Shreveport daily news., 1861-06-07
The Hour Of Triumph.

watch AGAIN, and went to the large
windows, drew aside tho rich cur
tains, looked out, listened, and Won
dered for the hundredth time, what
could detain him. An hour passed,
and again she looked out anxiouly for
the form she could not see, and lis
tened eagerly for the step she could
not hear.
The night was calm and starry;
the moon, full and clear: the ground
covered with snow, and beautifully
tiowered with shadows of every des-
cription. She could see persons pas
sing backward and forward, but no
where could she see, no where could
she hear him for whom she looked,
for whom she waited.
Two hours passed; she tried to
read, tried to sew, tried to play, but
she could not do anything bullock ont,
listen, start, walk the floor, wander
from one room 10 another kiss the
baby, and pray that nothing had hap
pened. Two hours and a half elapsed
and Mrs. Clifford felt that something
dreadful had happened. Three long
hours. and, mute as mouse, she sat
down and waited the tidings in calm
despair. Presently she heard foot
steps; the gate opened; she sprang to
her feet, listened, but no, she Was
mistakened; tho step was firm, slow.
and heavy, his was quick, light. and
ringing.
A weakness and trembling con-
vulsed her frame for second, Il
deathly paleness overspread her coun-
tenance whic'l but a few moments
before had been so bright. "Scme-
thing has happened,' she said; and
unable longer to endure the surprise,
she ran down, opened the door and
10 and behold, there stood Mr. Cliff
ford, alive. and seemingly well.
What in the wosld has kept vou!'
she exclaimed. and she gave him a
glad hearty welcome.
"Brsincss, dear" was the low, me-
lancholy reply.
She looked up into his face; it was
clouCed with grief and his tones
were the saddest she bad ever heard.
"Semethiug troubles him. she
Thought, and in the kindest, sweetest
} tones she invited him in, gave him &
seat. and then rang for tea. Again
she looked into that troubled counte
nance. again she wondered what was
; the matter, and, stepping lightly t'
his side, she put one arm around III:
neck. leaned his head against he,
bosom, passed the other little hanC
lightly through his hair, pressed
burning kiss upon the sAiverins
locks, then feeling particularly anx
; ious about tea. she excused hersei
: and went to see if everything Wa:
Just as lie liked.
She had one OF the INCEST and bes
Of housckeepers and cooks. Sh,
found supper ready, and everything
all right then as he bell rang. sh'
returned, gave Mr. Clifford her hand
and escorted him in.
The room which they entered wa
handsomely finished and furnished: tn
: ire burned brilliantly in the CRATE
. the clock ticked cheertully upon tn
mantle, while in the centre stood th
little table delicious with dainties
, and dazzling with its grand lamp
suow-white cloth, beautiful china
and shining silver. Mr.. Clifford tool
; the foot of the table, Mrs. Clifford tn
( head: a servant stood IN waitings an
the picture was complete. Mrs. Gil
, ford was not beautiful in feature, tina
I is. her features We're not ali perfect
but she Lad a noble mind, a splendi
education, " arm heart, a low, mus
+ cal voice, magnificent eyes, and
l. sweet beautiful. intellectual counter
ance: and Mr.. Clifford was just sue
il a man as would be apt ta love: statel