The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-08-20
THE FIRST SHADOW.
By 7. 8. ARTHUR.

~nOlo year OF patent waiting, hau she
tnoved toward this blessed estate, all her
thoughts golden over, all her E,ucies radi
ant with love and beauty. And row she
was bride-a happy bride. lie who had
won her, WAS worthy to wear her as IL
crown. Kind, honorable and giftcd-his
praise was OH the lips of all men.
Yes, Ida was a happy bride. 1t WAS the
blooming, fragrant spriug-tinc. Singing
birds were in ill the trees, musical waters
gliding through the peaceful landscape; and
y cloudlcss sky bending over all. The
blessedness Of this new life was greater than
she had even imagined, in all the warmth
of her maiden f,ncies.
A moon had waxcd and wancd since the
lover became the husband a moon, drop
ping the sweets of Mount lly5la. 1t was
evening, and Ida stood by the window,
looking out through the dusky air. waiting
and wishing for the return Of her husband,
who was later than usual from his homc.-
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 linn at the door; opening it
ere his hand could ring the bell.
"Dcar Edwardm What gushing love
was in her voice! She raised her lips for
kiss, and a kiss was given. But somehow,
it's warmth did not go down TO her heart.
care you not well, dear?" she asked,
very tcndcrly, as they entered their pleas.
ant. little narlor; and she looked up into
his face and tried to read its cxprcssion.-
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 w;fe's cars-a sound that made
her heart trcmblc. And yet, his arm Was
around her, and hc held one Of her hands,
tightly COMPRISING it within his own.
1t grew dark in the room before tic gas
was lighted. When the strong rays fell
suddenly upon the face Of her husband, Ida
saw change there also. 1t was coudcd.
Not heavily cloudcd-Lut still in shadow.
Steadily and earnestly she looked at linn,
until lie turned his face partly away, TO cs,
cape the searching scrutiny.
"You are not well, Edward" Ida look
ed scrious-almost concerned.
"Don't trouble yourself I'm very
we'll"
lie smiled, and patted her check, play
fully-or rather, with an attempt at play
fulness. Ida was not deceived. a change
had passed over her husband. Something
was wrong. IIe was not as he had been.
In due time te:. was announced, and the
little family party of two gathered around
the table in tho neat breakfast room.
y "Burnt toast and dish-wa,er tea as usu-
al y. These were tho first words spoken by
the young husband, after sitting down to
the3table; and the manner in which they
were uttered, left Ida III no doubt as to his
state of feeling. How suddenly was the
ne|goId dimmed.
A few hours earlier the young husband
had called in to see his mother, an orderly,
industrious woman, and notable house
keeper. AS usual, he was full Of the praise
of his beautiful young wife, in whom he
had seen nothing to blaine-nothng below
perfection. But his mother had looked on her
with different eyes. Living in the world
was, with her, mo holiday affair, and mar
. sriage no honeymoon. She was too serious
I. in al. hor views.and feelings to have mucl,
patience with wllatsh esteemed mere play
day life: A ttlc,jeaIous Of her sons atfcc-
<tion, she was, withal and its going forth
TO anothcr,s with an ardor so different from
what it had ever gone forth to herself
made ;her feel GOLD. toward the dear little
wife Of Edward, who was its favored OBJ
) jeer Z
"Itis tinne," she said; with distance OF
imanher that surprised her son, "for you
!. and Ida Ito boa little serious. The honey
! Sfiboon us over, and the quicker you come
] down 10 s6beE, realities tho better. There
g one thing aIoat Ida that rather disap.
points ms.ss =.
adNard was too MUCH, surprised at this
unexpes.ed4 annuncIation, to speak: His
4 fp0Glar went on, -..- .,.-7
3, B B. ssl s'hesn no l,ousskesper {
8 : sssasbas young; mother. She'll learn"
he Said interrppting her
"she had no right to marry until she
knaw low. to make a-cpp of ten !" The
Z, cid slssly spoksewith considerable asperity.
lotheF n 81
$jast what r'Geau.. Not single
: cup Of Tea have / yet tasted in your house,
that was II to drink! don't know how
you acan put up with such stuff. You
wouldn't have done it at my table, I'm very
sure"