The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-07-26
IN THE TWILIGHT.

parcel under his arm, suggestive Of lace
and ribbons, instead Of having him all to
yourself, day in and day QUITO know that
the blue. breathed evening cigar will newt
ably be abbreviated by "Oh ! my wife will
be anxious if am rot at home by eight
o'clock r'-to tell him about the pink bon.
net you met in the cars, and be generally
confidential, and then find your tongue
suddenly palsied by the conviction that he
will tell his wife every word you have been
saying. There is no use in talking about
the thing-it is actually indescribable.
Do you suppose did not feel Jealous
when Jack Msyclitfe got married! Do
you suppose the green.eyed monster did
not inspire me with all sorts Of unamiable
feelings towards the little brown eyed
beauty who had cut me out completely
It took me some time to get reconciled to
the new state of things. But when found
she did not object to my sitting on the
balcony and smoking with Jack-nay, that
she actually lighted our cigars for US, and
then brought her little foot-stool and SAT
down beside-that she laughed ike peal
of merry bells at my bachelor chances and
mishaps-that she liked to have me to
come to dinner on Sundays, :hen thought
Jacks vas not SO bad an institution after
all. And, one day, when she brought her
tiny wicker. work basket, and stood on tip.
toe 10 sew the loose buttons on my coat, I
capitulated in good earnest.
Jack" said /, ''your wife is-well, not
exactly an angel, for don't believe in an.
gels about house-but the sweetest little
woman ever set my eyes on. You won't
be jealous, old fellow p
.:Jealous-no" said Jack, stretching his
neck SO as to look after the light, disap.
pearing figure. "But I'll tell you what,
Arthur, you ought to see Nettie's sister ~
Sure enough, about two weeks after.
ward, as I came in at the sweet. brier
Swallowed gate, and paused to look at the
crimson Glove pinks just opening their
fringed petals, the silver tones of another
voice sound cd ia the low. :aved piazza, and,
almost before knew ii, Jacks arm was
through mine, and he was introducing to
me duplicate edition Of his wife "a scar
let.lipped, arch eyed girl in white. muslin,
with coral bracelet on her arm.
Prom that moment was gone. l did
not know whether sat in Jacks velvet
easy chair or on the top rail Of the fence.
said, mo, thank you," when Mrs.
Jack asked me how was; stirred my cup
Of chocolate with my knife; tried to put
the table cloth into my pocket instead Of
handkerchief, and finally disgraced myself
irrevocably By depositiDg the baby on the
mantelpicco and putting the match box in
the cradle.
"Good gracious Mr.. Arden" exclaim.
ed Mrs. Jack. what's the after with
your"
II believe-l think--I've got cold in
my head" faltered l, looking all the time
at Agnes, who Was playing with her brace.
let and pretending not to laugh.
sack" said l, that evening, as he went
out to the gate with mo, there's no use
trying to mince matters-if can't win
Miss Agnes I shall take arsenic"
Jack squeezed my hand-hc had been
through the mill himself.
"Do you think she cares for me, Jack 2"
I asked, plaiotvely, about month after.
wards. III declare, honestly, I've the
greatest mind in the world to jump off the
pier, or hang myself peaceably. Now, what
does she mean by flirting with that great
red. whiskered Carew? Oh Jack, do be
merciful and tell me what you may really
think"
Poor Maycliffel it was about the thir-
tieth time had asked him the same qucs
ton.
"Why, how can tell, Arthur! You
might as we'll ask me to read the Hindoo
alphabet as to decipher the mysteries of
woman's heart. Why don't you ask her
yourself?'
'Me ask her |" and the cold chills ran
through me like veins Of ice. Jack, l
dare not, for my life -
swell, l can't give any better advice"
said he, "only remember, my boy, that
faint heart never won fair lady"
He turned away and left me standing
in the amber blush Of twilight, among
clusters Of cinnamon roses ard the tall car:
nals Of cleaning lilies. Up the sky tho
new moon hung, carved thread OF silver,
and one bright star bore its lance of pearl
against the radiant horizon. looked ab
sen,ly up at the fair atmosphere-downa at
the blossoming garden Of flowers, thinking,
in my perplexity, how like the blue heaven
was Asnes's eyes, and marvelling that the
pink roset were so akin to the dainty color
that came and went upon her soft cheek
Beside the low French window that looked
out upon the piazza I saw the fragrant
gloom-it was there that Mrs. Mayclif
was wont to sit with her baby.
caught the refrain Of the low, delicious
cradle song she warbled in the tiny sleeper's
ears. A bright thought struck me.
would take woman's wit into my coun-
sci.
"Nettie," said I, sitting down on the pi,
loo had sOot tho
rose .enwreathed pillar just opposite the
window, II wish you'd tell me what to do.
l am desperately in love with your sister
and-don't laugh, now-I haven't tho
courage to tell her So"
paused an instant and then went o.
II love her better than my life. No
that is not saying enough would die to
make her happy. Oh! Nettie, can't you
give me a word of encouragement? l dare
not tell her Of my love, because my heart
shrinks 50 in dread from the little word
mol" Will she speak it, do you think ?
Nett;e, will she break my hearth"
spake with trembling accents fresh
from the deep recesses of nv soul. The
very air seemed to sob around me rs
ceased. One instant Of silence in the soft.
pulsing fragrance Of the midsummer twi-
light. and then there was a futter Of light
szure robes and the fall of q fairy footstep.
Ere I could look up, soft white arm,
cleaning with the clasp of blood red coral
bracelet, was around my neck, and
shower Of brown curls nestled in my
breast.
"Shs will not-she will neverw
The voice was that of Agnes Day l
held the coy, coquettish trembler to my
heart.
Life has been trimming with sweets ever
since. Many golden moment has paused
to sprinkle his chalice Of joy around my
footsteps as it passed into the world Of the
by gone but in all my existence there
never came q second time like that / had