The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-12-21

One thick braid OF hair passed across her
head, and it suited her better than any coro-
net. And as ske raised her hand to smooth
the brown ripples about her forehead the
sleeve fell back, and the pretticst round srlm
you ever saw cleaned out sd beWitchinEly
| knew very we'll why she had dressed with
so much taste on this palticular evening" -
We were going out together to a birthday
party given by young cousin of hers; for
Nora thought that nothing could go right
without cousin Alice to superintend.
She got her hood and cloak, making a
noise purposely to attract my attention; but
| heard noting. Then she came and stood
before ME while she was tying on her hood;
and waited some time for me to speak; but
| would not and at last she said, tiInidly:
I'VE are going to Uncle William S to-
night. H0."
""Well?' .."
That was all I said. Then she went away
looking very sad Presently dusky face
peered in at the door! .'..
Carriage am ready, misses. "
''George, are you going with me to-
night"
mo"
IL am very SORRY" she said, meekly; but
Nora will be 50 disappointed it | do aot go,
SO ! must ga"
''Very well"
| did not look up till I heard the door
close after her. Then l flung the paper
aside with a muttered curse, and strobe
6ercely to the window. Watched her enter
the carriage, and saw it drive off; and then
came back to the fire, kicked over Il stool
and kicked it again where it fell; flung the
paper into the fire, when punched savage.
y for want of something more substantial
on which to vent my fury, and then sat down
with my face buried in my hands and groan-
ed bitterly through my clenehed teeth.
was angry with my suffering, unoffend-
ing wife because she had gone out without
me. thought sho ought to have staid at
| home and broken her engagement to humor
my absurd caprice, when she did not even
! know that | wished her to do SO. | was al
so angry with myself for treating her in such
a manner. Never before in all nay life had
| felt SO. Altogether, was perfectly mis-
erable.
While ] sat there I unconsciotisiy drew
from my finger the ring | wore there.
| held it up, as was often in the habit Of
| doing, to read the inscription within; and
the words "Griere not tie heart that lOrcS
| thee flashed before my gaze-fashcd into
my heart with such painful viyidness that |
started and looked around to see who had
| uttered them, There was no one there.
was alone and conquered by the talisman OF
tie ring. 'Grleve not the heart that loves
thee" 1t was her gift. These were the
words she was wont to murmur, lying with
closed eyes and white handl nestled in mine
and the dear head pillowed on my heart
| Such the sweet refrain, breaking ever and
anon from the fresh lips, till [ hushed their
music into silence by the pressure Of my
own.
'Glieve not the heart loves thee" It
was her voice that spoke to me in the still
ness Of that lonely room. Oh! no other
could have the power to so thrill ny sou!
with feelings such as had then! Where
WAS she then? Moving amidst the glare
and glitter Of the crowded ballroom? Oh
no! know her spirit came to me in that
lonely hour to take Il last farewell, to breathe
a parting benedictou On my unworthy
headl
That ring was her gift She placed it on
and I promised her solemly, with her earn.
est brown eyes looking into mine, that
would never part with it in life or in death.
.
memories of old times flashed across my
mind, like sudden sun-bursts over dark.
ened landscape. | thought Of the time
as she was. 1t was not long-only two years
and they had been such pleasant onesl She
was very young, was Alice, when ! first
brought her to my home-only seventeen
aud was her senior in years. But wa;
older in experience even than in years Ac
customed from very early life to act anc
think for myself had acquired the habit
Of domination unconscously; and Alice
with her tiny figure and fair young face; anc
clinglng, caresslng ways, | never could think
of but as a beautiful child, to be spoiled
and pGtted, and loved and governed. Heav
en- knows how loved and cared for her!-
But she had never before disobeyGd me-.
Never before had she so wounded-not my
love for her, but my love of authority.
But my heart was softened now, though
Of il her carcssing, pretty ways-how she
had nursed me during long illness IN tht
past tall---how she would bound into my
arms when came home every evening; ant
then thought how drcary my home woulC
be without her, and oil the repressed tender
ness of.my nature welled up.
Poor childP' ! murmured regretfully
how have made her suffer- was harsh
God forgive me! Oh, that Sc were her,
now that | might take her to my heart, an(
soothe her into forgetfulness, my poor dar
ling" ..
Hooked at the clock. The hands point
ed to ten. She never staid out later.
'She will soon be here, | said trustfully
and then | rang the bell, and had tie fir
replenished and the room arranged agains
her coming. drew her favoiite chair VI
into the bright blaze, and placed my owl
beside it, then | went to the window AM
looked mpatiently down the moonlit avenue
Not coming yeti | walked up the foo
once or twice; and then to bcguile the tedi
Gus moments, entered into an investigation
of the contents Of her little work baske
which stood on table. But I dropped
quickly, for / heard the carriage coming u
the avenue. WIS at the door as soon as
stopped, and opened it eagerly. My wifi
f sat with her face turned from me, and quit
hidden by the large woolen hood.
Are you not very cold aud tired, dear?'
said, my voice trembling with impatien
tenderness as l extended my hand to assis
her to rise; but there was no answer, AM
, she remained quite still.
"Alice, love, speak to mel DO you no
hear2"
Silent still! Then l thought she had fsl
len asleep, and took her hand to awaken hel
1t was so cold that started back chilled
'How cold you are, dear Alice! Are 70,
ill?" And | leaned forward and pushed tn
hood from her face--so motionless it Nigh
have been carved in stone. The moonligh
shown full upon it, and on the precious blu
eyes, wide open, but dimmed and filmed.
Dead 0 Cod mol
I would not allow myself to think Of it,
"She has tainted" | said; and carried HI
swiftly into the House and laid her on. Il
! rofs ! knew nethiag Of the gail sri