The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-07

ten years apart, meeting in the cabin Of
-. Are you going, Maria p
The lady had risen from her seat. Il
see no reason for my remaining she an.
Swercd. quietly. 4
IF you cannot bear to breathe the
same atmosphere with me. will retire, ;
said the husband. Il will not turn you
out Of the cabin; III go on deck
The lady looked up at the skylight
above her, OIL which the rain was pattcr-
ing down furiously.
impossible to stay on deck in a night
like this said she, with faint return Of
the interest of a wife.
Thank you for that, Maria
Il did not mean that, she explained,
hastily; I'LL
You are unkind not to let me think You
did, said the husband. AT all events,
since we have met in this strange way, do
not let US meet as enemies
'Encmics3 NOr smiled the lady.
Yield TO IL suggestion Of mine for once
continued the husband. You are taking
tea don't let me deprive you of that; it
will refresh you or'-his face lighted up
as with bright idea-'suppose we take
tea together?
"Together!' echoed the lady.
oh don't be alarmed said the gentle.
man; you shall pay for your own, and
for mine, and we shall have it on differ
cnt trays, IN the most platonic manner
possible
Despite the rapid beating Of her heart,
the lady could not repress a smile, of
which her husband took immediate ad.
vantage by ordering tea for himself at the
tabh opposite his wife.
Mr. an Mrs. Thirdly had been married
in the year 1916. Miss IIarbrowe was a
noted beauty, and Francis Thirdly some
what crratic bachelor. After a honey.
moon. and three or four other moons Of
unmixed sweetness. spent abroad among
grand old ruins, crumbling columns, aud
colossal statues, like ghosts Of greatness
passed away, under dreamy skies and
pert volcanoes, they returned to cool and
cloudy England-its tempestuous sum
Iners, mild. though nurky winters, and
carefully concealed domestic hurricanes.
A year passed, and among old friends,
old haunts and Old associations, eaSy-gO-
ing Mr.. Thirdly became the usual careless
husband, engaged more with his Green.
wich dinner and his clubs at home, unless
he gave party, when he would shine
with his customary brilliAncy. When
alone with his wife, he appeared absorbed
in meditation. She resented his want Of
as>iduity, and he resented her resentment.
She had been an only child; so had he.
Neither would be the first to yield. Each
was endowed with the fatal gift Of sarcasm
and used it mercilcssy. They stabbed
their mutual happiness with cpigrams,
and battered down their home with the
artillery of bitter words. Months passed
in fierce storms and lowering threatening
calrDs. The last provocati0n was given.
Mrs. Thilrhy was jealous She left the
house, aud shortly after a separation was
mutually agreed on.
Mr.. Thirdly, finding his Hrc>ide coll.
and his home merely furnished apart.
ments, resolved on adopting career He
had an interest at the India House, and
obtained all appointment in the Civil Ser.
vice. Years had passed. He had return
ed; and as he looked at the wife he had
once SO l"vcd, ami had SD strangely met,
he felt that he could have begun his
c0uitship once again the last fourteen
years were annihilated she was before
him; the old charm foatcd about her,
and he felt his heart liquify as he traced
the wcllremembercd features and their
play beneath the swinging light in the
close, trembling. rocking cabin.
MIS-. Thirlby sat with her eyes fixed on
the tumbiing gsra-cxtrrnally calm, violet
eyed, impassive, and grand. Her hus
band, leaning his elbow on the table, and
his head upon his hand, said:
Upon my word. Maria, you are looking
better than ever I
A flush Of pleasure surged up to Mrs.
ThirlhyS face: she beat it back again
bravely, but could not resist slight smile,
for she felt, with the selfconsciousnesS of
a handsome woman, that her husband
had spoken truly, and as he thought.
This is remarkable meeting, isit not ?
continued he. hardly knowing what to
say, yet disliking silence more thnn haz-
arling something commonplace. BY the
way. you have a servant with you, haven't
your
mo-
mol How is thaty
Harriet had never seen the sea in her
life, and refused to embark. She said we
were sure to be drowned; SO came away
without her.
How odd = said the husband; there is
not single pasScnger-I mean in this
cabin-but ourselves
we are single |! said the wife, relaxing
to smile.
'Of course VIC are-at PRESENT. said
the husband.
And mean to keep so continued Mrs.
Thirdly, observing thao her husbands
ewes were fixed on hers with al express
sion Of deep interest. Finding that his
earnest gaze WAS noticed, that gentleman
swallowed nearly whole cup Of tea at
draught.
4 haven't enjoyed my tea so much for
years. said he putting down the empty
cup--I may say ten years
II was always Mr.. Francis Thirlby's
practice to jest when he was in earnest,
until he felt his way, and his antagonists
power Of resistance.
Shall I be indiscreet in asking what
motive you have in visiting Ireland?' he
asked, finding that no reply, verbal or ia.
cial, was made to his last observation.
Mrs. Thirlby poured herself out Sec
ond cup Of tea, and said: 4 am going to
pass few month with-Ohr
She shrieked with pain. Thirlby rose
with an anxious and perturbed counte-
nance.
whats the matter p he asked.
4 have scalded my hand replied his
ex.wife, applying her lips to the part af-
fected.
ALLOW me- said he, about to take hold
Of the injured member.
Thank you, no, said the lady, hastily
withdrawingit. Tpermit no interference
with what is entirely my own property
The face OF the husband turned red,
and the wife felt the cruel pleasure of vic
tory.