The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-17
TILE YOUNG WIFE; OR,
THE, SHADOWS WE CAST

many days in preparing pleasant surprise
for her husband. Tie work was finished
at last, and now she awaited his return,
with heart full Of war.n emotions. A
dressing gown and pair Of elegantly EN-,
fro'dered slippers, wrought by her own
sk'iltui fingers, were the gifts with which
she meant to delight him. What tronp
Of pleasant fancies WAS in her heart
How almost impa,ien,Iy did she wal,
for the coming twilight. which was to dawn.
not approaching darkness, to her.
At last, shsdFeard the step of her hus,
band in the passage, and her pulse leaped
with fluttering delight. Like bird upon
the wing, she almost flew down to meet him,
impatient for the salutation that awaited
her.
To men in the world Of busines, few days
pass without their disappoinlmen,s and
preplexities. 1t is mems business to bear
these in manly spirit. They form Lu'
a portion Of lifc's discipline, and should
make them stronger, bra7er, and more en-.
during. Cnwisely and We may say un.
justly, too, many men, fail to leave th.i,
business cares and troubles in their work
shops or counting houses, at the days de.
cline. They wrap them in bundles, and
carry them home to shadow their house
bold. 1t was so with the young husband o.,
this particular occasion. The stream Of
business had taken All eddying whirl
and thrown his vessel backwards, instead
OF onwnrls, for brief space; and, though
it was still in the current, and gliding saf,
]y onward again. The jar and disappoin,-
msnt bad fretted bis mind severely. There
was no heart warmth in the kiss he gave hi
wife, not because love had failed IN any
degree, but because he had let care over
shadow love. He drew his arms around
her; but she was conscious Of diminished
pressure in that embracing arm.
"Are you not we'll she inquired.
With what tender concern was the oues.
ton asked.
VERY WELL" he replied.
He might be in body, but not in mind {:
that was plain for his voice was far from
being cheerful.
She played and sang his favorte pieces
hoping to- restore, by the charms Of music
brightness to his spirit But sho was con.
scious of only partial success. There was
still gravity in his manner never perceived
before. At tea time she smiled upon him
sweetly across the table, and talked to him
on such attractive themes, that the brigh'
expression returned to his countpnancc, ami
be looked as happy As she could desire
After tea was over the young wife jndgc,
the proper time had come for Offering he,
gift, and receiving the ccvcted reward Of gla,
surprise, followed by sweet and loving words.
Was she selfish Did she think more o.
her reward than Of the pleasure she woul,
bestow. But that is questioning too close
Iy.
II will be back in moment" she said
and passing from the room, she went light
ly up the stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her Sc
cret, or, rather, the possession of a secre,
with which her husband was to he surprised.
Scarcely had her loving face faded from be-
fore his eyes, when thought returned, with
single bound to the unpleasant events of
the day, and the waters of his life were
again troubled. he had actually arisen
and crossed the room once or twice, moved
BY restless concern, when his wife came
back with the dressing gown and slippers
She was trying 10 force her countcnancc
into grave expression, to hold back the
smiles that were continuity striving to-
break the truant circles around her lips,
when single glance at her husbands face
told her that the spirit, driven away by the
exorcism Of her love, had returned again to
his bosom. lie looked at her soberIy as she
came forward.
"What are these r. he asked, almost
ooldly, REFRESHING surprise, and affecting an
ignorance that he did not feel in regard to
the beautltrh present she held in her hands.
, "They are for you, DEAR" was the reply
II made Them"
"For me7" lie exclaimed: "nonsense
what do I want with such jimcrackerv ?
This is woman's wear. Do you think ]
would disfgure my feet with embroidered
shRpsrs, or dress up in that gown! Pu,
them away, dear. Your husband is too
much of man to robe himself in ray
eolors, like clown or an. actor" And he
waived his hand with an air of contempt
There was cold sneerng manner about
him partly affected and partly real; the resul,
Of his uncomfortable state of mind. Yet be
loved bis sweet wife, and would not. Of se,