The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-10

book being produced pretticr domestic Ia
bleau could scarcely be conceived than that
Of the graceful young wife, her delicate FIN.
gers rapidly weaving her brilliant oolored
silks, as with an earnest and interested coun-
tcnance she apparently listened to her hus.
band reading. ,a av a r.,,r,n..gi .r $50.
"Pshaw !" said Laura, presently. .a
"what is the matter2'' inquired Middle
ton. .,.'r,
~ havo dropped q stitch. No matter
60 on" she replied. tg,.7 u.i r
He looked annoyed, but after moments
pause, resumed his reading Nothing occur.
ring to interrupt him again, all went on har-
moniously uutil. happening to call her at
tention tosomo point In the drama. to which
Laura made no reply. he raised his eyes from
his book and repeated his observation. She
continued, however, perfectly silent for q
minute or two, and then looking up, said,
"What did you say 7" tr. t--,
"Why. what is the matter with your" he
asked rather impatiently. "Did you not
hear me ut first?" -
"Yes " she replied; "but was counting;
don't know what you said"
"Counting?" he exclaimed. . ,.
eyes," she continued; 81 am Obliged to
count every third row of this knitting to
make the pattern" fre
"And why in the name of common sense
did you ask me to read to you" ho inquired
sharply. You surely cannot count and lis
ten at the same time" s.
"I thought you liked to read" she ans
wered. calmly "and I would just as liet."
"No, certainly" he answered, angriy; I
shall not read IL you are not listening. !
can have no pleasure in reading loud to my.
self. ..' ...
.T CHAPTER THIRD
Remember Laura" said Mr.. Middleton,
few days after the above. mentioned occur.
renee, "that we dine to-day at Mrs. Harrs's.
and pray be ready in time. was mortified
and ashamed the las: time VIC dined there. to
end we had kept every body waiting full
half an hour. There is nothing so H.bred
as want Of punctuality; and you. I am sor-
ry to say. are never ready. II you would
only begin half an hour earlier - ''' "a
"well.I will," interrupted Laura; $50
don't scold." ...
"T am not scolding," replied Middleton.
somewhat sharply.
at sounds much like It nevertheless" ro-
piled Laura. ma I|.g
"I only beg" he answered, dryly, "that
you will be ready to day. The carriage will
be at the door precisely at six." u1 H
"very WE'LL" said Laura; and her hus-
band took his hat and went Of for the morn
ing. .,......i r
Laura was one Of those persons who seem
to have no idea Of time, There are those
with whom It seems absolutely constitution.
al defect. and Laura was one Of them.
She seldom began to dress until the car
riage came to the door, always forgot hcr
notes and orders until the last moment, and
frequently neglected altogethter doing what
she should do until the proper moment was
past. o.. 20 h
Middleton, on the contrary, was punc.unl-
ity itself, and punctual people are seldom
patient. . m !
Hisparting words had scarcely died upon
Laura's ear before they had passed from her
mind, and she was busily engaged tending
her birds and inspecting her plants. While
she was still 30 occupied, the servant an.
nounced the carriage. : ~"
III did not order II untfl one." she replied.
"Tell tho coachman he is too early"
ut has just struck one, ma'am." replied
the man. .....- .r..I
"Is it possible" sho exclaimed. 81 had
no idea It was so late. Well, tell him to
return In an hours" and after dwindling
little longer over her flowers, she went up to
dress. Always dilatory in hor motions the
carriage was again at The door before she
was ready. Half an hour more elapsed.
She was going to pay bridal visit, and that
with one or two crrands, consumed the rest
Of the morning. She returnedquite late and
mtisued, and going 10 her dress
ing room. put on q wrapper, and taking
novel, threw herself on q sofa to repose and
refresh herself before she began her toilet for
Mrs Harris's. Being little tired and III.
lie amused, she "lay, taking her rest" very
comfortably. quite furgetful Of every thing
but her hook and the sofa, whom. suddenly
'he heard her husbands step. sod the next
moment the door opened and he entered the
dressing room. sT U s,t-u1a3D
"why. Laura, ,"he exclaimed. ".his is too
bad! Its half after Eve now" taking ou.
bis watch. ,scsl r-s -...., +, eii.,.i s.'. i
"Hslf-afssr 6vs!" she repeated. starting
rom tho cola. "oh. It can't be' Impossi.
bic !" = o' .'a '5eI' Z" +" ''r' |
Look" he replied. holding The watch
Iternly before her "aiioJ r1 b s5iyr
"wsll." she answered, Ego down stairs,
md will be ready In ten minutes. Il ncv
Al