The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-06

bined to indulge them, and satisfy her with
q sensuous life. But such pleasures will
pail at last-they are only surface sweet.
ness-and true heart will become wearied
and thirsty for cooler, purer draughts in
time. Two seasons she had been fed upon
them. Had not her tastes become perverted
and turned wrong, so that she would never
desire the food that makes true life : 1t
seemed 80. Night after night she foated
into the parlor 10 her cloud like ball.robes,
her ivory shoulders bare, gold and jewels
flashing on her round arms and snowy
throat, and in a few moments would be
whirled from my sight to scenes of festivity.
And these were the evenings I had hoped
to spend with her. The thought was very
sad.
had been at home three months, when,
one stormy day, I sat alone in my library.
I was reading Tennyson. TIE book slip
ped from my fingers at last, and fell to the
floor. I had become absorbed in revery.
Suddenly the door was pushed open. Josie
came softly in from the ball. She paused q
moment at seeing me, but when sprung up
and wheeled forward chair, she shook her
head.
"No; do not intend to stay. I only
strolled in here to find some amusement"
she said, carelessly.
The book on the floor attracted her at
tention. She stopped and picked it up.
"Tennyson! Were You reading this ?"
she asked.
II was. Have you read his Idyls Of
the King?'"
"No. read very little nowadays.
nave no time."
She stood looking the book through
scanning passages here and there. watch.
ed her closely. She read on. The look of
laDgor she had worn on entering, gradually
faded away. Her eye grew earnest; her
cheek flashed; her lips parted with the in
terest she felt. How long she would have
stood there, do not know, but l pushed
over an ottoman with my foot.
81 beg pardon. had forgotten that I
had taken possession of your book" she
said, looking up.
"Do you like the book 2"
"Very much"
Cannot we read together, theni"
drew up the ottoman had kicked over
close to my side. Then I took the book,
and laid it upon my knee.
ave can both see in this way I remark
ed quietly.
She looked at me. Twas perfectly grave
After moments hesitation she sat down
at my side. Neither of US spoke for a
while. She fell to reading; l,unobservedly,
to watch her. She wore q neat moroiDg
wrapper of dark merino, lined with blue silk
A snowy ruffle ran round the throat. Her
hair was put back smoothly from her fore.
head, and coilsd at the back of her head.
She looked the sweet home woman, then.
We read the sweet love-tale of "Elaine." !"
When we had done she leaned back with a
deep sigh.
''That was very true love, JOSIE" 1
said.
'sIt is pity Sir Launcelot was not wor-
thy of it., she replied.
Can any man be truly worthy Of such
devotion ?"
YesL But there are many Elaine's in
the world-many Sir Launcelot's."
"You think women are apt to love not
wisely, but too we'll ?" l said quietly, but
my he-rt was rising as looked at her.
Eyes. 1t is pity women must needs
love at all. They never get full return" +"
"Never T.
"Sel6om."
And what is the effect of this one sided
arrangement"
"Oh the woman must have her hero,
and she idealizes common man, and de
votes herself to the worship:
'Now it is my glory to have loved
One epeerless,-withoat STAIN
Or else she thinks her instinct to love folly
which she must overcome, and marrles with.
out any,"
Humph !"
She played with the tasseled cords of her
dressing-gown for moment, then rose,
and said she must dress for dinner. There
was company expected to dine.
JOSIE"
"Well?"
What are you going to do?
She turned and faced me with sudden
spirit.
"Wait for a true hero," she replied,
clearly, and left the room.
Aha T. said to myself.
had intended to leave town on the fol-
lowing day, but changed my mind. l had
work to do where was.
A few weeks later, I entered the library
and found Josie alone there. She was sit
ting on an ottaman with her head on the
cushioned seat of an arm chair. When she
saw me, she lifted her face and pushed
away the chair. l wheeled it toward her
again. and sat down
Are you sick, Josie 2"
No: blue!" she said, smiling pensively.
/ looked at her inquiripgly.
You will laugh" she continued, "but l
am terribly tired of life."
I did not laugh.
1t is 80 wearisome living day after
day in the same round !-risiDg, dressing,