Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-02-12

| dldn t.
The heart of Ellen Howard beat quick
ly that night as the sun went over the
house-tops, for her ear caught the
sound of a we'll known football in the
hall.
Then a culver of pride rippled ovel
the red lip, and when her husband en-
tered the room, instead of springing for.
ward, as she had always previously done
to receive his caresses, she remarked
quietly, lifting her eyes from the pages
which she had been for the last two
hours perusing:
"You are late this evening Hen.
ry:"
The voice, the manner, chilled the tide
of warm feeling wkch had been gaining
depth and strength all the afternoon
for Henry Howard had returned with
the intention of making full con.
cessions to his wife for all that was
hasty or unkind in his conduct al
noon.
But the words he was about to speak
died on his lips, as he met the cool, al
most ironically courteous reception, and
simply remarking:-
"Yes, was unavoidably detained, -
and seated himself by the fire, and took
up book.
In little time they went out to sup
per. How unlike it was to former ones
The lamp still poured its soft, silvery
shine on the white china, and the
glittering urn; but the smiles which
had sweeted the tea, and the loving
words which had given richer fla
vor to the mullins, were no longer
there.
But shadow on two loving hearts
and breach widening continually
between them-these were there.
And so the meal ended. Alas! it was
but the type of others.
Two days had passed away, and the
GOODNESS which had sprung up between
the newly married pair still continued.
s'I can bear it no longer, this very
night will go to him, and lay my cheek
against his own, just as 1 used to do:
and say to him, Henry, put your arm
around me and call me your own Mel
lie once more or my heart will break. .
II can't bear it any longer-I've got
so dread to go home; don't. believe
Nellie loves me as we'll as thought she
did, - said the young merchant as hemade
his way homeward with weary step,
very unlike his former quick, joyous
gait.
And they met again, and the old
demon pride came back to both hearts,
and neither dreamed of the bitterness
which each was melting out to the
other.
Il am going out lite while tonight,
Ellen, 1 shall return early" She bowed
her head-that was all, for the tears was
coming, and she would not that he should
see them.
"And he could leave me thus-all
alone without one kind word, murmur-
ed the now really wretched wife, as she
heard the door close, and the footsteps
grow fainter in the distance.
Then she threw herself on the lounge,
and burying her brown head in the Grim
son cushions, wept long and bitterly, and
between the sobs that convulsed the fig
ure of Ellen Howard, came the self-ac-
cusing words, ooh! if had only told
him.
At last, exhausted with her violent
weeping, the lids closed over her eyes,
and Mrs. Howard sank into a heavy
slumber.
She started up quickly, for the silvery
voiced time piece had broke in with its
story of ten o'clock, on the hush which
filled the room.
"And he has not come yet! He who
never left me alone an evening before
Oh! if harm should have befallen him =
And pang shot through the heart which
had been very heavy before with its
weight of shadows.
She went to the window, and locked
up at the clear, cold stars. She went to
the door, and listened for his footsteps;
then she went to the CRATE, and stirred up
the glowing bed of anthracite, until a
golden light filled all the room, but still
he came not.
Eleven o'clock came, and he was not
there.
Twelve o'clock, and Ellen Howard sat
alone.
One o'clock what pen shall record
the sufferings, which during those two
long hours had been the portion OF btrs'
Howard.
The bell rang-it was loud startling
peak she sprang up, and hurried tc
the door, for all the domestlcs hao re-
tired.
There were two gentlemen there-she
recognized them as acquaintances, but
the third-one glance, and she grasp
ed the door handle, or she would have
fallen.
"Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Howard,
said one of the gentlemen; '.your HUSBAND
has not experienced any injury, and
good nights rest will restore him. H,
was at supper given by one of our clul
this evening, and, unfortunately, drani
rather freely"
They carried him in, his wife leadin'
the way with faltering steps; laid him OF
the bed, and Immediately departed. Sh
, was alone with him, and the scales ha
t fallen from her mental eyesight.
She saw then how truly he had love
E her, how the pride of both had drive
< him from his home that evening, and
c the sin which he had been guilty, an