Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-03-15
For he Spectator.
The Two Zones.
BY Myrtle.

A gorgeous sunset had cast b, ightness
over earth, reminding one of the holy radiance
shed from above around the death-bed Of IA
christian warrior, after he had fought the stern
battles Of lite amid heat and clouds; slowing
the all-triumphant faith the most glowing and
gorgeous at life $ close; the quiet grey Of even
ing followed as DIES the cain of christians
sleep. and then came the night fit, embem of
SORROW, with Its one lone star, too emblcmatical
OF faith in dense darkness.
Enter that stately mansion which rises to
view yonder n the dusky twilight Do not
fear those guards crouched so gracefully at the
entrance j; they are only marble. llfeless, SYM
bolical, we will say, of the inmates. At the
window looking westward upon all this depart
ing glory OF earth, stoud a woman In life
prime. She had every outline Of refnemen,
aud intelligence, and4her surroundings spoke If
wealth--but it was the sombre elegance that
leaves no sunlight in the sani. She seemed to
have partaken of the gloom, for there was not
gleam of happiness in her whole physique
she was no doubt once beautiful - but uEhap-
piEess Was now written upon every lineameDt.
There she stood in the twilight. wrapped in a
dream OF stolca Indifference as her husband eu-
tered He came in silently, sul!eniy, for he
felt Tor him mo eye grew brighter at his COM
ing" Her salu,arion is Mr.. Ray smond, is
that You? have been waiting for ynu-
of earth could just feel We women do some
times perhaps, you would be less sardy in your
return homewards
"Well, Lotte, could / feel for one time that
for any sake you desired my return, | assure
you il would be dtferent-!,us meet with 50
few smiles when do come and hear so many
reproaches. hat | find home anything but
pleasant | have learned to look for pleasure
in my business aud fud it, and even you sto-
ger where it is most pleasant
Yes, business, business, until the very
word sounds harshy.
'It could be different with us! | thought
of all this in my ride honleward tonight with
Mr. Eigar-h how different would be his recep-
t,on from mine. He taike not boas,ingiy Of
his wite-I don't remember him mentioning
her name-but there seemed such sparkle in
his eye when he spoke OF houe."
She did not retort, Only With tears-ior a awo-
ne. will weep under different cicuu,sia ances-
and she found suuthng balm IN tears tonight.
She was sullen and bit er, tor she felt that she
had been uisconstrucd III her earlier welded
ilie. Her trust in his love was aoonan
fai : perfect, and fearing no chu"ge Lut
death" She loved him yet, and she deter
| mined to WIN back the heart so dear to her
She ycarned for heart-home. They both sat
silently, both feeling their paths were converg
ing to misery We will leave this abode OF
gloom, ftr with all It's grandeur, unhappines>
fingers throughout; there Is no life, the heart
gives lite and here the hearf Is numbed-per-
haps when we resurn 1t nay be el,c lied by
the magnet OF love, and toiDcarauce then
we will Journey on iaucy wing to another
hUMe.
You see that sweet place On the hill yonder?
At window there too stands woman In life'>
priue yes, liz life prime although there Is
| not perfect out,ue OF contour, yet there Is
brg ghtness which tells OF heart at rest, an eye
which tells the soul Is alive to all tue beauty
with which this lite surrounds her
| She too looks aud waltz nntll at last the dear
familiar step Is heard-not laggard, but clear,
| iIugiug, io,uus echolng u home to come to
| She gives one glance around the room, sees all
| IN readiness CHAIR, slippers, gown, books AS
| he Tn err, his sa sutatlon Ii: My blessed VILE
| Don / You know this room has been dancing
| before me tor miles vii h It's coInfurt and cheer
fuluess? and don you know | telt you We're
the fairy that dl>pels all gloom?
They talk of the days TRANSACTIONS pleasantly,
each feeling dependent upon the other tor III
| teectual strength, and tor encouragement III
| all llte's troubles. She teels him her lord, he
| feel, she IS his peer-no scowis, no taunts, 10
desire for stronger pleasures, Tor they know
their paths are converting TO happiness.
In the cosy chamber of Mrs. Edgar the two
| friends-Lotte and Julia-have repaired for a
quiet talk -
Julia" said Mrs Raymond, II am mser-
able! | have determined this morning to fiud
out if can, the paDacea you have for all life s
iIls-there seems such brightness always on
your face-such conten,ed, satisfied air a
bout your husband that have almost conclu-
! l. cbo Vuu Wi hplr f,-
vorl,es. Pray tell me, have you any troubles?
i, Your mental sky always cioudieos OF l, 1t a
masked ct,eerfuness-teil me Tor | must know. y
'.Lottie, you are in earnest see, aud l will
speak earnestly. There can be no truer coup
le, written of the heart than this, That into
each life some rain must fall some days be
dark and dreary, but We are, as accountable
beings, 10 great extent the trainers OF our des-