True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-07-22

could feel satisfied.
ENTIRELY. dear guardian"
Mr. Blandon burst into bitter laugh.
Kate smiled, and went to dress for dinner.
Mr.. BIandon paced the room in agita-
tlOn.
"Heavens !" he cried, "who would
have thought to find In that pretty cheer
ful, little CIR! an old negotiator She
has regular market-woman's head, with
her bargains ! deceived myself. l
thought she loved me, would devote her
self to me, cheer my life to its very closet"
But as he recurred to their late CONVEX
sation, and thought Of her hope of being
"an old man S darling" he could but re-
member that she was equally disappoint-
ed. "a couple of FOOLS" was his con-
cIusion.
His wife went home without another
word. and strove TO please him in all
things. Every one said she was a pat
tern wife, and Mr.. BIandon SAID so, too,
in his nmosl heart, except that he thought
her goodness proceed from no love for
him, only from sweet disposition, nea.
habits, and conscientious cheerluIness,
which made every duty pleasant.
But he grew morose, for he felt that
he was no pattern husband. He seemed
tormented with The desire to see how far
he could TAX her patience He was ex-
acting of every wifely attention, and re-
Iuclant in performing his own part of the
"bargain " He was angry if she asked
nothing of him, yet he resisted every de-
mand, and appeared like boy compelI-
ed tn task. He also displayed the most
) unreasonable jealousy.
He grew more wretched every day,
and more ntoerabIe. 1t was evident,
} even TO strangers, that Mrs. Bandon was
not her husbands "darling.' She often
. sighed to think she had ever dreamed
such a thing possible. Winter passed
thus, and in the spring they went again
. To the cottage. The day after their ar
rival Anne Wilbank and her handsome
. brother called. Kate walked with them
| in the garden, and Mr.. BlandOn watched
. the patty from the window. He was
| surprised out of his brown study, by the
entrance, in unceremonlous country FASH
, ion, of his own brother Robert, whom he
had not seen for years. The greeting
= was very cordial, and they sat down tc
! talk over their personal affairs.
$780," said Robert Blandon, you are
married. Bill. And are you happier :"
5 "No-hang it 4! I'm miserable"
Is it your wlfe's fault 7"
"No," (savagely.) The brother look
ed troubled, but forbore questions, which
! Mr.. Bandon no sooner perceived, than
he told him the state of the case, ending
with, "She is cheerful young thing, and
am suIky old tyrant. But | can't gel
.. over it. Every time that | feel she does
no: love me, l could almost strike her.
Her goodness for du,y's sake only exas
perates me. Why cannot she love me a
, little -
: "You say" answered Robert, "tha
she is cheereful. l see myself that she
S is, and that she is very sweet-ooking ant
5 pretty" He was observing her from the
L. window. At this moment Mr. Wilbanb
gave each of the ladies little bunch o
e sweet vioIets which he had gathered, anc
e Kate looked extremely pleased with his
t courtly air.
i "And you say" continued Robert
e ''lhat you are miserable. Now it mus
t be either that your conscience reproaches
you with want OF kindness to her, or else
a that loveing her, you think her unwor
a thy."
e William remained silent.
e "Now, Will, that face is TOO serene
d ever to have been troubled with rea
o heart ache, and if she don't love you,
, am sure she don't love any one else. S,
t she has certainly heart 10 hestow. II
J. were you, | wouldn't extend much hos
|. pilality to that gay Lotharo out there, o
e to any other handsome fellow, so long a
= | wore such dark looks myself. Do 20,
: see that she is pleased with his petit
d soins :"
J, "He don't dare, ,"-cried William, hi
eyes flashing fire.
e "Stop, stop, Will. He is sonly show
e ing everyday politeness, and the little al
n Of pleased surprise see in your wife
= lace, proves, | am afraid, that she is nc
'e accustomed to much chivalric devotion
70 on your part. Do you ever pick up he
II fan for her, or give her flower :"
"No. Such little attentions are du
,r from her to me, in consideration of wha
r. | have always been to her as guardian, an
to my age. agreed TO no suce ;rifling.
e. "They are her right not yours. J
y wife ought to have no more willing servi
y tor than her husband, and by your negl
: gence, you allow every gentleman, eve1
stranger, that she meets with for tn
e.. first time, to be more attentive 10 her tina
yourself. AIRY gentleman but yourse
| would pick up her fan; therefore, logica
p ly, she is less to you than to others. y
Robert shrugged his shoulders. Williar
Iy blushed.
!" "Ought Ito be her slave p he aske
le sullenly.
c. "Nonsense, viii. Is thai fellow OF