Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-04-05
gel&ttt0 Cali.
TEroH Chambers Journal ]
IFron Chambers JournalI
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
IN TWO CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER II.

When at length Isabel was sufficiently com
posed to return with me to the drawing-room,
we found Mrs Vivian at the piano, and her
brother listening to her fine voice with evident
" extreme enjoyment. | felt veXed to see
them thus engaged, for Isabel had no musical
talent herself, and feared, under present cir
cumstanctS the eject Of the smallest injurious
comparscn. As / sat and watched Mr.. Lori
mer following note hy note with critical enthu-
SiaSm and affcction for the accomplished sing
er, regretted still more that this subtle way
of reaching her husbands heart was closed
against Isabel. Mrs. Vivian rose, however,
Us soon as she had finished her song, saying ::
'' | won't bore Mrs Lormcr with my loud
voice ; | know she does not care about musc;;"
and the piano was closed, for neither host nor
hostess challenged her assertion. Mr.. Lori
mer began 10 talk kindly and pleasantly to me,
informed me of his departure for Scotland
aud mentioned incidentally that he must start
so early that he must breakfast by six o'clock
in the morning.
"Oh, well, said Mrs Vivian, L shall be
up to pour on your coffee there is nothing
SO cherries as to set of on a Journey with no
one to see that yoar great eeat is bpttoned,
aud to wish you God speed ="
| looked anxeGsIy toward Isabel, for could
see she was trembling with suppressed intig-
nation; she commanded herself, hsweger, Gd-
nirabIy, and spoke quietly enough.
Pray, do not disturb yourself So early
Caroline / have made my own arrangements
for the morning, and propose TO breakfast with
my husband aione"
Mrs. Vivian shrggged her shoulders ex.
presSive of ScOrnful acquescence in this new
caprice, and Mr. Lorimer appeared too intent
on the Bradshaw he had taken up to hear the
remark
About half,past five on the following morn
ing, was aW kened by Isabel standing area-
dy dressed by my bedside. She wished me
TO get up, and join her and her husband at the
breakfast-tabe.
81 do not know what | may be tempted
TO say to him, Aunt Sarah, but | feel as if
could not let him go away in his present
enlargement, especially when | fear be has
Such serious business FOE his object. ] have
thought for some time past he must takesme
TO his heart agsin--spcak to me kindly !"
But, my dear child, had you not better be
alone ~
She thought not if were present, | could
Judge for myself and | should be no restraint
upon her | thought how lovely she looked
presiding at the table in her simple white
gown, aud felt persuaded her husband must
think so too when he came in. But when he
did, after few civil speeches to Re he seem
ed too hurried and pre-occupied to notice any
thing He swallowed his breakfast in five
minutes, aud then rose at once aud rung the
bell impatientiy for the carriage to come
Eound
4" must be of Immediately" he said looking
at his watch 81 would not miss the train on
any account Goodbye Isabel"
What could be done in the way of remOn-
STRANGE or entreaty under such circumstances !?
A man under fear of losing the train is scarce,
ly tolerant of conjugal embraces, much less of
conjugal reproaches Isabel had timed her
appeal badly. She stood irreSolute, her eyes
downcast, her brow clouded. | saw Mr.. Lor.
inner had nade a movement toward her, as if
10 kiss her, but turned shortly from her on re-
marking her attitude lie evidently m.Sun-
derStOod ber, fSr he compressed bis lips with
an expression of such bitter feeling, though it
was but transient, that felt how deep cnr-
rent of suffering and disappointment ran be-
meath his calm and ordinary manner
hope you will not find the country very
dull, he said to NE Isabel must do her
best to amuse you during my absence it is
very kind of you to come aud stay with her.
Take care of the children Isabel"
lie turned and was going touched ISa'