Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-02-01

black l;ur, which Maiian was proud o.,
WAS lifted c:trclesslv from his forehead,
gvnt!. as her dear hand was wont TO touch
il. lie Was tail slender fellow, vet
finely built, with a full broad chest and
slender sinewy arms that luUkcd as if
made for protecting just such thing ;,s
Marian ali through the DAYS oi h,r life
His hands did not look much as If they
had worn XIII gloves, but they were Just
such hands As Il weary woman would
cling TO for assistance and uplrnl,ling when
trouble was near or Il hope had failed her
He sat very quiet, with the soft, scented
air blowing over him, and looked about
the sitting room. Ii was very pleasant
Marian's pretty little trifies were scattered
here and ikcrc-picturcs ui her drawing
hung in modest frames made of pine cones
and shells against the walls There was
itn oval mirror in its dark polished frame
WAS her low rocking chair she sat IN every
evening and rocked their baby 10 >lreI-
her work basket with an end of ctging
hanging by the side. Then he looked at
the rattle and shook it, 1t seemed like Il
funeral bell. The slipper he touched as
revcrentiy as a Child puts oui lis hans! 10
touch the white f .ce of It's dead mother.
Marian came in smiling. with pink fu-h
on the check she had been making tea.
"Why john You here! You came
in so silently | never heard you. Tea is
ready for yuu."
Sine came up close 10 him as il 10 draw
lim with her. He TOOK her hand and
drew her to his knee; hc looked lung and
g"nriy into her clear ivy eyes, and then he
aske'i her:
" DO vou love me, Marion p
rlaytiiIy dr.win- his face against hers
she kissed him for an answer
She drew him closer and shud,iered rs
she embraced him
q" II there were no skeleton there p
thought Marian.
John Elmer sighed and put her from
lis knee, and rose up and followed her
into the kitchen No silver gTacgd thui.
table, bat the plain qucensware dishes
were epntlcssly cleaft-,hc table linen like
SNOW. a freshly gathered boquet stood
by Johns pI; t., composed of h"nev-s,ick-
les an late roses. and a few leaves from
Marions own house plaut-a ru>e yera-
nium The fare was simple and savory.
Mni;ln r,o:lred Johns tea. and watched
him drink it teytrieily, but he would not
eat.
"W hat is the matter, dear, are you
sick p questioned sne.
'.OnIy tired" said lie with a weary
look
After the table was cleared and the
kitchen once more in order Marian went
in and sat down on her husbands knee
and looked tcndcily up in lis face, say
ing:
Il know you work too hard John.
You must be careful of yourself Some
Of these days you will take sick and die.
and then what viii become of poor little
Grace and me! Oh John it would Kill
me to lose you :" and a tear fell wiIfulIy
down against her check.
Her husband did not answer, but he
felt truly that s.ich Il tender flower needed
tender and loving care, or it wouI., be
hiahted He locked ont of the window
the landscape louked drearv.
s. am sure you do not look well what
can do for You -
John Elmer forced her anxious face
down upon his busorn that he might not
see how sweet il was, then he said:
- Malian, wife, | have unpleasant news
for YOU ; can you listen to me now' Ii
will effect us materially"
His speech blinded her perception. She
asked:
"Have yonr wages been reduced l
know old MIR Hugh is very stingy- Per
haps we can get along though, if we are
very saving, IT the winter is 10 be hard, l
could get along almost any how with you
and the baby"
The strong man bowed his head over
hers and gr"ancd. The trial of their lives
was upon them. How should he tell her
the awful truth
Marian," he faltered, Marian, L
am drafted.
She >tarted-ehowcd him white, ter
rified face and then was very still. 1t was
over He had told her, and that patient,
passionate, earnest heart had been SEN
fenced To its torture. She lay very still
in his arms, moaning as one means when
hope has been overcome by life. his
was the skeleton she had tried 10 hide,
and, now, naked, distinct and Terrible
how CHASTITY it stood up before lerf What
a woman's heart sufiers-wbat 1t breaks
with. was coming to this child woman.
Baby Grace walked up and stretched
out her arms and smiled. Marian rose