Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-04-26

locked up in my soul, but aching there with
slow, steady pain, which was At all times con-
seous Of, the one black cloud on the horizon
Of my life. am older and wiser now, but
was young and less self-relient then, and
there mingled something ofawe with the deep,
yearning tenderness which filed my heart for
my husband, Howard Dunbar.
He was ten years my senior, 50 much wiser,
and better, and higher than |, whose life had
just slipped Of it, teens, that it vas still
daily wonder with me, that Of all the women
in the world should have been chosen 10 sit
in the shelter Of tina. heart, brave and strong
% 1 man's should defender and loving as
womans.
I had been an orphan from my earliest re-
memberance, but an invalid aunt had adopted
me into her heart and home, and been to me
what most fathers and mothers are not to their
children.
My life had been sheltered from all storms,
and blossomed into womanhood in quiet and
healthful atmosphere. was naturally studi>
ous, and my aunt had INDUCED my tastes 10
the utmost limit Of her means, for these were
small although sufficient to support us com
fortably, and she had me fitted c,refully for q
teacher. But teforc was twenty-on and at
the close Of the Summer in which l graduated
the pulmonary disease, which, for score Of
years, had made my aunt an invalid, devel-
ored itself with fearful rapidity. The grass
Of the Summer had not been shriveled by the
breath Of Autumn when its low, green roof
was built over her; and looking on it in the
first agony OF my grief, almost wished that
another had been made beside it.
But excrtion at once became necessary for
me. My aunt's small property was nearly
consumed. There was on old friend Of her
husband at the West, whom my uncle had
been able to serve in his youth, and my aunt e
last letter had solemnly coniied me to the
gentleman's care, with fervent entreaty that
he would use his influence to procure me n
situation in some seminary as teacher Of those
branches for which my tastes and education
qualified me.
The latter brought me reply which little
anticipated. II happened that the SON Of my
uncle's old friend was at that time in New
York, and thinking lie might have some op-
portunitics TO serve me. my aunt's letter was
forwarded TO him.
The week following its reception Howard
Dunbar came to my country home. He was a
lawyer, an accomplished Scholar and what is
more and better than this, a true Christian
gentleman.
lie was my friend from the beginning, and
with my small knowledge Of the world was
very glad and grateful for his advice and
assistance. lie settled my aunt's affairs, and
did not 50 West, as he procured for me de-
lightful position in the seminary of friend Of
his, where my duties, without bsing arduous,
were remunerative.
remained in the seminary only a year
Howard Dunbar playfully said that he had
my instructions and left my classes to take
my place in his home his wife, happy and
dearly beloved
Those six months of my welded life had been
fair as the blossoming Of lilies in mountains,
amid the song Of birds and the sweet spices
Of Summer winds, and fear often trembled
over my soul that this great earthly love around
my life might come between that mightier
Love whose infinite tenderness has rights to
which all others must yield-which stands
slone in its gifts and its claims Then the
shadow fell spon me. Il was in this wise:
ihs third day Of my husbands absence
had gone out to purchase the trimmings Of
dressing gown which had intended to pre-
pare as a surprise on his return, when over
heard brief conversation between two ladies
IS stood by the counter examining . card of
buttons. Ihad glanced up IS the ladies en-.
tered just after l did. They wele tall and
we'll dressed. That was all the discovery l
made before returned to my business. The
was carried on in an undertone,
but no word escaped me. although did not at
the time realize that was listening.
uDo you know who that lady is p asked one
Of the ladies Of her companion.
"No; do your
aShc is the wife Of Howard Dunbar
"Is il possihle2'
There was brief pause, during which
felt the ladies we're giving me the benefit Of
an exam uation, which embraced the bows on
my bonnet and extended 10 the braid on the
skirt Of my dress.
"what young, girlish face! Dc you sup
pose she knows anything about that shocking
affair ?" pursued one Of the ladies in . voice Of
every likely not The matter ives hushed
up, ysu know, aud afterwsrd went west to his
father. met him, the other day on the street
for the first time since his RETURN"
II should Mt think he would want to show
his face here added the other.
"How did he manage 70 escape?'
10, money, and the influence Of his fathers
family did it."
The conversation was abruptly terminated
here. for the clerk brought forward the goods
which he had been in quest Of, and left the
store 4 little later with chill Of doubt and
upon me.
What wvs there in the life Of my husband
hat he dared not tell % the wife or his youth |
what dsed had no been guilty Of that linked
Ais name With disgrace, and made her who
Aad-hcsns it with such mingled pride and hu>
n ,a:s I'm - -. ~ .Are = ~orsl "