Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-18

ing too closely.
~ will be back in moment" she said and
passing from the room, she went lightly up tn
stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her secret, or
rather, the possession Of o secret with which lie
husband was to he surprised. Scarcely had he
loving face faded from before his eyes, whel
thought returned, with single bound, to an un
pleasant event of the day and the waters of hi
spirit were again troubled. He had actually q
risen and crossed the floor once or twice, NOV
ed by restless concern, when his wife cam
back with the dressing gown and slippers. Sh
was trying to force her countenance into glea
expression, to hold back the smiles that wer
continually striving to break in truant circles a
round her lips, when single glance at her hus
bands face told her that the spirit driven ava.
by the exorcism of ler love, had returned a
gain to his bosom. He loo,,.ed at her soberly o
she came forward.
"What are these ~ he asked, almost coldly, re
pressing surprise, and affecting an ignorance tina
he did not feel in regard to the beautiful presen
she held in her hands.
"They are for you, DEAR" was the reply. ="
made them"
"For me !" he exclaimed. Nonsense Wha
do ! want with such jimcrackery? This is wo
mans wear. Do you think would dis6gnr
my feet with embroidered slippers, or dress NJ
in that gown9 Put them away, dear, your hus
band is too much of man to robe himself il
gay colors, like clown or an actor" And III
waved his hand with an cir of contempt.
There was cold, sneering manner about him
partly affected and partly real-the result of hi
uncomfortable state of mind. Yet he loved hi
sweet wife, and would not, Of set purpose, hav'
wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel reception
of her present, over which she had wrought pa
tiently, in golden hope, for many days-thi
dashing to the earth of her brimful cup of joy
lust as it touched her lips, was more than tn
fond young wife could bear. To hide the tear
that came rushing to her eyes, she turned ava.
from her husband and, to conceal the serbs sh
had no power to repress, she went almost hur
riedly from the room, and, going back to tn
chamber, from whence she had brought the pres
ent, she laid it away out of sight in closet
Then covering her face with her hands, she sa
down, and strove with herself to be calm. Blu
the shadow was too deep-the heart-ache to-
heavy.
In a little while her husband followed her, ,ant
discovering, something to his surprise, that sh'
was weeping, said, in a slightly reprovng voice
"Why, bless me not in tears What a silly lit
tie puss you are Why didn't you tell me yot
thought of making dressing gown and pail
of slippers, and would have vetoed the matter
at once2 You couldn't pursuade Inc to weal
such Haunting things. Come back to the par
lor," he said, taking hold Of her arm, "and sing
and play upon the piano. The Dream Waltz,
or The Tremolo,' Dearest May, or The Silly
Night are worth more to me than forty dress
ing gowns, or q cargo of embroidered slippers"
Almost by force lie led her back to the par.
lor, and placed her on the music stool. He Sc
ected favorite piece and laid it before her,
But tears were in her eyes, and she could not
see note. Over the keys her fingers passed in
skilful touches; but when she tried to take up
the song, utterance failed, and sobs broke forth
instead of words.
show foolish !" said the husband, in Yexed
tone. II am surprised at your. Ard be turI-
ed from the piano and walked across the room.
"a little while the sad young wife remained
where she was left thus alone, and in partial an
ger. Then rising, she went slowly from the
room-her husband not seeking to restrain her,
and going back to her chamber, sat down in
darkness"
The shadow which had been cast upon her
spirit was very deep; and though the hidden
sun came out again right early, it was a long
time before his beams had power to scatter the
clouds that aoated in loves horizon.
The shadows we cast! Father, husband, wife,
sister, brother, son, neighbor-are we not all
casting shadows daily, on some hearts that are
pining for the sunlight of our facesG We have
given you two pictures of life's true pictures,
not as a mirror, but as q kaleidoscope. In all
their infinitely varied relations, men and women,
selfshly or tboughtlessly y-from design, weak
ness, or ignorance-are casting their shadows
upon hearts that are pining for sunlight A
word, look, tone, an act will cast shadow,
and sadden q spirit for hours and days. Speak
kindly, act kindly, be forgetters of self, and re-
garders of Others, and you will cast but few
shadows along the path oflife. The true gentle
man is always tender of the feelings of others
always watchful lest he wound unintentionally
always thinking when with others, of their
pleasure instead of his own. He cast but few
shadows. Be gentlemen-laGies, or-in word
that includes all graces and excellencies-be
Christans-for it is the Christian who casts
fewest shadows Of all