
His wife, alarmed, called out my name.
DR.. Merchiston caught at it. Is Mrs. Riv.
ers therei Bid her come in, bid anybody
come in. All! yes, that is WELL"
After pause, which seemed more Of
mental than physical exhaustion, he be
came himself again for the remainder of the
evening.
The next day he sent for me, aud in
MIS-. Merchston absence talked with me
long while about her. He feared her
health would give way; he wished her TO
be more with me; he hoped tha, | would
impress upon her that it made him misera-
BILE to see her spending all her days and
nights III his sick room.
What In the only place in the world
wnere she has real happinessl'
"Do you think sol is she never happy
but with mel Then Heaven forgive mel
Heaven have pity on mel" he groaned.
'Dr. Merch,ston, you surely do not in
tend 10 send your wife from you again
your forgiving, loving wifei'
Before he could answer she came in
went away thoroughly angry and misera.
BILE. That evening indulged James with
such long harangue on the heartessness
OF his sex, that, rs said, he must have been
less man than an .ngel to have borne il.
When | told him the cause, he ceased all
general arguments, sat a long time thought
tul, burning his boots against ihe bars Of
the grale, finally sent me to bed and did
not himself follow I'LL midnight
DIR. MerchistoI's cure progressed; in the
same ratio his wife's cheerfnlness declined.
lie grew day bv dav moro melancholy. ir.
ratable, and cold. By the time he was re
leased from his helpless condition, the icy
barrier between them had risen up again.
She made no complaint, but the facts were
evident.
Ny husband and I. by his express desire.
spent almost every evening ut the Double
House. Very painful and dreary evenings
they Aere. Con valescence seemed to the
poor patient no happness-onIy terror,
misery, and pain.
One night, just Ms We were leaving. ma
king An attempt AT cEeerfulpess-for it was
the first feat he had performed at walking,
and his wife had helped him across the
room with triumphant joy-he said, break
ing from a long reverie: STAY a few min.
nles more; want to speak with you both" ,"
We sat dowa. He fell back in his chair.
and covered his eyes. AT length Mrs. Mer
chist"n gently took the hands away.
u. a '. 4 4