The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-07-26


to cull it," she said her checks were
pale, ard the whole face wore a discon-
tented expression. Her dress was neat
chintz wrapper, but she wore neither col
lar nor sleeves =" what's the use of
dressing up just for WilliamT'
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours, and
then awoke suddenly. She sat up,
glanced at the clock, and sighed dreadily
at the prospect of the long interval still
to be spent alone before bed time
The library was just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace fue,
through the registers, voice came to the
young wlfe's ears; it was her husbands.
Dwell, Moore, what's a man to do =
l was disappointed and must have pleas
ure somewhere. Who would have fan
cied that Lizzie Jarvis, so pletty, spright-
ly, and loving, could have changed to the
fretful dowdy she is now ? Who wants
to stay at home to hear his wife whining
all the evening about her troublesome
servants, aud her headache and all sorts
of bothers? She's got the knack of that
drawing whine so pat, that, pom my life,
| don't believe she can speak pleasantly"
Lizzie sat as if stunned Was this
true? She looked into the glass. If not
dawdy her costume was certainly not
suitable for an evening, even if 1t were
an evening at home with only Wllllap to
admire. She arose and softly went to
her own room, with bitter sorrowful
thoughts, and firm resolution to win
back her husbands heart, and then, his
love regained, to keep it.
The next morning William, came into
the breakfast room with his usual careless
manner but bright smile came to his
lip as he saw Lizzie. A pretty chintz
with pretty collar and sleeves Of snowy
muslin, and wealth of soft, full curls,
had really metamorphosed her; while the
blush her husbands admiring glance
called up to her check, did not detract
from her beauty. At first, William tho't
there must be guest, but glancing he
found they were alone.
Come, William your coffee will be
stone cold" said lizzie, in cherry,
pleasant voice.
4" 1t must cool till you sweeten my
breakfast with kiss" said her husband
crossing the room to her side; and Liz
zie's heart bounded as she recognized the
old lovers tones and manners.
Not one fretful speech, not one com
plant fell upon Williams ear through
the meal. The newspaper, his usual So
lace during that hour, lay untouched, as
Lizzie chatted gaily on every pleasant
subject she could think Of warming by
his gratifed interest and cordial manner
"You will be home to dinncr?" she
said as he went out.
"Can't to-day, Lizzie, I have business
out of town, butTll be home early to tea
Have something substantial, for I don't
expect to dine. Goodbye" and the
smiling look, warm kiss and lively whis-
tie were a marked contrast to his careless,
lounging gait of the evening previous.
81 am in the right path" j" said Lizzie
in low whisper. ooh! what fool /
have been for the last two years A
fretful dowdyP William, you shall
never say that again."
Lizzie loved her husband with real
wlfely devotion, and her lip would quiVer
as she thought of his confidence to his
friend Moore but like brave little wo-
man she stifcd back the bitter feel
ing, and tripped off to perfect her
plans. The grand piano, silent for
months, was opened, and the linen covers
taken from the furniture, Lizzie think
ing" He shan't find any parlors more
attractive than his own, l am deter
uIiaed."
Tea time came, and William came with
it. A little figure in a tasty, bright, silk
dress, smooth curls, and oh such lovely
blush aad smile, stood ready to welcome
William as he came in; and tea time
passed as the morning meal had done.
After tea, there was no movement, as
usual, toward the hat-rack. William stood
up beside the table lingering, chatting,
till Lizzie also arose. She led him to the
light, warm parlors, IN their pretty glow
of tasteful arrangement, and drew him
2swn beside her on the sofa. He felt as
if he were courting over again as he
watched her fingers busy with some fan
cy needle work, and listened to the cheer,
full voice which he had loved SO well two
years before
What are you making, Lizzie p
"a pair of slippers. Don't you re-
member how much you admired the pair
[ worked fer you, Oh ever so long ago?"
4" remember black velvet with hoW-
ers On them. I used to put my feet on
the fender, and dream of blue eyes and
bright cprls, and wish the time would
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