Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-23


had he loved Margy2 What had been the
quality of his love? Never before had such
questions intruded themselves; never before
had he found queries so difficult to answer
A deep sigh attested his disappointment in
this investigation.
q don't know whether to be angry or CRATE
full, he said, knitting his brows. Is it true or
a false mirror you arc holding up before me ?
Is the spectrum, growing more and more dis
tinct, an image Of MYSELF l am in doubt
and confusion"
Glove is a giver," answered his friend, "does
not think of itself-desircs only to bless. If
you have so loved Marcy, then has she wrong
ed you. But if you have thought mainly Of
yourself, of your own delight, then, trow, the
dear little woman was not SO far wrong, when
she called you selfish"
"The thing is certain" said Williston,
speaking sobcrly, 81 take pleasure in giving
her pleasure Any want that she might ex-
press, would crafty if in my power. l
could not deny her anything.
Except the denial of yourself" remarked
the friend
Their eyes met and they looked intcntly at
each other for some moments.
Il am not sure that understand you, said
Williston.
"If Marcy wanted set of Amoor sables,
costing a thousand dollars, and you had the
money with which to buy them, her desire
would be gratifed."
Undoubtedly. l would find pleasure in
meeting her wishes, was promptly answered.
"If she had fancy for diamonds, or India
shawls-for elegant furniture and pictures
and you had the means to crafty her tastes,
you would find delight in giving her the pos
session of these things. You would let her
have her own sweet will in everything.
you have said it, my friend. Nothing
pleases me so much as to see her gratihed."
"No great sef-denial in all this, however,
In the case supposed, You are entirely able to
give what Marcy asks for, and no special love
of money comes to chill your ardor. 1t is the
easiest thing in the world TO meet her wishes.
But let US take some other case. There Is to
be a musical party at our friend Watson's.-
You care but little for music, and less for musi-
cal people. The case is different with Marcy.
With music and musical people she is in her
element. You come with new book from a
favorite author, promising yourself an even
iug's enjoyment in reading aloud to your wife
She meets you with face aglow, and in her
hand a note Of invitation from the Watson s.
1t will be such q delightful timeW she ex-
claims, in her enthusiasm. Now comes the
true test Of your loye-now its quality must
stand revealed. If she had known about the
new bool, and the pleasure you had promised
yourself in reading aloud to her through the
evening, | am sure she would have sent a note
of excuse to the Watson's, and cheerfuly de-
nicd herself, for your sake, the delights Of a
musical evening. But, knowing nothing oi
this, she let fancy rcvcl in anticipated enjoy
ment and docs not think, perhaps, Of your
musical taste. Thus stands the case, my friend
J and how will you meet it? In the other case
it was the generous hand that gave Of its a
bundancc. Now it is sheer self-denial"
Williston drew heavy sigh, moved himself
restlessly, and looked down upon the floor
"This love that we talk so much about" ," re-
10 sumed his friend, 3" it is a subtle thing and We
ry apt to hide from us its true quality. 1t il
much oftencr love of self, than love Of the OBJ
iect sought Hence, we have 50 much unhap
piness in the state Of marriage which on tn
theory Of mutual love, ought to be full o.f bliss
But am using time that cannot well be spared
to day, so good morning. If Marcy has don
YOU wrong, help her to see it, and she'll no
i only apologize for calling you selfish, but co
yer your lips with penitent kisses
: The case supposed touched the difficulty a
its very core. Since Wilistons marriage, h
had shown himself gifted with a feeble spiri
=, of self-denial. He enjoyed his home an'
his wife, but not in a generous spirit. She wa
i more social, and her tastes had received bet
ter cultivation She enjoyed music aud art in
tensely. Her soul responded lovingly to al
things beautiful. After his friend left him
Wilston, in the new light that had penetra
u ted his mind, began to see the relation Of ex
isting aspects. One little incident after ano
ther was called up from memory, and review
j cd. and he saw in them, as 10 a mirror, an i'm
c age Of himself, 50 different from any before pre-
sented that he was filled with pain aud sur
prise. Such thing as self-denial had scarce
u " come within the range Of bis virtues. Sell
denial be had exacted often. 1t had been n
unusual thing for Marcy to defer her tastean
wishes to his aud he could think Of many ca
ses in which she must have done 50 at consid
is cradle sacrifice offeeling.
= 4 new sentiment began to pervade the min
.i Of Williston; a deeper and tcndercr feeling ic
Is his young wife; and in this new sentiment b
: had perception Of something purer aud lu
D, Ter Of JOY than anything hitherto experienced
the JOY Of giving up even bis iifes love for al
u other.
S. Dear Marcy" he said speaking TO himse
1t in this state. The tramp Of my hecdless io'
Is must have been very crushing to have extorte
n that CRY Of pain-for your chargeof selfishnc!