The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-07

tied maid was putting away the hat and
scarf in the wardrobe, looking sideways,
with keen, questioning eye at her mis-
tress, whose strange paleness and cold
eyes alarmed her. She whispered to Bes-
sic, as she passed her
ssWhat is the matter Mrs. Maull2 Mrs.
Field has not spoken word since she
came in
ooh, it is not so bad as we thought
Belle sobbed Bessie. "They are bring
ing him home. Uncle Hale thinks he
can save him. Come, Katie, let us help
Mrs Field get the bed ready. Mr.. Field
is badly hurt and will be here soon.'
Belle did not even then give up; with
dry eyes she summoned the servants, gave
orders, arranged the bed, had hot and
cold water prepared, ice and bandages
ready, and Bessie was tender, fearful
little help to her. Presently they heard
the slow rumble of wheels, then the heavy
cropping steps of men carrying a dead
weight through the hall and up the stair
case, and whispers of take care, mind
the turn, that's right and Fred Field
was laid upon his bed, half dead bodyl
The room was cleared; even Bessie. who
wished to do everything, was taken out,
but the pale, quiet wife whose hands were
lev, it is true, but so very steady that she
could give efficient helplto Uncle Hale in
his painful work, was the only one retain
ed by him, for DR.. Hale loved Belle dear
ly, and understood her better than any
one in her husbands family.
Days of great danger followed, when
life just fickered on the lips; but Fred
Field was strong man, and nature came
swiftly to his rescue. A fortnight after
the horrible accident which had brought
him so near death, he opened his eyes on
Belle, who stood beside him with face
that seemed gazing out of cavern.
II have had tough tussle for life, have
I not Belle? he said, in weak whisper,
as he drew her haggard face down to his
with trembling grasp. Belle could not
speak; she tried to smile, kissed him and
smoothed his pillow; Fred turned his
head over to the cool place, and thought,
almost said aloud
"Thank Heaven! Belle is not tragic
woman. IF she were to make scene
over me- now, | believe it would kill me;
but her GOODNESS and silence will build q
fellow up"
He looked at his wife gratefully, and
was lulled back into a sweet, restoring
sleep, by the coel touch of her steady
hands on his aching brow and face,as she
renewed the wet cloths and administered
silently to his comfort. Nor did Belle
Field break down when the danger was
over, as the Doctor and Fred feared
Such women rarely do. They go on.bear
ing crisis after crisis, until some day a
mid-life, when everything is calm abou
them, each one sitting down to enjoy tht
harvest of youth, while overlooking tht
coming young ones planting their life
felds-then heart trouble springs up, ;
mysterious come and go, Of the pulses
and the strong, steady mother and wife
who had borne like sturdy oak so many
blows that even those who had loved hel
most tenderly thought her immortal ant
vulnerable-suddenly fails, sinks dowl
before them and is gone, leaving voic
no human being can fill to her family.
We shall not follow Belle Field to tina
period Of her life. Maybe it,never came
| We fancy not, for Fred was very careful o
her, in all their long future. This peril
Gus accident had discovered to both tn
hidden springs of each others character
A true respect and even thankfulness 70
Bellies reserved, self contained natur
sprang up in Fred's head and heart, ,whil
| a thrilling appreciation of Fred's fer,
spirit pulsed through her. There neye
was any explanation; once, and once only
did Fred allude to the past. 1t was ON
evening when they were out driving-th
second annidersary of the sweet. June da
of their bridal. W
"Just two years, Belle, said Fred, a
he reiued up Judge at the summit of
little hill, to look at a glorious sunset
tJust two years, wife, and whatever W
might have felt this time last year, d
not think either of US would undo
now.
Judge started forward pace or two,
fly had stung him,and Belle, e,ghastly pale
lgasped out
"Oh, Fred never speak of that again
] Fred looked away, and drove on in 81
lence for awhile. The first words h
zlspoke were very practical.
'.How well the fields are looking. w
lshaIl have fine harvest." 9i
| But when he reached home, and lifte
his wife out,on the door steps, there, j
sight of the sileut stars, and the cool still
moss of the vine covered gallery, wit
June roses and blossoms pouring out
Ilibaticn of odor around them, Fred hel
Belle for an instant close to his heart, lift
ed her calm fair face to his, and kisse
her without saying, a word; then husban
and wife entered their beautiful home, AN
met life and the world with as firm fait
land trust in each other as if they ha
exhausted hours of poetical explanation
and morbid scenes of forgiyings and re
pentings.
| DEATH OF KING LEoPoLD.-Leopolt
King of Belgium, died few days sine
at the age of seventy-fve. He was on
of the oldest and shrewdest of Europe
an monarchs. He has been to some ez
tent mixed up in the Mexican scheu
with Louis Napoleon, and furnished Max
imilian with the Belgian contingent