Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-05-04
Number 1S.

ing to restore by the charm of music. brightness
to his spirit. But she was conscious Of only
partial success. There was still gravity in bis
manner never perceived before AT tea-time
she smiled upon him so sweetly across the table,
and talked to him on such attractive themes, that
the right expression returned to his countenance;
and he looked as happy as she could desire.
From the tea-table they returned to their pleas
ant parlor And now the theme has come for Of
tering her gift aud receiving the coveted reward
of glad surprise, followed by sweet kisses and
loving words.
al will be back in moment" she said, and
passing from the room, she went lightly up the
stairs Both tone aud manner betrayed her secret.
or rather the possession of q secret with which
her husband was to be surprised. Scarcely had
her loving face faded from before his eyes, when
thought returned with u single bound to an un-
pleasant event of the day and the waters of his
spirit was again troubled. He had actually arisen
and crossed the floor once or twice, moved by a
restless concern, when his wife came down with
the dressing gown and slippers. She was trying
to force her countenance into grave expression,
to hold back the smiles that were continually
| striving to break in truant circles around her
lips when single glance ut her husbands face
told her that the spirit driven away by the eXor-
cism of her love- had returned again to his bosom.
He looked at her soberly, as she came forward.
"What are these ?" he asked, almost cody re-
pressing surprise, and affecting an Ignorance in
regard 10 the Deautllul present. sue nciu III ncE
hands that he did not feel
"They are for you, dear. | made them"
Z" For me? Nonsense What do want with
such jimcrackery. This is for woman's wear
DO you think would dishgure my feet with en-
broidered slippers or dress up in calico gown
Put them away, dear; your husband is too much
of man to robe himself in gay colors, like u
clown or actor" And he waived his hand with
an air of contempt. There was II bold, sneering
manner about him, partly affected aud partly
real born of his uncomfortable state of mind
Yet he loved his sweet wife, and would not, OF
sci purpose, have wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-thls cruel reception
of her present, over which she had wrought pa
tenty, In golden hope, for many days-thiS
dashing to earth of this brimful cup of JOY just
as it touched her lips, was more than the fair
young wife could bear To hide the tears that
| came rushing to her eyes, she turned away from
her husband {; and to conceal the sobs she had
no power to repress she went almost hurrlediy
from the room and going back to the chamber
| from whence she had brought the present, she
laid it away out Of sight in closet. Then COW
erng her face with her hands, she sat down and
strove to be calm But that shadow was too
deep-the heartache too heavy.
In little while her husband followed her, and
discovering, something to his surprise that sho
was weeping, said, in slightly reproving voice:
" Why, bless me, not in tears What q silly
| little puss you are Why didn't you tell me you
! thought of making dressing gown and pair OF
slippers, and would have vetoed the matter at
once You couldn't hire me to wear such Haunt
| ing things Come back to the paror"-he took
hold of her arm aud lifted her from the chair
" aud sing and play for me. The Dream Waltz
or The Tremelo, Dearest May or The Silly
Night are worth more to me than forty dress
! ing gowns, or a cargo OF embroidered slippers"
Almost by force, he led her back to the parlor,
aud placed her on the music stool. lie selected
q favorite piece, and laid 1t before her. But
tears we're in her eyes, and she could not see u
note. Over the keys her fingers passed in skiliul
touches; but when she tried to keep up the song,
utterance failed and sobs broke forth instead OF
words.
d" How foolish !" said the husband, in vexed
tone Z" am surprised at you" And he turned
from the piano, and walked across the room.
little while the sad young wife remained
where she was left thus alone, and in partial an
ger. Then rising, she went slowly from the room
her husband not seeking to restrain her-and
going back to her chamber sat down In darkness.
The shadow which had been cast upon her
spirit was very deep one although the hidden
sun came out again right early, 1t was long
time before his beams had power to scatter tho
clouds that foated In loves horizon.
The shadows we cast Father, husband, wife,
sister, brother, sou, neighbor are we not all
casting shadows daily some hearts that are
pining for the sunlight of our faces? We have
given you two pictures, not as a mirror, but as u
kaleidoscope. In all their varied relations, men
aud women sellshly or thoughtlessly y-from de
sign, weakness or ignoranee--are casting their
shadows on hearts that are pining for sunlight.
A word, look, a tone, an act, will cast a shadow
and sadden spirit for hours and days. Speak
kindly, act kindly be f0rgetters Of self, and you
will cast but few shadows along the path of life.
The true gentleman is always tender OF the feel
Jugs of others-always watchfu lest he wound
uuintentionally- thinking, when with
others, of their pleasure instead of his own lie
casts but few shadows. BE genIlemen-l ladies, or
in u word that which includes all graces and
excellencies s-Christiaus, for it is the Christian
who casts fewest shadows of all.
KNoTrY QuEsTIoNs.-A citizen of German ori-
gin propounds the following pertinent questions