Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-09-12
p III.
CHAPTER III.
AT HOME AT ROOD ABBEY.

to Eskdale from their marriage tour on the
Continent, the leaves were changing and
falling. October had begun, and an carly
shower of snow marked the day of their
coming home. There had been some talk of
spending the winter in Italy but the incli-
nation of both was rather towards the Alb
hey, and while they were still hesitating,
little complaint of loneliness from Mayfield
turned their decision in favor of England.
The church bells had been set a-ringing by
the clerk on his wn responsibility, but no
display of garlands or flags had been prepar-
ed to welcome them to the Abbey for Mr..
Tindal had intimated to Mr.. Roberts that he
desired NO greater demonstration to be made
over bringing his young wife home than
had been made over carrying her away.
Pennie missed nothing. 1t was dusk when
they arrived and as her husband conducted
her into the pretty green drawing-room,
where once, in her maiden days, she had
visited him in his ailiction, she looked as
bright, as happy, and as complacent as it
was possible for woman to look and with
the utmost chccrfulncss she said: "Oh, l
am glad to be at home! And, Arthur, this
is so charmingly homclike.'
| "You will make II real home of ii once
more, Pennie," responded he, and kissed
her
When she went upstairs to her own room,
she found a perfect bower of comfort and
elegance, with window looking over to
Mayfeld and the moors, and another com
passing the shady twilight garden. There
were many signs about it that her TASTES had
been studied and considered The pictures
on the walls were sunny, the carpet and
drapcrcs were of light and lively tints.
Pennie had no love for sombre splendour;
she preferred that inanimate things should
wear cheerful aspect around her, and ap-
pear fresh, unlimited. She thanked Mr..
Tindal for his thoughtfulness in pretty way
she haG d S thanking him for everything, as
if she were but a loving pensioner on his
bounty, He let her do it, since it pleased
and often with his lips he acknowledged, that
her unsclfish, tender affection was recon-
pense for all, and more than ALL he could
lavish ON her.
A very decided and visible improvement
had been wrought in him already by her
companionship. They dned alcnc, and as
he stood on the hearth in the drawing room
afterwards, talking to her, ensconced in a
low chair with an Indian screen held up be-
tween her face and the fire, she became her
self, inr the first time, fully aware of its eX-
tent. Perhaps seeing her there in his own
!. house, and realizing the fact that she was
!, there for life, completed the charm. o!
how foIlorn and ouicast had he felt in that
very spot for days, and weeks, and months
togethers But now his air was satisfied and
selfposscssed; his visage was healthy and
open; his whole appearance that of a vigor-
o,ls, active. minded gentleman, in love with
: his wife, at case with himself, and not al
: variance with the rest of the world He
was feeling strangely content and exhiarat
= ed that night No stranger would ever have
conjecturcd how long he had lain under {
> ban--tlial he lay under it in one sense still
= with time and patience 1t would wear away
:, The iancinl distresses that had beset he
= before her marriage had dwindlcd TO shad
= :, ows in the full present light of her happi
!, ness, and she had no fear that they woult
y hver resume their former solid proportions
She was prepared to face her little worl'
bravcly, and to stand to il that she was al
: ready justified in casting in her lot with his
: : and no one regarding her could deny tina
she carried the tokens Of justification in he
cheerful countcnance.
~ Midway lie next morning, while she wa
N walking about the garden with her husband
consulting over prulings and clearing of tn
lar Strawberries, long left in the wild luxurianc
10 of nature, Mrs. Croft made her appearance
i, summoned by few lines from Pennie, DIES
patched to Mayiiell after breakfast MI
"a Tindal gave his mothcr-in-law cordial rt
ception, which she was surprised into reciT
=, rocating with considerable warmth, betraye
thereto by the bright and favourable aspet
!; of her daughter.
!, "Thcrc is no need to ask how you d.
i, Pennie,' said she, kissing her. never sa'
you look better, and one may tell you're ,
;. happy as the days long moi that the day
y is so very lQns now. Yon have stayed ava
~, until the hest Of the. year is over. Thcl
was II homie show of flowers here in II
=, summer.
IN There was still IL few out, vivid scarl
u. and rich lurpl,s, but yellow leaves we
,o showcred thick amongst them. and Il
branches overhead were becoming har
l.. There was beauty, however, yet in the o
-. garden, with lis yews and cedars, and gloss
~. leaves hollies and laulcls: and Pcnnie repli
h. to her mother thai She should still have sol
pleasure III il before winter arrived NJ
:. :" Tinda presently left them together ~
they retreutcd to the drawing room for o
y, of those long two-handed chats which /
~. widow So dearly delighted in.
"You and Mr.. Tindal look and talk Ii
two happy young folks beginning life in
world of which neither Of you knows Al
thing amiss," said she, as soon AIS she W
comfortably seated near the fire. Il do
,ih, understand IT,"
,irl, ''Nor quite" responded Pennc. II
mi it is true, we are happy
the '.And he is really good Ia You, and ,
the don't regret what you have donc:'
der Regret it? Not indeed ! have ne
ion. had II thought of regret.
on "Thank God for IT. I've had my dor
and we've all had our doubts that il might
I TO be so, Pennie, love; for it was u drcat
He risk, as your Aunt Lister saidi and she
.ide. the family credit at heart, though she WI
larly Dobbie born"
liam g don't think she need be anxious
re Il the family credit, mother Opinions
change"