Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-06-02

gifts with which she meant to delight
him. What troop of pleasant fancies
was in her heartl How almost impa-
tirntly, did she wait 70 rthe coming twi
light, which was to dawn, not ap-
preaching darkness, to her!
Al last, she heard the step OF her bus
band in the passage. and her pulse leap
ed with futiering delight. Like bird
upon the wing, she almost flew down 10
meet him. impatient for the kiss that
awaited her.
To men in the world of business, few
days pass without their disappointments
and perplexities. 1t is mems business
to bear this in manly. spirit. They
form but a portion of life's discipline.
and should make them stronger. Drawer,
and more enduring. Unwisely, and We
may say unjuslly. too many men fail TO
leave their business cares and troubles in
their work shops or counting houses, at
the days decline. They wrap them in
| buhdles and carry them home TO shadow
their households.
Ii was so with the young husband on
this particular occasion. The stream of
business had taken an eddying whirl,
and thrown his ssel backwards instead
of onwards, for brief space; and, tho
il was still in the current and gliding
safely onward again, the jar and disap
poiniment had frelted his mind severely.
There WAS no heart warmth in the ki,s
he gave his wife, not because his love
for her had failed in any degree, but be-
cause he had let care overshadow love
He drew his arm around her, bat she
was conscious OF diminished pressure
in that embracing arm. .
care you not weIi?" she inquired.
With what tender concern was the
question asked!
"Very we9," he replied.
He might be in body, but not in mind.
that was plain-for his voice was tar
from being cheerful.
She played and sang his favorite piec
es, hoping to restore, by charm of mu
sic; brightness to his spirit. But she was
conscious of partial success. There was
still gravity in his manner never per
ceived before. At tea-;ime she smiled
upon hun so sweetly across the table,
and talked TO him on such attractive
themes, that the bright expression re,
turned TO his counlenancs. and he look
ed as happy as she could desire.
From the tea table they returned to
their pleasant parlor. And now the
time had come for offering her gift, and
receiving the coveted reward of glad
surprise, followed by sweet kisses and
loving words. Was she selfsh9 Did
s. think more of her reward than of the
pleasure she would bestow? But that
Is questioning too closely.
Il will be back in moment" she
said; and. passing from the room, she
went lightly up stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her
secret, with which her husband was to
be surprised. Scarcely had her loving
face faded from before bis eyes. when
thought returned with single bound, 10
an unpleasant event Of the day; and the
waters of his spirit were again troubled.
He had actually arisen and crossed the
floor once or twice, moved by restless
concern, when his wife came back with
the dressing gown and slippers. She
was trying to force her countenance into
a quiet exression, TO hold back the
smiles that were constantly striving to
break in truanl circles around her lips,
when a single glance at her husbands
face told her that the spirit driven away
by the exorcIsm of her love, had return
ed again TO his bosom. He looked at
her soberly as she came forward.
"What are these" he asked, almost
coldly, rerressing surprise, and affecting
an ignorance that he did not feel in-re-
gard 10 the beautiful presents she held in
her hands.
They are for you, dear" was the re-
ply; l made them
For mer' be exclaimed; "Nonsense!
What do want with such jim -crackery?
this is woman's wear. Do you think l
would dis6gure my feet with en-
broidered slippers, or dress up in that
gown? Put them away, dear. Your
husband is too much of man to robe
himself in gay colOrs. like clown or an
actor" and he waved his hand with an
air of conten pt.
There was cold. sneering manner
about him, partly affected and partly
real-the result of his uncomfortable
state of mind. Yet he loved his sweet
wife, and would not, of set purpose, have
wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel
reception of her present, oyer which
she had wrought patiently. in golden
hope, for many days-this dashing to
the earth of her brimful cup of joy. just
as it touched her lips. was more than
the fond young wife colld bear. To