Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-07-23

| the season OF young love ardor, ne1
eyes were ever beaming when they
turned upon his countenance.
And yet it was even so. It was be-
cause he hoped to live all his after life
in the warmth of those glances, that he
had wooed and won her in the bright
days of her young womanhood. And
when he saw the light growing daily
DINNER, and felt its genial warmth dim
inishing, a shadow fell upon his spirit.
Very kind, very attentive the husband
remained, but the wife became aware of
| u certain coldness toward herself that
was far from being as pleasant as the
love-like manner with which he had
formerly treated her; and many times
she sighed for the tones and glances
she saw him give to other ladies, and he
sighed for like tokens of interest from
herself Both were in error, and both
in certain sense to blame.
On the evening referred to, the con-
trast between the manner of his wife to
himself and to other men who showed
her little attentions, was felt with more
than usual distinctness by Mr.. Archer
He was not jealous, for he knew the
truth of her character, nor offended, but
hurt. Almost any price would have
been paid for the bright return another
received for simple act, the double of
which on his part, would scarcely re-
ceived passing notice.
Not long after this, Mr.. Archer saw
his wife drop her handkerchief Step
ping forward, from where he stood talk
ing with lady, he lifted it from the
floor and placed it in her hand. His
eyes were fixed upon her countenance,
but she did not SO much as return his
look, nor make the slightest acknow-
ledgment merely receiving the hand
kcrchiet with a quiet Indifference, in
striking contrast with the way in which
she had taken the glove from anothers
hand. Mr.. Archer was disappointed
The dropping flowers in his heart were
pining for sunbeams, and he hoped for
4 few bright rays. But they were not
given.
A lady to whom Mrs. Archer had
been introduced that evening, and who
was a stranger to both herself and hus-
band, sat by her side. They had been
conversing with some animation, and
were interested in each other. The
lady was struck by the marked difference
with which Mrs. Archer received these
two slight attentions from different gen
tlemen. She had observed the polite
response made when the glove was
handed to its owner, and was pleased
with the graceful manner of her new
acquaintance. The cold, almost repul-
sive way in which she accepted the
handkerchief, was therefore noticed the
AiCfinofl1r Sho fhof ho -
dividual who presented it, was disap-
pointed if not hurt. Her inference was
natural.
The gentleman is no favorite of
yours" he remarked.
"What gentleman Mrs. Archer
looked curious.
"He who lifted your handkerchief
just now"
"Why do you think SOP" There
was slightly amused expression in the
corners of Mrs Archer's mouth.
"You treated him very coldly-al-
most rudely, I thought-pardon me for
saying so-quite differently from the
way in which you treated the gentle
man who picked up your glove few
minutes ago."
n SpISSlO ONCI GhO
of Mrs Archer
"Oh, he's only my husband' - she
made an answer.
The one who lifted the glove ?''
"No-the one who gave me my hand
kerchief"
"Only your husbandl"
The lady spoke in a tone that Mrs.
Archer could not Eelp feeling as a re-
buke.
He's my husband said she, "and
does not expect me to be particularly
ceremonious-he picked up my hand
kerchief as a thing of course. The
other was mere acquaintance, half
stranger in fact-and mere formal ac-
knowledgment of his polite attention
could not have been admitted without
rudeness."
"I'm afraid, said the lady guardedly,
SO as not to give offence, " that some Of
us are scarcely just to our husbands in
the matter of exterior courtesy. [ know
that had not been, and lesson once
received will never be forgotten
The eyes of Mrs Archer turned, by
kind of instinct. towards her husband.
He was standing near a brilliant gas
lamp, the light of which was falling
clearly on his face. His glance was
upon the floor. There was shadow up
on his countenance which the strong
light instead of obliterating, made more
distinctly visible look of disappoint-
ment, that was almost sad.
A new thought flashed into the mind
of Mrs. Archer, snd touched her with
feeling of tender self upbraiding. Was
it possible that her husband had felt her
manner as cold, or Indifferent? Was it
possible that he had noticed the bland
ness of her manner towards one who
was but little less than stranger, and
contrasted it as the lady had done, with
her seeming Indifference to himself?
Her eyes were still on his face, when he
lifted his own from the floor and turned
them full upon her. They were dull
and spiritlcss. A little while they lin
gered upon her, and then moved slowly
away, as if seeking some object pleas
anter to look upon. For some time