Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-11

earnest, and said very gravely, Yes.
Then she inquired if my husband had
failed, and as recollected that it was
only that very morning that you had
failed in your attempts t. get on your
new coat, which was too small for you,,
I answered her in the affirmative. ]
quite enjoyed the good lady's looks OF
eager curiosity, as she received this
piece of information, and she soon at
ter took her departure, but | never
thought of her telling it round"
''That was certainly very good
foundation for the report she could
not have wished FIR a BETTER" said Mr..
Rivingtor, calmly.
sWhat l said was all perfectly true,
Dudley but it was really very ridicu-
lous of the woman to take me so liter
ally"
II am afraid, my dear, that your fun
will give NE considerable trouble"
IL am very sorry" said Lizzie, and
she raised her sweet, childish face to
his.
As he bent down to imprint d kiss
on her rosy lips he felt half tempted
to give up the plan which he had form,
ed for preventing further mischief, and
he recollected the many times that her
love of fun>had drawn them into trou-
Bile, and with an effort he resolved to
carry it through.
Il shall have to leave you for q few
days, my dear"
''Leave me % she exclaimed-"for
what! 70
81 am obliged to 60 to A. to-
morrow morning on business, but | will
make my stay as short as possible"
1t was with heavy heart that Lizzie
retired that night. She could not bear
the thought of being separated from
her husband even for few days, and
her ever active imagination conjured up
all sorts of dreadful things which might
happen to one or the other of them be-
fore they should meet again. But it
was necessary for him to 60, and the
next morning she followed him to the
door, and received his parting kiss, and
then returned to the room to cry. But
her spirits were not easily depressed for
long time, and she soon dried her
tears, and busted herself about the
house, thinking all the time how pleas
ant it would be to have him return when
the few days had expired.
In the afternoon the bright sun SEEM
ed to invite her out for walk, and she
accordingly went. She met number
of her friends, but some bowed coldly,
while others passed her by with a scorn-
full look. At one time she discovered
two ladies conversing together and
looking at her. What could it mean !
Then she caught the words
every strange, is it not 20
eyes," was the reply; "but ther
they were so. unsuited to each other.
that we can scarcely wonder at it,
sThat is true," continued the first
he is SO very grave, and she so full Of
mischief"
As Lizzie walked quietly on, won
dering what they could mean, and if il
was possible they could refer to her
| she lost the remainder Of the converse.
ton. Then the words reached her from
another direction
81 should not think she would like
to be seen out SO soon."
| And again-"I think it was her ex-
travagance that drove him off,"
Lizzie returned to her home feeling
sick at heart, and earnestly longing fol-
her husband to come back to her. What
she had heard puzzled her; she fell
sure that some false report had beer
circulated, but how she could not tell.
While she was musing on this subject
the door opened, and Mrs. A. was
announced. Lizzie rose to receive hel
visitor, who remarked, in commiser-
ating tone
"You poor little creature came in
On purpose to condole with you 20
''Thank you," said Lizzie, mistak-
ing her meaning. Il almost think
need coincidence, being left alone in this
great house with only the servants"
eyes - continued Mrs. A.. "but
you may be sure every one will take
your part, for people always dosympa-
thize with the ladies, you know. | do
think he was q perfect aDretch to leave
you, and so soon too"
Her meaning began to break on Liz
zie's mind, and she exclaimed, almost
fercely-"Of whom arc you speak
ing? 2"
"Mr. Rivington," replied Mrs. A.,
in some surprise at Lizzie's excited
manner. Il heard that he had quar-
relied with you, and that was the rea-
son Of the separation and knowing
that you must feel lonely, l fastened to
offer my sympathy, trusting that you
would excuse the intrusion"
Our heroine drew herself up with con-
siderable dignity, as she replied-''Al-
low me to say that you have been quite
misinformed /; this is the first that |
have heard of a quarrel, and the sepa-
ration was caused by some business
which has called my husband away fer
few days.
Mrs. A. fastened to apologize,
and soon after left the house.
Scarcely had Lizzie recovered from
the shock occasioned by this Interview,
when another visitor was announced.
This was no other than her innocent
friend Sally Brewster, who rushed in,
threw her arms around Lizzie's neck,
and exclaimed. in a tone of sincere