The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-12

thrown his vessel backwards, instead o
onwards, for brief space; and though /
was still in the current, and gliding safe
" onward again, the jar and disappoint
ment had fretted his mind severely
There was no heart.warmth in the kis,
he gave his wife, not because love had
failed in any degree, but because he had
let care overshadow love. He drew his
arm around her; but she was conscious
of a diminished pressure in that embrac
Ing arm.
"Are you not welll" she inquired.
With what tender concern was the
question asked! tr
"Very WE'LL" he replied. ..
He might be in body, butnot in mind (;
that was plain-for his voice was far
ir,m being cheerful.
She played and sang his fayorite pieces,
hoping to restore, by the charm Of music,
lightncss to his spirit. But she was con-
scious ofonly partial success. There was
a gravity in his manner never perceived
before. At tea-timc she smiled upon him
so sweetly across the table, and talked to
him on such attractive themes, that the
bright expression returned to his coun-
teuance and he looked as happy as she
could desire.
From the tea.tablc they returned to
their pleasant parlor. And row the time
had come for offering her gift, and re-
cciving the coveted reward of glad sur
prise, followed by sweet kisses and loving
words. Was she selfish Did she think
moro of her reward than OF the pleasure
she would bestow! But that is question
ing too closely.
81 will be back in moment" she said |;
and passing from the room, she went light
ly up stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her
secret or rather the possession Of a secret,
with which her husband was to be sur
prised. Scarcely had her loving face
faded from before his eyes, when thought
returned, with single bound, to an un-
pleasant event of the day; and the waters
OF his spirit were againtroublcd. He ac-
tually had arisen and crossed the floor
once or twice, moved by a restless con-
cern, when his wife came back with the
dressing-gown and slippers. She was
trying to force her countcnance into n
quiet expression, to hold back the smiles
that were continually striving TO break in
truant circles around her lips when a
single glance at her husbands face told
her that the spirit driven away by cxor-
clsm of her love had returned again to
his bosom. lie looked at her soberly as
she came forward: -
"What are these" he asked, almost
coldly rcprcssing surprise, and affecting
an ignorance that he did feel in regard
TO the beautiful presents she held in her
hands. ...... LID,
"Thcy are for You, DEAR" was the re-
ply. al made them" .,
"For me J" he exclaimed. "Nonsensc !
What do want with such jimcrackery Z
This is woman's wear. DO you think |
would disfgurc my feet with embroidcr-
cd slippers, or dress up in that gown ,
Put them away dear. Your husband is
too much of man to robe himselfin gay
colors, like clown or an actor" And
he waved his hand with an air Of con-
tempt.
There was a cold snccring manner
about him, partly affected and partly real
the result o, 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 rcpulsc-this cruel
recc 'tion other present, over which she
had wrought patiently, in golden hope,
Tor many days-this Lashing TO the earth
OF her brimful cup Of JOY, just as it touch
ed her lips, was more than the fond
young wife could bear. To hide the tears
that came rushing to her eyes, she turn
ell away from her husband; and to con.
ceal the sobs s.ie had no power to re.
press, she went almost hurriedly from
the room; and, going back from the
chamber from whence she had brought
tie present, she laid it away out Of sight
in the closet. Then covering her face
with her hands, she sat down and strovC
with herself to be calm. But the shad.
ow was too deep-thc heart ache toe
heavy.
In little while her husband followed
her, and discovering, something to hi
surprise, that she was weeping, sa,d in 1
slight reproying voice. "Why, bless me
not in tears! Why what silly littl'
puss YOU are! Why didn't You tell mt
you thought Of makinga dressing.gowr
and pair Of slippers and ! would have
vetoed the matter at onccl You coult
not pei suadc me to wear such Haunting
things. Como back TO the parlor," HI
III ,ol;,,. tntJ nf bar arm, anI lilt;nu