Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-08
WlSE1l D a u EOUS,
THE FIRST SHADOW.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.


whole year of patient waiting, had she
moved toward this blessed estate, all her
thoughts golden over, all her fancies radi
ant with love and beauty And now she
was bride-a happy bride He who had
won her, was worthy to wear her as a
crown. Kind, honorable and gifted-his
praise was on the lips of all men.
Yes, Ida was happy bride. 1t was the
blooming, fragrant spring-time. Singing
birds were in all the trees; musical waters
glided through the peaceful landscape !; and
cloudlcss sky bending over all. The
blessedness Of this new life was greater
than she had ever imagined, in all the
warmth of her maiden fancies.
A moon had waxed and waned since the
lover became the husband /; a moon drop
ping the sweets of Mount Hybla. 1t was
evening, and Ida stood by the window
looking out through the dusk waiting and
wishing for the return of her husband,
who was later than usual from home. At
last, her glad eyes caught glimpse of his
well known form, and starting back from
the window, she went with springing steps
to meet him at the door; opening it ere his
hand could ring the bell.
Dear Edward What gushing love
was in her voice. She raised her lips for
a kiss, and kiss was given. But somehow,
its warmth did not go down into her heart
Are you not well dear 2 she asked, very
tenderly, as they entered their pleasant lit
tie parlor; and she looked up into his face
and tried to read his expressions. But the
twilight was too deep.
quite as well as usual, love- The voice
OF her husband was low and gentle but it
had new and changed sound for the
young wife's cara sound that made her
heart tremble. And yet, his arm was
around her, and he held one of her hands
tightly compressing it within his own.
1t grew dark in the room before the gas
was lighted. When the strong rays fell
suddenly upon the face of her husband,
Ida saw change there also. 1t was cloud
ed. Not heavily clouded-but in shadow
Steadily and earnestly she looked at him,
until he turned his face partly away, to
escape the searching scrutiny.
You are not well Edward p Ida looked
serious-almost concerned
Don't trouble yourself, I'm very WE'LL
He smiled and patted her cheek playful
ly-or, rather with an attempt at playful
ness. Ida was not deceived. A change
had passed over her husband He was not
as he had been.
In due time tea was announced, and the
little family party Of two gathered around
the table in the neat breakfast room
Burnt toast and dish water tea, as usu-
al" These were the first words spoken by
the young husband, after sitting down to
the table; aud the manner in which they
were uttered, left Ida in no doubt as to his
state of feeling. How suddenly was the
fine gold dimmed
A few hours earlier the young husband
had called in to see his mother, an orderly
industrious woman, and q notable house
keeper. As usual, he was full of the praise
of his beautiful young wife, in whom he
had yet seen nothing to blame-nothing
below p erfection But his mother had
looked at her with different eyes. Living
in the world was, with her, no holiday affair,
and marriage no mere honeymoon. She
was too serious in all her views and feelings,
to have much patience with what she es-
teemed mere playday life. A little jealous
of her sons affection, she was, withal and
his going forth to another, with an ardor
SO different from what it had ever gone
forth to herself, made her feel cold toward
the dear little wife of Edward, who was his
favored object.
1T is time she said, with distance of
and Ida to be little serious. The honey
moon is over, and the quicker you come
down to sober realities the better There
is one thing about Ida that rather disap
points me.
Edward was too much surprised, at this
unexpected annunciation, to speak. His
mother went on.
She's no housekeeper -
She's young, mother. She'll learn, he
SAID, interrupting her.