The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-04-27

semcd the days Of her life, beautiful
with youth, fragrant with tenderness |!
Alas / alas! or the withered flowers.
for the blasted fruitsi Alas! alas for
all the hope and joy Of Mary Growers
life!
.Oh, If Robert Grover had only been
q different man, better husband, it
need not have come to this = She put
her hands up to her eyes, for the tears
that blinded them were rung from her
heart, and she could not see, walking
up and down her parlor. She dashed
the drops aside and sat down, for she
was trembling in every limb. She had
heard the front door open her brother
had gone faster than she expected. He
enters the sitting room, returns in a
moment, crosses the hal; the door
or ems, and Robert Grover stands in the
parlor.
Mrs. Grover grew very white; a Iii.
the half amothcred exclamation broke
Fl ON her lips.
Are you 40 surprised to see me
Mary! asked the young man, a. he ap
preached his wife. What makes you
look so pale 3?
/ don't know, Robert Hammered
the agitatei woman.
The merchant sat down BY the aide
Of his wife, and looked at her ta,r face
with new tenderness in his eyes,
The truth is Mary, | got troubled
about you, and took the morning train
for that very reaaon.'
what does it mean? asked Mary
Grover, lifting her hand to her forehead
and making the inquiry more of herself
than Of her husband, for the woman
was half bewildered.
He could not suspect half The ground
that this question covered; but, inter
prcting it according to his own knowl.
.dge, he supposed that Mary was as.
tonishad at the unusual tenderness in
his manner; and, slipping his arm about
her waist. he said: 1t means, Mary,
that I've been thinking many wise and
tender thoughts Of you since I've been
away. and-there was little pause and
little struggle, fer it cost the elirit of
Robert Grover something to say il, but
he did-Fve felt that was harsh and
unjust, the morning before left. 1 was
bothered with my business, and did not
know what l was saying. Bnt, Mary,
I've made 3 solemn resolution that
will try to be to you somewhat Of all
that l promised more than three years
ago. mean to he gentle, more tender
forbearing for your sake and for mine
will you not try; my little wife, to be
better to me, more fargetfnl Of my
faults, less irritating TO my temper, and
won't this tempt you littlcT He took
up . small roll on one side Of him. tore
open corner Of it, and tossed it into
Mary's lap.-The torn wrapper dis
covered an exquisite broeade. and the
dark green groundwork scattered with
crimson buds.
Mary Grover glanced at it; then she
covered her face with her hands, and a
great storm OF sobs shook her soul to
its centre. Robert Grover was greatly
moved; he knew that those tears were
not tears Of passion or pride, tut that
they flowed sweet and fresh from q
fountain which had long been sealed in
the heart Of his wife.
He drew her to his heart, he soo,hed
her with broken words and tender ca
resses, and when the sobs grew loud at
last, ne told her what had been in his
heart since he left her. At last Mary
lifted her lips to his cheek, and he
knew that the kiss which she left there
was the seal Of new and better coven
ant be,wixt her and her husband Just
then the froat door opened sharply,
rapid feet hurried thro' the hall, and q
loud voice summoned Mary
why, that's your brother George
1 didn't know that he was in townr ex-
claimed Robert Grover.
Before Mary could answer her broth
er had opened the pa,aor door No
wonder that Ls stood still his face re
veaIing nething Of his thoughts, except
their utter sa,axeMert, as he stood look
ing on the two who sat there.
Robert Grover arose and gave his
hand 10 his brother inlaw, warMly.- -
George old fellow, I'm glai % see you.
Walk IN.
George responded to his hand, scarce
ly conscious Of 3hN he Was doing, fr