Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-08-17

waters Of his spiritwere again troubled.
He had actually arisen and crossed the
floor once or twice, moved by . restless
concern, when his wife came down with
the dressing gown and slippers. She
was trying to force her countenance
into new expression to hold back the
smiles that were continually striving to
break in truant circles around her lips,
when single glance at her husbands
face told her that the spirit driven
away by the exorcism Of her love, had
returned again to his bosom. He
looked at her soberly, as she came for
ward.
"What are these % he asked, almost
coldly, depressing surprise, and affect
ing an ignorance in regard to the beau
tiful present she held in her hands that
he did not feel. -
'They are for you, dear. I made
them"
"For me? Nonsense! What do /
want with such jimcrackery? This is
women's wear. Do you think I would
disfgure my feet with embroidered slip
pers or dress up in calico gown? Put
them away, dear your husband is too
much of man to robe himself in gay
colors, like clown or actor" And
he waved his hand with an air Of con-
tempt. There was bold, sneering
manner about him, partly affected and
partly real, born Of his uncomfortable
state Of mind. Yet he loved his sweet
wife, and would not, of set purpose,
have wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel
reception of her present, over which
she had wrought patiently in golden
hope for many days-this dashing to
the earth of this brimful cup of joy,
Just at it touched her lips, was more
than the fond young wife could bear.
To hide the tears that came rushing to
her eyes, she turned away from hel
husband and to conceal the sobs she
had no power to repress, she went al.
most hurriedly from the room ; ano
going back to the chamber from whence
She had brought the present, she laic
it away out of sight in closet. Their
covering her face with her hands, she
sat down and strove with herself to b
calm. But that shadow was too deel
the heart ache too heavy.
In little while her husband follow
edh and discovering, something to hi
surprise, that she was weeping, said il
a slightly reproving voice "Why
bless me! not in tears. What a sill,
little puss you are! Why didn't yo1
tell me you thought Of making dress
ing gown and pair of slippers, and
would have vetoed the matter at once
You couldn't hire me to wear sucl
Haunting things. Come back to tn
parlor"- took hold Of her arm ant
lifted her from the chair - 'and SIM
and play for me-'The Dream Waltz,
or the :Tremolo,' Dearest May o
the 'Stilly Night are worth more t.
me than forty dressing gowns, or
cargo Of embroidered slippers.'
Almost by force he led her back t.
the parlor, and placed her on the musi
stool. He selected a favorite piec
and laid it before her. But tears wer
in her eyes, and she could not see
note. Over the keys her fingers pass
ed in skillful touches ; but when sh
tried to keep up the song, utteranc
failed, and sobs broke forth instead o
words.
Chow foolish ~ said the husband
in vexed tone. I am surprised a
you'll" And he ssrned from the plan
and walked across the room.
A little while the sad young wife re
manned where she was left thus alone
and in partial anger. Then rising sh
went slowly from the room-her hus
band not seeking to restrain her-an'
going back to the chamber, sat dow
in the darkness.
The shadow which had been cast up
on her spirit was very deep one /; al
though the hidden sun came out agail
right early, it was long time befor'
his beams had power to scatter tn
clouds that foated in loves horizon.
The shadows we cast! Father, hus
band, wife, sister, brother, son, neigh
bor-are we not all casting shadows
daily, on some hearts that are pinins
for the sunlight of our faces? W.
have given you two pictures, not as ,
mirror, but as kaleidoscope. In al
4 ~