The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-08-23

and children, in whom her own life was
bound up.
1t was not that love for her husband had
grown dul-answering not as mirror an.
swereth to face-that her countenance cid
not light ur at his coming-that she did not
meet his word and attentions with smiling
glances. Had she not given him her heart
when she gave him her hand-had she not
promised to be faithful wife? Was she not
true in all of her relations? What more was
required other? She never thought that her
husband was weak enough to desire daily
repetition of the love elances with which, in
the season of young loves ardor, her eyes
were ever beaming when they turned upon
his countenance.
And yet it was even So 1t was because
he hoped to live all his after life in the
warmth of those glances, that he had wooed
and won her in the bright days of her young
womanhood. And when he saw the light
growing daily DINNER and DINNER, and felt
its genial warmth diminishing, shadow fell
upon his spirit. Very kind, very attentive,
the husband remained, but his wife became
aware ola certain coldness toward herself
that was far from being as pleasant as the
lover-like manner with which he had former
ly treated her and many times she sighed
for the tones and glanccs she saw him give
to other ladies, as he sighed for like TO-
kens oflnterest from herself. Both were in
error, and both, in a certain sense, to
blame.
On the evening referred to, the contrast
between the manner Of his wife to himself
and to other men who showed her little at
tentions, was felt with more than usual dis
tinctness by Mr.. Archer. He was not jeal-
Gus, for he knew the truth of her character,
not offended hut hurt. Almost any price
would he have paid for the bright return an
other received for simple act, the double of
which on his part, would scarcely receive o
passing notice.
Not long after this Mr. Archer saw his
wife drop her handkerchief Steppidg forward
from where he stood talking with lady, he
lifted it from the floor and placed it in her
hand. His eyes were fixed upon her coun-
| tenance, but she did not so much as return
his look, nor make the slightest acknowledge
ment merely receiving the handkerchief with
quiet indifference, in striking contrast with
! the way in which she had taken the glove
from another's hand. Mr.. Archer was
disappointed. The dropping flowers in his
heart were pining for sunbeames, and he had
hoped for few bright rays. But they were
not given.
A lady to whom Mrs. Archer had been in
troduced that evening, and who was a stran-
ger to both herself and husband, sat by her
side. They had been conversing with some
animation, and were interested in each other.
Th is lady was struck by the marked differ
ence with which Mrs. Archer received these
two slight attentions from different gentle
men. She had observed the polite response
made when the glove was handed to its own
er, and was pleased with the graceful manner
other new acquaintance. The cold almost re-
pulsive way in which she accepted the hand
kerchief was, therefore, noticed the more dis
| tinctly. She saw that the individual who
presented it was Disappointed if not hurt.
Her inference was natural.
THAT gentleman is no favorite of yours"
| she remarked.
"What gentleman p; Mrs. Archer looked
curious.
"He who lifted your handkerchief just
now"
"Why doyo think so p There was a
slightly amused expression in the corners of
Mrs. Archer's mouth.
"You treated him very coldly-almost
rudely, l thought-pardon me for saying so
quite differently from the way in which
you treated the gentleman who picked up
your glove few minutes ago."
A smile spread over the countenance OF
Mr. Archer.
"Oh, he's only my husband - she made
answer.
"The one who lifted the glove ?"
"No-the one who gave me my handker-
chief,
"Only your husband !"
The lady spoke in tone that Mrs. Archer
could not help feeling as rebuke.
"He's..my husband" said she, "and dosen't
expect me to be particularly ceremonious.--
He picked up my handkerchief as thing Of
course. The other was mere acquaintance
-halfa stranger, in fact and q more form.
al acknowledgment Of his polite attention
could not have been omitted without rude.
ness"
I'm afraid, remarked the lady guar led
ly, so as to not give offence, "that some OF
US are scarcely just to our husbands in this
matter of exterior courtesy. know that I
have not been and lesson once received
will never be forgotten"
The eyes Of Mrs. Aarher turned, by kind
of instinct, toward her husband. He was
standing near brilliant gas lamp, the light
Of which was falling clearly on his face His
glance was upon the floor. There was a
shadow on his countenance which the strong
light. instead Of obliterating, made more dis.
tinctly visihle-a look Of disappointment,
that was almost sad.