The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-04-01
#isefllany.
THE WAT 70 KEEP HIN.

Yes; have an engagement with
Moore; shall be in early have light
In the library; goodbye" And with
a careless nod William Hayse left the
room.
always the way" murmured Liz
zie Hayse, sinking back upon a sofa.-
"Out every night. don't believe he
cares one bit about me now, and yet
we have only been married two years.
No man can have more orderly
house, and / never go anywhere. 1
am not a bit extravagant, and yet
don't believe he loves me ~ more
o, dear! why is it? wasn't rich he
did not marry me for my money, and
he must have loved me then. Why
does he treat me with SO much neg
lect ?" And with her mind filled with
such frightful queries, Lizzie Hayse fell
asleep on the sofa.
Let me paint her picture as she lay
there. She was blonde, with small
graceful figure, and very pretty face.
| The hair which showed by its rich
waves its natural tendency to curl, was
brushed smoothly back and gathered
into rich knot at the back, it was
"such bother to curl it," she said
her cheek was pale, and the whole face
wore discontented expression. Her
dress was neat chintz wrapper, but
she wore neither collar nor cuffs
What's the use of dressing up just for
William 2"
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours,
and then awoke suddenly. She sat up,
glanced at the prospect of the long in
terval still to be spent before bedtime.
The library was just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace
flue, and down through the register
came a voice to the young wife's ears;
it was her husbands:
"Well, Moore, what's man to do /?
was disappointed, and 1 must have
pleasure somewhere. Who would have
fancied that LizZe Jervis, SO pretty,
sprightly and loving could change to
the fretful dowdy she is Who wants
to stay at home to hear his wife whin-
ing all the evening about her servants,
and her headache, and all sorts of both
er? She's got the knack of that drawl-
ing whine SO pat, 'pon my life l don't
think she can speak pleasantly"
Lizzie sat as if stunned. Was this
true? She looked in the glass. If not
exactly dowdy, her costume was GER
tainly not suitable for an evening, with
only William to admire. She arose
and softly went to her room with bit
ter, sorrowful thoughts, and firm res
olutlon to win back her husbands |
heart and then, his love regained, TO
keep it.
The next morning William came in |
to the breakfast room with his usual |
careless manner, but bright smile |
came on his lips as he saw Lizzie. A |
pretty chintz, with neat collar and
cuffs of snowy linen, with q wealth of /
soft, full curls, had really metamor-
phosed her; while the blush her hus- I
bands admiring glance called up to her
cheek, did not detract from her beauty.
AT first William thought there must
pe guest, but glancing around he
found they were alone.
Come, William, your coffee will
soon be cold," said Lizzie, in cheer
ful, pleasant tone.
1t must be cold till you sweeten my
breakfast with kiss,r said her hus-
band, crossing the room to her side;
and Lizzie's heart bounded as she re-
cognized the old lovers tone and man.
ners.
Not one fretful speech-not one COM
plaint fell upon Williams ear through
the meal. The newspaper, the usual
solace at that hour, lay untouched, vas
Lizzie chatted gayly on every pleasant
subject she could think of, warming
by his grateful interest and pleasing
manner.
"You will be home at dinner?n she
asked as he went out.
Can't to-day, Lizzie; have busi-
ness out of town, but will be home
early to tea. Have something SUBJ
stantial for l don't expect to dine
Goodbye, and the smiling look, warm
kiss, and lively whistle, were marked
contrast to his lounging, careless gait
the previous evening.
II am in the right path" said Liz
zie, in low whisper. "Ob! what a
fool have been for two wears! "A
fretful dowdyp William, you shall
never say that again.
Lizzie loved her husband with a real
wifely devotion, and her lips would
quiver as she thought of his confidence
to bis friend Moore; but like a brave
little woman, she stified back the bit
ter feelings, and tripped off to perfect
her plans. The grand piano, silent for
was opened, and the linen
covers taken from the furniture, Lizzie
thinking
g He shan't find any parlor more at
tractive than his own, / am determin-
ed"
Tea time came, aud William came
with it. A little figure, i'm a tasty
bright silk dress, smooth curls, and oh.
suck lovely blush aud smile, stood
ready to welcome him when he came
In and tea time passed as the morn
ing meal had done. After tea there
was no movement as usual toward the
rack. William stood up beside the ta-
ble, lingering, chatting, till Lizzie also
rose. She led him to the light warm
parlors, in their pretty glow of tasteful
and drew him down be
side her on the sofa. He felt as if he
was courting again, as he watched her
delicate fingers busy with some little
needle-work, and listened to the cheer
full voice he had loved Sd dearly two
years ago.
What are you making, Lizzie ?,'
A pair of slippers. Dent you re-
member how you admired the pair /
worked for you, oh I! ever SO long
ago."
al remember; black velvet with
flowers on them. / used to put NV
feet on the tenders and dream of blue
eyes and bright curls, and wished time
would move faster to the day when l
could bring my bonnie wife home, to
make music in my house.
Lizzie's face saddened for a moment,
at 1.-THE thought of the last two years, l.
N, lffl<, he 1,a1 4. g..
his loving heart, gradually wesning it
from its allegiance. Then she said-
wonder If you love music as much
as. you did then?"
"Of course / do. l often drop iH at
Mis-. Smiths for nothing else than to
hear the music"
81 can play and sing better than
Mrs. smith," said Mzze, half poeting.
But YOU always say you are cut of
practice when 1 ask you"
. had the piano tuned this morn
ing. Now open it and we will see how
it sounds"
William obeyed joyfully, and tossing
aside her sewing, Lizzie took the piano
stool. She had very sweet voice, not
powerful, but most musical, and wa. a
fair performer on the piano.
Ballads, Lizzie"'
"Oh, yes! know you dislike opefa
music i'm a parlor-"
One song after another, with a noe
turne or lively instrumental piece oeca-
sionally between them, filled up ano-
ther hour pleaiantly.
The little mantle clock struck eleven.
Eleven! / thought it about nine.
| ought to apologize, Lizze, as | used
to do for stayipg SO long; and can