Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-09-12
WILMINGTON DEL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER H. 1867

had evidently remained sound at heart in his
isolation; and now that he had Pennic to
trust him, love him, rely on him with all her
heart and mind, he could think quite calmly
of the wrong done him by the world at large.
The fierce anger and passion Of it were past,
and he could partakc himself now in all her
company at all the active, useful, common
place duties of life with much quiet satisfac
ton and pleasure.
Divers improvements were possible on his
property. Morning after morning found
him perambulating his woods and fields with
Roberts. Occasionally Pennie Of the party,
for she kept up her walking habits and her
riding every day, much as when she lived at
Eastwood. Though the evenings were spent
always alone, they were not tediously spent
Pennic was a bit of capital company TO her
husband She had read much for her age, and
could respond to good talk. 1t was not neccs-
sary to discuss with her none but purely
personal topics, and when it was necessary,
she could take a large and sensible view of
them. Her husband respected her for her
good sense as much as he loved her for her
loveableness, and he depended more on her
Judgment and exacted more from her time
than anybody but herself knew. 1t seemed
often as though he could decide and do moth
ing without her. Her inexperience left him
many opportunities of instructing her also,
and the way in which they were thrown on
their own resources at first, developed
community of tastes and sentiments, anu
lasting long ennugh to make this commune
ty enduring. In all Eskdale there was not
couple more easily or evenly yoked. As
weeks went ON, and Mrs. Croft's occasions
of studying her daughter increased, she ac-
knowlcdged to her gossips that she was per-
fcctly content for her as things were turning
out.
81 could not wish to see her better done
to, she assured the still doubling and fearing
Aunt Lister "She has all her own way,
and is real good little docile thing. Mr..
Tindal's wrapt up in her, but he's master
too, as man should be, in his own house.
If it should please God to clear him public
ly, then could die al. perfect ease in my
mind for her."
Divers advances, gradual but efiectual,
took place at Rood during the winter
months, and soon after the new year began,
Pcnnie had an unexpected treat vouchsafed
to her. NIillicent Forester, in reply to a
communication of hers, wrote and volun-
teered two days visit from herself and her
husband ON their way to Methley Towers,
and Mr.. Tindal gave his wife leave by all
means to accept it, if she wished. Pennie
was delighted beyound measure at the OPP
portunity and the permission. She longed
to see Millicent again on her own account,
and she believed that Millicents husband
was the man who, before all others, would
appreciate her own husband and become
his friend, if the chance were put in their
way.
The way proved that she was discerning,
and not too sanguine. The guests arrived
only half an hour before dinner, and there
was no interval for private talk, but when
the four met around the handsomely ap-
pointed and perfectly served table, a locker
on, in ignorance of their circumstances,
would never have imagined that there was
amongst them the shadow of shade. Tho
popular notion of house with skeleton
closet was not fulfilled at Rood that evening
The master was in his pleasantest, least re
served hunuur, and Michael Forester.
tacilurnity disappeared. Travcl-talk, once
begun, flowed eloquently and when Pen
ME carried off NIillicent to the drawing
room, the two gentlemen drew their chairs
to the fireside, and betook themselves tt
smoke and sociable conversation, such al
never joins except between men who feel in
tuitively that they shall suit.
When, after long waiting for, they cant
in to tea, Pennie perceived that the spcl
which had bound her husband was unloosed
He had tasted the exhilaration of masculine
: converse to good purpose, and she privatel,
resolved that ifshe could prevent il, he shoul'
not again retreat within himself. As mea
sure towards its prevention she invited Mr.
and Mrs. Featherstone to join their smal
. party the second evening. They expresse
themselves as glad to come, aad contributed
to its peasantness without any tokens Q
restraint. Mr.. Tindal had some of the bcs
qualities of popular host, only half develo
: ped, it is true, but the rector was well abb
to appreciate them in the germ, and hi
) round rosy wife was always proud and hal
n py to make new and desiarabl acquaintance
such as the Forresters.
= . These two days were ever after markc
u with white in Pennies memory. In TIL
: case, as in many others, ii was but the fir
: step that cost an effort. A return visit
the Lodge ensued, followed by week {
= Brackenfeld, which Pennie enjoyed exec
y siyely. Sir Andrew and Lady Goodwin wei
u stopping there at the same time, land the we
IL come given to Mr.. Tindal by the Huttc
family sufficiently proved to his wife that
:. distrust had been set aside amongst the
:. since he had become personally known
Millicent and Michael Forester The Soul
!. !, and the Dame treated him with sedulo
- =. care, that he might feel himself an honor
" guest and Uncle Christopher and Cous
:, Tom Nartineau found his society most a
y ceptabc relief 10 their own. Evcrybo
: pctted Pennic, and made Il point of assuri
:, her how much they liked him, and of COZ
!. mcndng her courage and perinacity
i, standing by her own opinion when nearly
=. the rest of the world was against her. A
-. everybody had Il word to add in his or
{. ~ own excuse, for having 50 long condemn
,,o him unhear. The sum OF all these pl.
=. was ignorance. g II we had only kno'
n. him, il we had only seen him, as we see II
~ know him now, we should never have
~ lieved him for II moment to be II guilty ma
"a, Pennies eyes used 10 fill as she listened
ter these tardy amends, and to say that
lty was sure the world would do her dear
,as thur right at last. Mr.. Tindal did not h
I'D any of the talk over his troubles, but he
, i, that the familiar shadow of dislike and ir
was withdrawn. Still, however, by habit
re- met the cordiality of his entertainers "
,ok distance But ii was Il distance that wo
m. decrease for his nature was decidedly IN