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

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN a b
AND AN NJ
BY VIRGINIA y. TOWNSEND.

ADADAv - -
AND AN NJ
NJ VIRGINIA Y. TOWNSEND.
"Augusta, cons and sit down here by me,
and let mo look at you. Somehow it don't
seem a. though you we're very glad to see me
back r. as 89 @N
"Howardr' exclaimed dcpreciatingiy, and
hurrying away from the closet where had
gone to prepare some sandwiches, with plate
Of them in one hand and cup Of jelly in the
other, don't look - though was glad TO see
you,' setting down the dishes on the table,
and wheeling it toward him; land aren't those
! solid and substantial conformation Of nv
look" pointing to the table.
My face received attention before the sand
wiches did. The deep, steady eyes searched
it all over with the tender smile in them which
slways made my heart tremulous with joy,
and yet ]ss conscious that the JOY this time
had its alloy. Far down in my heart was
pain, hidden 70 deep that it did not touch my
smile, even 70 the watchful eyes which search
ed it with slances made discerning BY affec-
ton.
My husband had been absent for . week in
Philadelphia. Business Of an imperative ma
ture had summoned him from home for the
first time since our marriage, six months be-
fore. This separation had seemed in the per-
spec,ivc of the future trial could hardly
endure. Certainly my love for my husband
Howard Dunbar, had suffered no change nor
abatement during his absence, and yet when
he kissed me ON his return there was . pain
and shadow on my heart which were not
there when be bade ME he Of good comfort, and
left me.
"It seems good to be here again." continued
Howard, stroking my hair in his old fashion,
and knew how much ground the simple
words covered, and | looked up at him rs he
sat in his armchair in his dressing gown, and
the slippers where every green leaf and red
blossom Of embroidery had been stitched with
loving thoughts Of him.
"And it seems good to have you back again,
sized my tones and Howard felt them.
He smiled at me. Strangers said that the
smile Of Howard Dunbar was sweet as a wo>
mans; and what was it to me, his wife, to
whom it was given with its whole significance
and into whose expression there entered ele-
mcnts witch were always left out TO all other
persona?
''Are you satisfied now, Howard; and won't I
you let the sandwiches divide your attention
with me? | shall not be jealous Of then,.''
Il forgot that was hungry seeing you, Au-
gusta, although was strongly conscious Of il
during the last hour Of my ride in the cars,
aud he turned to the table. "What have you
got here?'
Sandwiches, and your favorite currsnt
jelly, which latter made myself"
'.How beautiful it is!' holding up the glass
cup, and turning it round till . sunbeam
caught the "quaking tumuli," and it glowed
like one immense carbuncle.
"what fine color that is, Augusta-just
the tint Of old Flemish wine! How it shines
and sparkles! always like to make ourrant
jelly tributary to two senses
So do ], unless happen to be very hungry
when the lower senses has the larger share of
enjoyment. Come, Howard, that's ministered
to your nsthetcally quite long enough"
land now it shall palstably," laughed my
husband, breaking apart sandwich and dip
ping his spoon into the glowing island of jelly.
"what made you say that did not seem
glad to see you Howard?' asked, for the
wsrds lad startled and still troubled me; and
though Sssrcd 70 prsbe them my curiosity
teiumphed.
-l Il don't know really" breaking sandwich
tie second. Something in the tones or man.
ner must have suggested the remark. l had
been locking forward for The last twenty -four
hours to oseeing you and probably got my fan
cies keyed up to a little more dcmonstrative
reception than got"
"Don't, Howardi' exclaimed involuntarily
and Vas startled myself At the pain in my
tones, for this time it crcpt right out Of my
heart
Ny husband turned quickly. "Doa't mind
what said Augusta" and the solicitude in
bis voice was answered by his face, Il was
nistaken, you see. Can't you forgive me?"
I've nothing to forgive, Howard I an
swcrsd, siipping my fingers through the bright
short hair; for this time saw farther than he
did, and that his frst intuition had touched
closer to the truth sban he supposed.
He ahoek his head ~Ihas sounded un-
mistaksbiy sad, Augusta. what can 10 with
such little mimosa as you arer'
'Never speak Of it again." managing to
mask my face into sufficiently bright smile
sow, and Howard returned to sandwich the
third, having made the discovery that he was
hungry for the second time.
Iwatehed him for little while and then he
laid. down his knife and looked ct me with
tender, solemn thought beaming id his eyes.
"AugustA, We havlgreat reason to BE- hum>
ble sdd'thantful. How good God has been to
Us, to bring " together once morer =
81 know II, Howard" The pain in my heart
hushed BY the thought ~ loving rsmembrance
Of Him huahe4or softens all pain. "How good
He is-how u6erateful We arer' -.
"There wss thank Offering to Him in those
words Augusta" and then We both sat very
e