Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-12-28

this and ii languishes and dies. And
now, dear, have warned you. Meet
your husband, when he returns home
this evening, looking as sweetly as when
he came to your fathers house, at
tracted as the bee is to the flower, and
note the manner in which his face will
tighten up. Did he kiss you when he
came home yesterday ?"
The face of Bella flushed little.
"Husbands soon lose their inclination
for kissing" she answered.
"If the wife remains as attractive as
the maiden, never -
ooh, you don't know anything
about it," said Bella. "Wait until
you are married"
After the friend said good afternoon,
the young wife went to her room, and
cried for good quarter of an hour
Then she commenced doing as the
friend had suggested. Refreshed by
a bath, she attired herself in spotless
white wrapper, with delicate blue
belt winding her waist. A small lace
collar, scarcely winter than her pure
neck, edged and tied with narrow azure
ribbon, was turned away from her
swan-hke throat; just below. at the
swell Of the bosom, was an exquisitely
cut oval pin. Her hair, rich golden
brown, had been made glossy as the
wing Of a bird, and was folded just
enough away from the temples to show
their delicate cutting. Two opening
rose buds-red and white-nestled
above and in front Of one Of her pearl
tinted ears She did look lovely and
lovable, as her mirror told her.
Harry was half an hour later than
usual in coming home. Bella was sit
ting in the parlor when he came in,
waiting for his return with feeling
at her heart-a feeling of blending
fear and hope, fear least he was ac-
tually becoming estrayed from her,
and trembling hope to win him back
again. His step was not very light.
She noticed that, for her ear had be-
come newly sensitive. He had caught
a glimpse of her through the window
and knowing, therefore, that she was
in the parlor, camo to the door and
stood there.
"Bless me !" he exclaimed, after a
moment, chow charming you look !"
And he came forward, with pleased
smile on his face, and taking her hand,
bent down and kissed her. ~-
"Blooming as a rose!" he added,
holding her away from him, and gazing
at her admirably. How her heart did
beat with new delight
"Dressed for company
There was just a little shade Of cold
ness in Harry's voice, as he suggested
the probable reason for her singularly
improved appearance.
"Yes,' replied Bella.
"Who?"
"My husband !"
There was tender, hearted Autter
in her voice.
Harry was a little puzzled, but
greatly pleased. 1t was true that he
had been riding out that afternoon
with lady--a handsome, attractive
woman, who was throwing around his
weak, almost boyish spirit, a syren's
fascination. She put on every charm
in her power to summon, while the
foolish wife was hiding hers away, and
taking no pains to hold dominion in
the heart she had won, and was now
in danger Of losing. Five minutes
before the companion Of his ride ap-
peared to his fancy so charming in
comparison with his wife, that felt no
pleasure at the thought Of meeting one
who, since their marriage, had seemed
to grow every day less and less attract
i've. But now, Bella was his queen
Of hearts again
"And are 20 ureally dressed to re-
ceive ME, darling?" he said, as he kiss
ed her again, and then drew his arm
lovingly about her waist.
eyes, for you. Gould a true wife
wish to look lovlier to others eyes
than to her husbands %
~ should think not" he answered.
I She understood in the words more
than he meant to convey.
There was rose tint in everything
in Bells home that evening. From
the cold, half Indifferent husband, Ear-
ny was transformed to the warm, at
tentive lover. How many times, as
she turned her eyes upon him, did she
ca tch look Of tender admiration or
loving pride
"What has made you 50 charming to
night ?" he said as he kissed her once
more. ''You look as cure and sweet as
a lily.''
Glove for my husband,'' she an
swered; and then tear, in which joys
sunlight made q rainbow, stole out
from the dropping lashes, and lay
crystal drop on cheek.
She made no confession Of her
thoughtless neglect Of the means by
which hearts are held in thrall to love,
though her husband half guessed at
the fact that something had awakened
her 10 the truth.
On the next afternoon Harry rode
out with lady again; but that lady
was his wife. He was never afterward
in danger of being won away from faith
full love; for Bella grew in his eyes more
attractive, moro charming, more love-
able every day. And she thus saved
him, in his younger snd less stable
years, from being drawn aside from
the right way, and both herself and
him from years Of wretchedness.