The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-11-15
CHAPTER vi.

cessful in two or three important pro-
jects, and, disgustcd with the uncer-
tainty attending his pursuits, he had
suddenly determined to abandon poll
tics altogether. His heart ycarned to-
wards his sweet wife as it had never
yearned before. lie had been away
from her so long! lie needed her love
now, he needed her soft voice to soothc
and comfort him, and he came pre-
pared, not onl y TO receive but to give
consolation. He entered her boudoir
softly, intending to surprise her. She
was reclining on the sofa aslcep-pale
and sad, with tears still lingering on
her lashes, and her fair hair streaming
from her childish brow-her lips half
parted, and signing as she slept, she
looked so enchantingly lovely that he
sprung forward to awaken her with a
kiss, when apaper, lying loosely in her
hand, arrested his attention. He drew
it softly from her. 1t was addressed
"ro My Husband and thinking him
self thus justified in reading it, ho did
so, with what emotions may be better
imagined than told 1t was as fol-
lows:
Oh! hasten to my side, pray!
dare not be alone!
The smile that tempts, when thourt away,
Is fonder than thine own.
Tho voice that oftcnest charms mine car,
Hath such beguiling tone,
Twill steal my very soul, fear,
All! leave me not alone
Itspcaks in accents low and deep,
1t murmurs praise too dear.
1tmakes me passiOnately weep,
Then gently soothes my fear;
1t calls me sweet, endearing names,
With Loves own chidlike art,
Ny tears, my doubts, it softly blames--
'Tis music to my heart
And dark, deep, eloquent, soul-tiled eyes
Speak tenderly to mine;
Beneath that gaze what feelings rise
1t is more kind than thine
A hand, even pride can scarce repel,
Too fOndly seeks nine own,
1t is not safe lit is not we'll
All. leave me not alone!
try to calm, in cold repose,
Beneath his earnest eye,
Theheartthat thrills the cheek that glows;
Alas in vain try
OH trust mo not--a woman frail--
To brave the snares of life!
Lest lonely, sad, unloved, fail,
And shame the namo Of wife.
Come back though cold and harsh to ME,
There's honor by thy side
Better unblest, yet safe, to be,
Than lost to truth, to pride
Alas my peril hourly grows,
In every thought and dream
Not-not to thee my spirit goes.
But still-yes still TO him!
Return with those cold eyes to me,
And chillmy soul once more,
Back to the loveess apathy,
1t learned so well before
Jealousy, anger, pity, remorso and
owe were at war in the breast of Har-
wood but, with u moments reflection
through tho past, upon his own conduct,
he three latter conquered, and, kneel
ng by her side, he pressed his lips upon
Ter brow. She murmured softly in hcr
lcep, 'Dear, darling husband, do you
owe me p and the color tremblcdin her
heck like the rosy light of moraing on
he snow.
Harwood pressed her passionately to
is heart, and she awoke terrified,
shamcd, pcnitent, yet happy at length
eyond expression, for she forgavo and
'as forgiven. She had overrated, in
er sensitive conscientiousness, the ex.
mt of her error. Her fancy, her
lind, rather than her affections, had
cen beguiled. Harwood felt at onco ,
,at the dewy bloom ofpurity had not s
zen brushed from the heart of his fra '
lie flower, by tho daring wing OF the Z
lsect that had sought it, and hence +"
,rth It was cherished in its proper
ome-his own noble and faithful h
reast! p