Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-07-10

simply wish TO know II you accepted the inVi-
tationY
"Of course did r. she said it de6Rntly,
tapping her little feet on the carpet "Have
you any objections to urge p
"No, you will do as you like, never laid
any commands upon my wife. II is against
my principles
Denison sat stern and pale, May flushed and
lowering and the husband rose from the ta-
BILE and went out without so much rs bidding
his wife good afternoon.
ut was outrageous, cruel |" exclaimed Mrs.
Denison, as she walked up and down the room,
Slipping the rings round her small fngers,
while the tears stood still on her cheeks. ITO
think he was angry because am going out
with Cousin Ralph l shall just have my
own way for once Oh, deari If things had
only turned out diEeren:lyT She did not
finish the sentence; she was fairly frightened
at the angry, repellant feelings which gathered
gloomily in her heart against her husband
And as Mrs. Denison leaned her head on
the marble table, book which her arm brushed
away fell heavily at her feet She picked It
up 1t was small prayer book, with covers
Of crimson velvet The leaves had dropped
open, and her eyes fell upon the marriage ser
vice, and those solemn, mysterious words
flashed through her soul-"4ad lice together
according TO Gods holy ordinance"
They stilled the storm of passion and pride,
of gloom and bitterness which had gathered
IN her soul. Mrs. Denison sat down and
thought what depth and boldness of meaning
dwelt in these words, and what that sacrament
was which set them twain apart, and shut
them up from the world--husband and wife
"And live together according to Gods holy
ordinance" not simply in word and deed, but
in thought, in feeling, in spirit, forbdding all
wanderings of the heart, all foolish imagina-
| tons, making each TO the other tender pitiful,
forgiving, self-sacri6cing-jus as God, the
Father Interpreted those words when, stand
| ing at His alter, she had taken on her soul
the VOWS of her wifehood.
There was a long, sharp struggle in Mrs
Denison's mind but she was Christian wo-
man, and she knew whence strength would
come for her weakness.
"Well, little lady, all ready for your ride y
Ralph Upham asked the question in his
pleasant, assured way, as he twisted the cord
of his whip round the handle. t.s.
There was little pause, and a little flush
crept up and settled itself in her face. Then
the answer came, low and steadfast "Ralph,
YOU will have to excuse me from riding out
with you to-day"
"Why May, is it possible you are not going
with me !" surprise, disappointment, and
chagrin combining in the tones.
"There are reasons, Ralph, and good ones
which do not consider myself at liberty tc
mention, which make it best for me to ask you
TO excuse me-
Cant do it, May" in that graceful positive
off-hand way that was usually so irresistible
with ladies' "Tve set my mind on the ride
and you wont disappoint poor fellow that's
come two Thousand miles for this little bit o
enjoyment
1t was hard to resist the look which CAV,
the right point and emphasis to these words
but Mrs Denison did not "Ralph," she be
gan.
But he broke in, taking her soft fingers
"Come now, May, you wont be so absurd o
squeamish as TO refuse 10 give me, your broth
er, this little ride, for the sake of those othe
long ago rides that one of us, at least, cal
never forget z
4 1t was harder still TO resist this last tone ant
look; but if she faltered moment her voic'
was steady and earnest as it answered.
have not declined your invitation, Ralph, with
out duly considering it, and therefore it cal
, be of no use 10 urge it.
Ralph Upham's handsome face darkened
and his eyes famed out suddenly. ~ see tn
drift of all this, May. Your husband ism
willing to trust his wife with me for an hour
| do hate to have a man set so low value ol
, himself that he's afraid his wife may fall il
J love with an old friend, if they happen to b
4 brought together for an hour.
s Ralph Upham had gone further, and revea
ed more Of his true character in his disappOiE
ment and chagrin than he intended.
4 Mrs Denison lifted her eyes, and confronte
r her guest with quiet, stVRlliast gaze he woul
Q not have known how much he had stirred he
if it had not been for the deep flush which ha
d run into her cheeks.
a "Ralph, you forget that George Denison
h my husband and that you must not speak thu
of him, in his own house, to his wife"
o. No man would be likely to after heariu
r those tones fL..
a Ralph Upham was thoroughly crestfallel
e. but minds like his are seldom susceptible
il real contrition, and it was with feeling
pretty anger and wounded vanity that he a
n swered. 81 beg your pardon, Mrs Denisoni
p shall never offend you so again Good ate
noon;" and he turned toward the door.
ID And then the memory Of her childhood, al
IL her fathers love for Ralph Upham, came ov
ID May Denson's soul, and she sprang towal
him with outstretched hand "Ralph, do n
be let us part in anger Come back and take Il
with US tonight, and you and George shall
:" friends"
ID Thank you; shall leave the city to-nigh
u / wish you all happiness andprosperity, May
but, somehow, the tones belied the words, al
so did the cold, polite touch of his fingers
he bade her good afternoon.
ID "whatI ] didn't expect 10 fDd you =
he turned so soon--and alone
George Denison said the words as he ope
We ed the door. Of the setting-room, and found
wife seated by the window with her sewing
ye sweet and perfect little home picture as ev
gladdened the heart Of husband and som
how, Il took away half the coldness and b
he terness which had been in his hear, that afs'
sn noon