The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-03-19

ahairs, which he considered insulting trea
ment, he counted out the sum, and sent th
man on his way rejoicing. These two d.
mands satisfied, had made large deficit
that which he had appropriated for tho us
Of the morrow, and with still greater anxi
ETY. than when he at first set out for home
he once more wended his weary way, stri
wing to get up a little cheerfulness ere b
reached its threshold.
As he drew near the house he saw III
slight figure of his wife at her accustome,
post OF watching. "Really, she make
quite pretty tableau," ho said half.aloud
"but how much the room Is exposed TO pub
lie gaze, and she too. II appears rathe
bold to step out into the street with one'
parlor IL declare, I wish the house stoot
as II was before; should have been sparet
great deal Of uneasiness If 1t had no
been changed; heigh.ho!" And he spranl
up the steps. The next moment Maggy
was assisting him to remove his overcoat
and inquiring the cause Of his tardiness.-
Scarcely deigning to reply, he began te
speak Of her exposure ut the window.
al would keep the blinds, generally
closed, If were you, Mag; you are very
conspicuous when near the bay-window
and you had better find new place for YOU
workable" ........
"Why, John, what makes you so fault.
finding, tonight? suppose | can do my
sewing in the dining-room, or the titchen
il you wish but as to closing all the blinds
in my bay. window, ! don't think | shall; the
parlor would be very unpleasant without
sunshine"
"Plague on the fashion! wish we had
the plain windows here again, dislike the
very name Of this bay-window"
"How irritable you are, John"
If you knew how much trouble have
had in getting the money to pay Tor this
nonsensical thing, you wouldn't wondeIthat
I am irritable. l thought there would be
no hurry in settling for It, but everybody
seems determined to get all there Is due
them. | should have had enough to tax my
ingenuity to the utmost to meet the demands
Of my business, without this to vex me.
Aher this sober speech Maggy dared not
open her lips the evening passed IN 81.
lence-it was the gloomiest time she had
known since her marriage, and with heavy
heart she closed the window.b blinds, and re-
moved her little table to distant corner.
The next morning she relented, as If to
assert her authority without his dictation,
the blinds were again open, and the stand
in front of the window. Her love OF dis
play had lately increased she did not con-
slider it boldness, but enjoyed the admir-
ing glances that were cast upon her as she
sat there sewing, and was unwilling to give
up this pleasure. Yet indignant beyond
measure was she, when told at noon by
her husband, that atpersions had been cast
upon her character in consequence OF her
sitting there. A request which no had
made his neighbor Colville in regard to
his monetary difficulties had been cheer
fully granted by that gentleman, that morn
ing, aud he afterwards In friendliness, In
formed him Of the reports circulating in
regard to her familiarity with a young
clerk, who daily passed; he had himself
boasted of his acquaintance with her. She
acknowledged that the person In question,
an entire stranger, hubitually bowed as he
went by, but the compliment she never
returned, usually keeping her eyes upon
her work IL he were approaching. Never
had she by look or word overstepped the
bounds Of propriety while at the window.
'Well,' said John, u believe you, Mag
gy; but you know we should avoid even
the appearance of evil. was too hasty
in granting this folly, and am much more
blamable for allowing you in your thought
lessness, than you are for childishly seek.
ing the notice Of the multitude; shall
take caro- how | indulge your whims for
the future. What are you doing with that
table" he added, seeing her resolutely
remove 1t from the window.
1T is going to its old place in the cor.
ner. want you to fasten tho blinds Sc
curely, nobody but you will ever open them
again.
Many, as they pass Mr.. Cartons house,
wonder why its occupants do not enjoy
its pleasant bay.window. Mrs. Colville is
not Of these she appreciates the deter.
mination which has shut out the gaze OF
the world, and is frmer friend to Mag
gy than in the months that preceded this
change. And Margaret Carlton, as night
after night her husbands anxious brow be-
tokehed the trials Of the day, vainly wished
that her own foolish pride had not added to
them and inexpressively thankful was she
at last to hear him say that he had succeed
ed in paying every demadd. To be reliev-
cd from debt, he felt like the captive restor-
ed to freedom, and once more his merry
songs and Maggy's musical laugh enlivened
the long winter evenings.