Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-10-16
aid, Have you an abundance of pocket

Yes; why do you ask ?''
Il was afraid you had not Here are for
ty-elght dollars and sixty-fve cents, just half
the ready money | have out of bank but
shall have some more soon, and will then
pay you your share.
Il do not need it, Frank I have -"
He did not remain for me to finish the SEN
tence, but placing the money on the table
went out in his usual manner. Was he Of
Tended? could not tell.
At the tea table said, Il wish to go on
the street this evening. Can you go with
me ?"
Certainly, if you can go sooD"
ran up to my room, and hurried on my
wraps as quickly as possible, and then, with
my over shoes in my hand, went back to the
parlor, aud sat down beside him, as usual,
to have him put them on and button them
for me. But he seemed to have forgotten
| that he had ever done such a thing, and dis
dainlng to ask as favor, what | had ever
considered as a right, | pulled until | was
purple In the face, L am sure, and then near
ly blistered my fingers with the buttons that
he could have managed so easily. But l
was ready at last, and we walked down the
street, he talking in his usual manner, and
ready to cry with vexation and outraged
feeling.
by Furnishing me like wayward child, he
will find out his mistake, L said to myself,
as We went on our way.
As We came opposite his office door, he
said, pleasantly, How tar are you going,
Nelly?"
ITO Kings, for some muslin for Aunt
Julia
We'll, take good care Of yourself" and
he turned to enter the Office.
Are you not going with rne?''
Il have not time. Business before pleas
ure, you know" And he hurried up the
steps, leaving me standing mute with as
constituent
What did he mean? Was he going crazy?
| had never been in the streets before alone
at night, and my first impulse was to follow
him. But no, [ would not ask him to pro-
tect me, when he had sworn to do SO and
| buried on to the store, few blocks dis
tant, where | called for silk instead of mus
lin, corrected my mistake when fabric was
produced, selected the article without regard
to texture, told the clerk L wanted iorty-
eight yards and sixty-five cents, and when
he went for another piece told him [ had
forgotten and only wanted four yards, and
finished my errand by offering a visiting
card instead of bank-note in payment
Covered with confusion, | took up my
package, left the store, and with rapid steps
reached home, where, in my Own room, |
could yield to the storm of grief and pas
sion that almost convulsed me. | had sense
enough lett not to go to Aunt Julia tor sym
pathy, and in my room, alone, | waitedsmy
husband 5 return. The husband who had
ouce been 50 kind and loving, but was now
so cod and forgetIul. But he should not
punish me in this manner, [ told myself
j T., Il IL 7
IA woman, and not child And SO, when
ed with each other as we had done through
all those wretched weeks, for Aunt Julia
was to go tomorrow.
At the breakfast table she said, Il should
like much, Nelly, TO have you return with
me The family would be overjoyed to see
you.
looked at my husband
''Wh hat is to hinder?'' be said absently.
DO you wish me TO go, Frank ?"
Perhaps the tone was reproachful. | did
not intend it to be; but his eyes sought
mr.le for an instant, and his lips quiyered a
little.
Yes, if it will give you pleasure
He is anxious to he rid of me, though hit,
and replied, Then / will CO." And L
turned my head away to hide the tears that
CouIc
1t was only three hours ride on the cars,
aud [ could be ready at once So had no
excuse. But, really, L did not want to go.
The thought that my husband had ceased to
care for me, that he would not miss me, was
agony. One word of tenderness, one hiut
that he wanted me, and my aunt would have
gone alone. But 1t did not come, and at
the proper hour we were at the depot.
Have you taken your tickets ?' my hus-
band asked, as the moment for departure
''No, | replied.
Shall purchase them for you?''
s'What an idea Yes
When he returned with them, he gave
my aunt hers, with bow, and then placing |
mine in my hand, said, in low voice
Yours is three dollars and fifty cents but
do not mind about the change now we can |
settle it as well when you return"
! looked in his face, but nothing but the
cold, business expression met my gaze, and
with spasm of mental agony, L turned to
studying the characters on my ticket, that !
might have been Chinese hieroglyphlcs for
all of any idea they conveyed to my brain.
w hen do you propose to return! ne
asked me, when he had bidden my aunt i
good by
''In week, if you want me, Frank. "
Il always want you, Nelly, or [ should
never have asked you to become my wife.
He took my hand, held it an instant looked
wistfuly in my facet would go back, L
thought but the wheels were already IN
motion, and he hurried away, leaving me
to my own bitter thoughts. Back in my |
old home, the JOY OF my unexpected return
made ali SO happy, that for day or two,
partly forgot the shadow resting on my
heart. But when the novelty had passed.
the old restlesSness returned, and one day my
e., tlar O,rnr;Sad mo IN taarc