True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-28
2, ZZ.,2RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor,

But the words he was about to speak
died on his lips, as be met the cool. al
most ironically courteous reception, and
simply remarking, "Yes, | was una
voidably detained" he 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.
Tne lamp still poured its soft, sill
very shine on the white china, and the
gliltering urn but the smiles which had
sweelened The tea, and the loving
words which had given richer flavor to
the mullins, were no longer there.
But shadow on two loving hearts
and breach widening continually be.
tween ,hem-tllese were there.
And so The meal ended. Alas ! it was
but the type of Others.
Two days had passed away, and
the coldness which had sprung up
between the newly married pair still con-
linued.
II can bear it no longer; this very
night | will go to him. and lay my cheek
against his. just as used to, and say to
HIM. Henry, put your arms around me-
and call me your own Nellie once mure,
or my heart will break"
III can't bear il any longer-rve got
so dread to 60 home: | don't believe
Nellie loves me as well as l thought she
did, said the young merchant as he made
his way homeward with a weary step,
very unlike his former quick, joyous
gait.
And they met again and the old demon
pride came back 10 both hearts, and nei'
ther dreamed Of the bitterness which
each was meeting out 10 the other.
q" am going out little while tonight,
Ellen {; | 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-al
alone without one kind worj,'' murmur
ed the now really wretcted 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, ant
be ween the sobs that convused The fig
ure of Ellen Howard, came the self-ac
cusing words, "Oh, if | had only told
him.
AT last, exhausted with her violen,
weeping, the lids closed over her e, es
and Mrs. Howard sank into heavy slum
Der.
She started up quickly, for the Silvery
voiced time piece had broke in with its
stury often o'clock, on the hush which
filled the room.
"And lie has not come yet! He wh'
never left me alone an evening before
Oh if harm should lave befallen him
Aud pang shot through the heart whicl
had been very heavy before with its weigh
Uf shadows.
She went to the window, and louket
up at the clear, cold stars. She went II
the door, and listened for his footsteps
then she went TO ,he>grate, and stirred ul
the glowing bed of anthracite, until gol
den light fl lied all the room, but still b
came not.
Eleven O'Clock came, and he was nc
there. ~,.
Twelve o'clock, and Ellen Howard So
alone.
One o'clock what pen shall recor
the suherings, which during those tw
long hours had been the portion Of Mr.:
Howard.
The bell rang-it was loud starllin
peal she sprang up, and hurried
the door, for all lhe domes,ics had retll
ed.
} There were two gentleman there-sh
recognized them as acquaintance, bu
The lhird-one glance, and she grasI
edihe door handle, or she would hay
fallen.
"-Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Howard,
. said one the gentlemen; your husban
5 has not experienced any injury, and
e good nights rest will restore him. H
was at supper given by one of our cil
this evening, and. unfortunately, drar
$ rather freely" They carried him i
a his wife leading the way with lallerir
steps; laid him on the bed, and immed
ately departed. She was alone with hi
and the scales had fallen from her ment
eyesight.
: She saw then how trrly he had low
g her, how the pride Of both had drive
9 him from his home that evening, and
Q tho sin which he had ocen guilty, and 81
shuddered at.lhe brink to which both hi
e been drawing nigh.
d She put back the thick hair from h
|, broad burning forehead, moaning all d
o time over the unconscious man words
I, love and tenderness, which, had tn,
h been spoken earlier, would never ha
/ found him there; and al last, when
i hid fallen into that heavy slumber, whi
is too frequently the accompaniment
Q inebriety, she went into the parlor, al
6 kneeling down in The FIRE shine, pray