The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-12-12

table, and donned MS great coal.
@Yes, have an engagement with Moore
I shall be in early have light in the libra
y. Good night" and with careless nod,
William Hayes left the room
always the way, " murmured Lizzie Hays,
sinking back upon the sofa, "out every
night. / don't believe he cares one bit about
me now, and yet we've only been married
about two years. No man has more order
" house. sm not bit extravagant and
vet don't believe he loves me any more.
Oh! dear, why is i'll l wasn't rich, he didn't
marry me for money and he must have loved
me then-why does he treat me with so
much neglectr and with her mind filed
with such fretful queries, Lizzie Hayes fell
asleep on the sofa
Let me paint her picture as she lay there.
She was a blonde, with a small, graceful
figure and pretty face. The hair, which
showed by its rich waves its natural tendency
to curl, was brushed smoothly back, "it was
such a bother to curl it," she said; her
cheeks were pale, her whole face wore dis
contcnted expression. Her dress was neat
chintz wrapper, but she wore neither collar
nor sleeves -" what's the use of dressing up
Just for William
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours, and
then awoke suddenly. She sat up, glanced
at the clock, and sighed drearily at the pros
pect of the long interval to be spent before
bed time
The library was just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace flue,
through the registers, voice came to the
young wife's ears it was her husbands.
"Well, Moore, what's a man to do | was
disappointed, and must have pleasure some
where. Who would have fancied Lizzie
Jarvis, so pretty and loving could have
changed to the fretful dowdy she now is :
Who wants to be at home to hear his wife
whining all the evening about her trouble
some servants, and her headache and all sorts
of bothersl She's got the knack Of that
drawing whine so pat, that, pom my life, /
don't believe she can speaa pleasantly"
Lizzie sat as if stunned. Was. this true |!
She looked in the glass. If not dowdy, her
costume was certainly not suitable for an
evening, even if it were an evening at home,
with only William to admire. She arose and
went softly to her own room, with bitter and
sorrowful thoughts, and firm resolution to
win back her husbands heart, and then, his
love regaincd, to keep it.
The next morning William came into the
breakfast room with his usual careless man.
mer, but a bright smile came to his lips as
he saw Lizzie. A pretty chintz with pref
ty collar and sleeves of snowy muslin, and a
wealth of soft, full curls, had really metamor-
phosed her, while the blush her husbands
admiring glance called up to her check, did
not detract from her beauty. At first, VIII
liam thought there must be guest, but on
glancing about he found they were alone.
"Come, William, your coffee will be stone
colI," said Lizzie, in CHEEKY, pleasant
voice.
at must be cool till you sweeten my
breakfast with kiss" said her husband,
crossing the room to her side; and Lizzie's
heart bounded as she recognized the old
lovers tones and manners.
Not one fretful speech, not one complaint
fell upon Williams ear through the meal
the newspaper, his usual solace during the
hour, Law 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 dinnerr she said
as she went out.
"Can't to-day, Lizzie. have business out
of town, but I'll BE- home early to tea Have
something substantial, for don't expect to
dine. Good bye" and the smiling look
warm kiss and lovely whistle were marked
contrast to his careless, lounging gait Of the
evening previous.
al am in the right path" said Lizzie, in
low whisper. "Oh what a fool L have
been for the last two years! A I" fretfu
dowdyr William, you shall never say that
again."
Lizzie loved her husband with real wifely
devotion, and her lip would culver as she
thought of his confidence to his friend NJ.
but like brave little woman she stihed back
the bitter feeling, and tripped off to perfect
her plans. The grand piano, silent for
months, was opened, and the linen covers
taken from the furniture. Lizzie thinking
He shan't find any parlors more attractive
than his own, am determined"
Tea time came, and William came with it.
A little figure in tasty, bright silk dress,
smooth curls, and oh such a lovely blush
and smile, stood ready to welcome him in
and tea passed as the morning meal had
done.
After tea there was no movement, as usual,
towards the hat rack. William stood up be-
side the table lingering, chatting till Lizzie
also arose. She led him to the light warm