Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-04

, strength. No explanations were given Of
asked. Such are often very ill-judged, ant
even in their effect. The new bud of loy,
will not bear much handling, A silent hand
pressure, an affectonate smile, were all thai
marked the reconciliation, Katharine suf-
fered no misgivings or seeming obstacles ia
hinder her in the path on which she had de-
termined.
One evening the invalid lay resting, hall
asleep, in her armchair. Elizabeth and Flo
renee were whitaker and after long silence,
supposng her asleep, they began to talk in
low tones. Their voices broke through Kata-
rines dream but they could not see her for
the twilight and it was some time before her
reused faculties conld distinguish what they
talked abont.
Elizabeth was saying iIIow very beautiful
Katharine looked to-day thought Owen
would never gaze enough at her"
"Yes," said Florencsi sand think her ILL
ness has improved her beauty. She does not
look half so proud. Do you know, Elizabsl,
that once thought her anything but hand
some, and wondered that Owen could have
chosen her after beautiful gentle Mary Wynn"
''Ah, that was because you did not like
Katharine You were hardly just to her Oh
served the mild Elizabeth
"Yct really had no positive dislike TO her;
but she had such strange ways, and seemed to
think herself so different FROM us
"Yet mamma loved her from the first"
eyes, and so do | now, and you too, and all
us. But she seems so changed, SO gentle
and affectionate begin to think i. possible
to love ones brothers wife after all" said the
gay Florence, giving way to cheerful laugh
which she Immediately checked, lest it should
disturb her sisters slumbers.
But Katharine had heard enough to break
her repose, though deep pleasure mingled with
the slight pain which Florences unconscious
"reminiscences had given her. 1t is so sweet
to be loved and after prejudice conquered,
that love delayed comes sweeter than ever.
Owens entrance formed glad relief and
pretext for the termination of Katharine's
sleep and Forence's revelations; and now her
sisters recovering health enabled the latter to
leave her That night Florence was sent for
to return home, and Owen came to deliver the
tidings. Elizabeth, at Katharines entreaty,
remained but Florence was imperiousy de-
manded at home, and must depart. So, after
a short delay, she was ready and came to bid
adeu to the invnlid. II was not for long but
still it was the first time they had been parted
since Florence had come, in horror and dis
may, to her insensiblc sisters couch. Katha-
rine rose feebly in her chair, and weeping,
threw herself on Florences BOSOM
"Thank you, and bless you dear girl, for all
your care Of me-" was all she could articulate.
"Nonsensel" cried Florence cheerfully, try
ing to withstand the unusual moistness in her
own eyes. $40 nOtqnite overwhelm me, katha-
rne; | did nothing but what ought, and what
| liked too
"And you do love me now, Florence lit
tle?n whispered Katharine as her sister hung
over her.
Florenccs warm and kindly nature now en-
tirely predominated. ayes indeed do, with
all my heart" she cried with affectonate ener-
gy, as she folded both her arms round Katha-
rine, and kissed her repeatedly.
"Come, come all this embracing will be
quite too much for Catharine,p said.lthe hus-
hand, coming forward with smile, and carry
ing away his sister to the door, whittier Eliza
beth followed him. Owen came and sat by
his wifes side, and the invalid rested her head
on his shoulder, while they talked with full
hearts of her happy recovery.
"Florcnce is sweet girl, is she noty said
Owen after pause.
This time no feeling of jealousy crossed the
young wife's mind. 'lndecd she Isl" Katha-
rine Onswercd; ''and love her very much.
II Thought you would in time, Katharine"
She did not Immediately answer, and then
her voice trcmbled MS she said, "0wen dear,
have not been all good; have been wrong in
many things have made too much trouble
for myself out of slight vexations
Owen stopped her. "Now, love, will have
no more confessions Your husband loves
you, and you are all good in his eyes now"
Sand always will he, if the determination
can make me so. Aud when we are old mar
ried peoplcn-a curious twitch came over
Owens mouth as his wife said this--"whcn
we are old married people, We shall be all the
wiser, at least shall, for remembering these
minor trials of our youth"