St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-05-03
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had dallled over it only as a provoked
woman can-and Mr.. Franklin, after
declaring for the fourth time that she
should leave before the week was out,
took upon himself the task of comb
ing her hair. Just as he had un-
fastened the dry, uneven tresses, and
taken up the comb, a light step came
through the back hall. and the pleas
ant cheerful face of Cousin Hattie ap-
pcared at the door.
80 you are really going, Celia. l
have been in perfect fluttcr all the
morning for fear you would give it up;
and you look better than have seen
you for year. | wanted to get here
earlier, but Johnny took it into his
head to run away, and | hunted all
over the neighborhood and at last
found him down in the pasture with
his fathers ox-whip driving the calves.
lon never saw such little mischief
but Scott, do let me have that comb
Celia wont have straight hair in her
head hy the time you are through.
Shall puff or braid it ?"
Any way to suit you. / cannot
look very we'll at the best, as my dress
Is hardly prcsentable, but as | have
been sick SO long no one will think it
strange
6 How will this do ?" said Hattie,
dropping the comb and bringing in
rom the hall pretty pink organdie,
Tie sleeves and neck trimmed with
neat rutllcs of crimped muslin, and a
scarf Of white lace huttering down
amid the folds of the skirt. "Oh =
You need not look wonder struck
scott and | know what we are about
and a merry, ripping laugh gushed
out and filled the whole room with
music. Pity if such patient, dear
little wife, cannot have a pleasant
surprise once in whiIc-but do see
that lOad-it's Mrs. brakes whole
family, and they are always late 50
| guess | had better hurry )" and the
fingers went to work with a
will.
Mrs. Franklin enjoyed the ride in
the easy carriage as only an invalid,
long confined, can, and as she leaned
back in the borrowed rocking chair,
and friends gathered around her and
gave the smile and kiss of greeting,
and kind, heartfelt words of glad sur
prise at her return once more among
them, her slow, stagnant pulses
seemed revived and flowed on quicker,
carrying health to every vein.
The gently waving trees, and sun
shine lying like coronals on the green
soft murmur of the wind
and hum of distant water-tall-th
white robcd maidens and little chill
dren fitting here and there, seemed
like beautiful picture seen long be-
fore-lcaving a yearning, haunting
mcmory-then suddenly breaking on
the sight in all its beauty.
Cousin Hattie, good, kind soul, was
almost i'll raptnres at Cclia's evident
enjoyment, and in soft side whisper
told Scott she knew it would cure her
the happ. excitement of a few me re
such days-it was all she needed
but his reply, away down deep in his
heart, that no lips gave utterance to,
was little more love from her hus-
bands heart, flowing out into the
thousand rlls that keep green the
pathway of married life, might have
cured her long ago, and with it came
also the resolution that never again
should she have the slightest cause to
feel herself second in attention, at-
fection, or as mistress of his home.
The effects of that resolve well
kept, soon became evident. The slow,
languid step was exchanged for a
livelier one, the sad, listless look for
a bright, animated glance, the mourn
ful smile that almost spoke of the
grave, for laugh merry as the dane
ing ripplcs, and Scott Franklin, in the
happiness of his reward, ever felt
thankful for that long, solitary ride,
and the divining mood that so strange
lv came to him.