Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-10-02
Drifting Away,
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

| often grew weary. "COme, and come now,
when the trees are greenest, the earth in
richest attire, and the air like stainless crys-
taln he added awe will ride, and sail
l have the fairest of ofpleasure-boats-an spend
the days as merrily as ifthe world had never
care or sorrow. Come I will take no
refusal. You are wearing yourself out too fast
in that toiling city"
The invitation came at the right moment.
1 was dropping over my work with slow
hands and falling ardOr.
81 viii be at Fern Dale, I wrote, "in
week Many thanks for your kind invita-
ton"
And in a week l stood face to face with
my old friend. It was twice twelve months
since I had seen him. He had gained
literally in flesh during the time; and his
face, though rounder and larger, was fresher
and younger in appearance than when last
saw him. The years had not dealt so kindly
with Bertha, his sweet wife, l was grieved to
see. Her face had grown thinner, though
not less beautiful. It was not the beauty Of
old that caused your eyes 10 linger on her
countenance, for the delicately rounded out
line and warm tinting we're gone. But there
was more thought and feeling there, and a
uGpll anu Lll 6tCLI IL uEE NlEo WHICH, uAu
never seen before. How singularly in con-
trast was the broad, radiant smile that lit up
his whole face with the glow Of sunbeams,
and the Pickering light that played now and
then so feebly, yet so full of angel. Sweetness,
Just around her mouth. She was sitting with
baby on her lap when / entered. Instead
of laying it down, or calling an attendant
she received me with the nursing in her arms;
and her eyes passed, every now and then,
from mine to the cherub face that lay against
her bosom.
~ Another haby," said J. as I touched the
peachy cheek with my finger.
And the dearest darling of them all, ="
she answered, looking down upon it tender
ly.
"Shs's perfectly bewitched by that baby"
said my friend, as he laid his hand in a fond
way upon her shoulder. You would think,
to see her, that she'd never seen baby in
her life before. But come into the library;
I've got hundred things to talk with you
about"
And he drew me away ere had been five
minutes in the company of his wife. | saw
that her eyes followed us, and fancied that
look of disappointment was in them.
"Fm sorry to see that Bertha is not look
ing so well as Wheu was at Fern Dale last
time" said /, as we sat down in the hand
some library.
"NOt looking so WE'LL" My friend seemed
little surprised at the remark. You have
forgotten. In my eyes she never looked
better. She was always slight and delicate,
you know, and rarely had much color.
Perhaps my memory is at fault; but l
have vision of Bertha with rounder, rud-
der cheeks than see to-day"
That great baby in her arms will suggest
a reason for the change It does not come
from falling health"
Ny friend seemed so entirely at ease on the
subject that l said no more; but did not
feel satisfied. We talked for an hour in the
library, when dinner was announced, and We
Joined his wife at the table She had on
white lawn dress, dotted over with small blue
| forget-me-nots, and a plain lace cap. A
slight warmth was visible in her cheeks, and
! her eyes, as she lifted them to mine, were
/ full OF smiling welcomes. She looked pure
and beautiful as consecrated vestal. I saw
my friends eyes rest proudly and lovingly
| upon her for a few moments ere he gave
himself up to the agreeable work that lay
| before him.
noticed that while my friends wife did,
with pleasing alacfity, the honOrs of the
table, urging one dish after another upon her
guest and her husband, she ate very little
herself The fact must have escaped the OBJ
servation Of my friend, or he would certain
ly have demonstrated. l could not help say
ing, as saw her playing with, instead of eat
ing her desert
Don't you eat anything, Bertha ?" had
known her many years-even before her mar
riage-a and always addressed her with the
old familiarity.
ooh, she lives on air p spoke up my
friend, smiling. $50 don't initiate her ex-
ample while at Fern Dale. am made OF
grosser stuff, and can't get on without the
substantial things that make up what are
called creature comforts"
Bertha smiled in return, and locked beau
tiful, but too ethereal in my eyes.
After dinner we drove out, leaving Bertha
at home with her children and domestic du-
| ties. Not word was said about her going
| with us. Our drive was over breezy hills,
and amidst scenery of the most charming
character. | felt new life in all my pulses as
we went rushing through the exhilarating
air. It was sundown when we returned
both of US as keen for supper as though 8
hearty meal had not been taken only a few
hours before
The warmer glow that maniled Bertha!
cheeks at dinner time had faded; and as
looked at her across the tea-table, noticed
an expression Of WEAKNESS about her eyes
and languid falling of the lips, that madt
me feel uncomfortable. She asked if I haC
enjoyed the ride, and listened with much sp
parent interest to my description of mani
points In the fine scenery through which ",
had driven. l was little surprised, howev
er, to learn, from a remark she made, tha
she had never looked upon it herself.
After supper my friend and retired TO th,
library, where we spent the evening alone
talking of olden times; discussing the meri
of new books or lingering over the curren
topics Of tAe day. Bertha did not join u.s.
Once asked for her. had pleasant recol
lections Of hours spent in her company.
"Oh, she's buried with the children, o
eloseted with the cook, /" answered my friend
sl1nlng IN his easy gOod-nstured way. "Ber
ina -, Ias oecome famous housewife"
one mas too good a mind for burial afte
tnls fashion, said 7 "Bertha wasl born 70
something more than simple housewife"
y know I'll know it" replied my friend
with silght closing Of his brows. dBut wo
men VIII take their way. Her children an,