The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-04-20


sorry for it, any way.
So he firted with very pretty girl among
the company, and took no further notice Of
his wife. OF course that was not the way
to be reconciled, so nothing was said but
what the merest civility required. and day
after day they met more coldly and more po-
litely than the last.
"lll be hanged if ! give up first" NUT
tered the gentleman to himself.
The lady said nothing, but she tllought:
He's been harsh and unreasonable he's
as extravagant in his way, as am, and has
no right to blame me. Ii he loses. must
suffer as well as he, and don't see why |
should not enjoy my share, when he is pros
porous. II he has chosen to get violent be-
canse he had bill to pay, and wants 10 suk
about it while, he has perfect liberty
and as for his money, wish might never
have to touch cent Of it again, and won't
touch it, as long as can avoid it.
But sulking was desperately hard work for
Mr.. Lascelles. tie loved his wife dearly,
and loved to tell her Of it sometimes. None
the less agreeable was tito be told OCCASION
ally in her graceful, pretty way, that he was
a good fellow. and all the world to her. Her
polite good morning. was poor exchange
for the extra kiss he used to 90 back for, or
the one she sometimes came to the street
door to claim. He never shut that door
behind him now, but his heart sank like lead.
What if he should never see her again
When they sat with the table between them,
he with his paper she with her work or book !,
he would forget the European news in think
ing how she used TO sit upon his knee, with
her white arms round his neck. Alas! there
was more than table between them now.
Then as weeks passed by, he began to
think she must be wanting some money.
They had been 10 several parties where she
had worn old dresses, and he had too much
pride and taste to feel at all satisfied when
she was addressed. He wished she would
ask for some money but he did not like to
humble himself by Offering it. At length he
resolved that he would do so at any rate. So
he put on the most Indifferent face in the
world, one morning. and took some bills from
his purse.
"I think you must want some money" he
said, handing them across the table.
To his surprise she put them back, very
gently, but decidedly.
l
all she said but it chilled him more than
any passionate word would have done.
lie said every wei" put the money back,
and went out; but he could scarcely choke
down a very bitter sigh. What would he
not have given then for the old confidence
Thus few more weeks passed away, and
Mr.. Lascelles could not help wondering i
his wife felt as miserable as he did. Wheth-
er she made believe sleep at night when
she was really lying awake and feeling as
wretehed, as he did j; whether she choked
down dinners she didn't want, and s0bs that
wanted TO come whether she ever lunged
to throw her arms round him and be recon
ciled. as he longed to have her. lie thought
he'd try once more.
There was an elegant set OF pearls thai
looked Just like her, down town, and every
time he passed the window he thought how
beautiful they would look on her white mech
and arms. lie took them home one nigh
when he went to tea, prudently saying thai
he would see il they suited his wife, and
banded them 70 her withouta word. She ex
amined them closely, said they were ,ers
beautiful aud well sci, and handed them back
again.
"I intended them for you. Mary" h'
said. She looked up surprised. but not ap
parently pleased.
You are very kind. but cannot accept
them. They are far too expensive"
lie faneied that a tinge Of sarcasm lay il
the last words, and his temper rase.
/" II will be long day before ! make an,
more oyertures.r he thought, silently putiinl
-. -. - nytN flar MI
he began 10 notice that his wife looked pal,
and languid sometimes. and would sit, NheI
she thought herself unubseryed, with a pen
siye, Iisiless expression upon her face tlia
made his heart ache bitterly. liz pride
could not hold uut against that. Mhatr,rt
the sacrifice OF humiliation, he gould not SO
her suffering.
One night, when gay crowd Of sompan,
had gone, they sat alone 10 her dressing
room, he with his paper az Usual, and sh
with new book. lie pretended 10 read
. paragraph Tor some time, but after goinl
over il three times, he knew no more Of !
than at hrst. and throwing his paper down
he arose and began to walk the room behini
the little sofa on which she sat.
What a pretty woman she was, aud ho,
lEfdgttuit We NuOukHts NOuuuA ndu iOftiic
wife than he and nobody loved their VIII
better. he was sure. hut she did look unu
suslly pale. and her cheek VA Mt quite >
round as Il used Ii BE-. Night she not b
suffering as much ifuin Ills enlargement a
he!
). lie went up to her ani sat down by he
side.
MARY" he said, with great iiiliculiy
keeping down bis agitation, aud taking be
hand IN his.
She looked up quickly. but turned he
J face away, and said very gently:
, What is it,"
. I'm Just as miserable as can be, and
, cant bear this way of life any longer" b
, exclaimed. sobbing outright
"indeed I'm sorry" was al the answe
! she made but the hand he held trembled
, aud when he put his arm around her, he va
not rspulsed.
\ .Can you forgive me Coz beiag 20 unrea
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