The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10
and lowest all was zero and underlined myste-
ry. Patience therefore acted the part Of mer'


being ready for what ever might occur.
In due time came coffee. The injured lady
came too. and with placid countenance,
betraying no lingering evidence of its late
unamiablc expression. Neither husband nor
wife made any allusion to their misunder-
standing, and they passed a pleasant evening.
made up OF conversation, the piano forte,
and chess.
But the next morning, Rose favored her
dear Edward with number Of the series.
She wanted him to walk out with her, and
he declared that unfortunately he should be
too busy to 90 with her all day. This was
quite sufficient raw material for q girl oil
spirit to work upon.
AIN sure you don't want to go, Edward "
said she, pouting in exact imitation OF tit
number one. "At least you don't want to
so with me-"
Edward plunged both hands into the pock-
cts Of his drcssiug-gown-thrcw himself in
dolcntly on sofa--gazcd abstractcdly at n
bronze bust of Shakespeare on the mantle
picce-aud began whstling in low tone q
plaintivc melody, it was "In my cottage near
a wood"
"If were any one but your wife," con.
tinued Mrs. Somerton, with pointed emphasis.
"you would be ready enough to come; bu,
wives, you know, are always neglected" Mr..
Somerton continued whstling.
81 beg, Mr.. Somerton," exclaimed Mrs.
Somerton with withering look, "that you
will not whistle in that very disagrccablc
manner while l am speaking to you. If |
am not worthy of your love, ] trust am
worthy Of common attention."
Edward plunged his hands deeper into his
pockets, removed his eyes from tho bust of
Shakespeare. and fixed them in intense regard
on bust of Milton. He paused suddenly
in the air which he was whistling, and COM
menccd another; it was "Sul margine dun
RIO"
Mrs. Somerton retired hastily with her
pretty face buried in white cambric pocket
handkerchief.
For five whole days after this scene all was
halcyon weather. Doves might have behcld
and envied. Honey was still to be found in
the moon, and no impolitic reference to ci-
,her Of the two foolish quarrcls gave any
pleasure the slightest dash Of bitter.
But on the sixth day there appeared
clouds. Edward had been into town, and
had promised to bring pair of new bracelets
for Rose. He arrived home punctually at
dinner.timc, hut without the bracelcts-he
had forgotten them. put it to You whether
this was not enough to try the temper OF a
saint? They were going the next evening
to large party, and Rose had intended to
inspect the important ornaments this evening,
and take Edwards opinion, so that there
might be time to change them if not approved
of. Now she could not do so-and all from
his horrid forgettulness. She must either 60
in stupid old fashioned thing, or put on
new ones in hurry, good or bad, just as
they happened to be. 1t was most annoying
that indeed it was
Edward made many apologies. He was
sincerely sorry to have disappointed her, and
even offered to returned to town after dinner
and repair his neglect. D, no; she would
not hear Of his taking so much trouble for
her. What did he care whether she were
disappointcdOr not' Undergraduates showed
how much he thought of her
Edward again cssaycd the soothing system,
for he loved her, and was conscious that he
had given her cause for some slight charGn.
lIcwever, she became so pcrscvcring that but
one course was left him to pursuc--hc left oil
talking and took to whistlins.
trcmblcd for the future peace of Rose
while relate that he considered himself JUS
tilted in descending at once to tho second de-
cree of the scale. lie commenced, Andante
ma non troppo, "Sul margine dun rio''
"To leave me in such situation - ex-
claimed the ill.used wife, in voice Interrupt
tel by sobs. "when had set my heart upon
those bracelets. II is very, very unkind,
Edward"
Edward appeared wrapt in meditation and
music. He whistlcd with great asto and
lcelinr. accenting the FIRST note of each bar
rs Il should be accented. But upon another
more cutting observation from Mrs, somcrton,
he stopped short, looked sternly at her and
began "nomc, sweet home"
} What was to follow? lie hadreachcd tho
last degree, and all else was at random.
Should this fail. the case was indeed hope
less Shadows Of demons hovcred around
holding forth 'emptingly deeds of separation.
The bright gold weddins.ring on the ladys
0 finger grew dull and brassy. :
Edward Somertou stood in the centre of
$ the room, with his arms folded. gazing with
! q steady gaze into the very soul Of his wife,