The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-09-01

one present to break the monotony Of
the conjugal tete-a.tete, and he was our
old acquaintance. Howard Leigh.
81 do wish, Frank. you would't keep
drumming with your fingers on that
mantle; it makes me nervous, but of
course you do not care for that" eX-
claimed Mrs. Tracy, petulantly.
II beg your pardon, my love; l was
not aware that 1 was annoying YOU"
"Why don't the servant bring up the
chocolate 2" pursued Mrs. Tracy, ele
waiting her eyebrows.
"Shall l ring and inquirer
"No, it isn't worth while. If we
had only remained in Ia belle Paris,
where the servants understand their
business"
"Then you preferred Paris as q resi-
dence." said Leigh.
ooh, by all means, but Frank never
conld be conten.ed there, 1t is the
most absurd whim Of his, returning to
America"
"You forget. Lconorc,' said Frank,
somewhat gravcly, "that America is
honew
Mrs. Tracy tossed her head and
took refuge in q bottle Of smelling
salts. Her husband turned carclessly
to Leigh and resumed the conversation
that her potulancc had disturbed,
81 haven't asked yet whether my old
acQuaintances, the Waltons, are living
or dead. You have not forgotten my
penchant for the beautiful baby
ooh, the Waltons disappeared long
ago flom the current of New York life.
Walton failed, or something--blew his
brains out, believe. Mrs. Walton
died of broken heart. In Belle was
sent, ] understood, to en- orphans asy-
lum; she hiss already sproutcd up into
a gawky, rcd-haired woman"
Tracy was silent moment, coutcm-
plating upon the sad facility with which
slip the cares and memories of their
friends in the whirl Of large cities.
All at once the door was opened, AID
two or three rosy little children bound
ed into the room, with long shining
hair on their white shoulders, and eyes
all in sparkle with infanti'e merri
ment.
"Don't come near me, you noisy lit
tie monsters" lisped Loonore, waving
them away with her snow, jcwelcd
hand; "you'd crush my silks and laccs
ruinously"
No word OF rcproof, however, fell
from Frank Trscy's lips, as the little
ones climbed Oh his knee and hung
around his neck. These children were
the sunshine OF life; lie endured his
wife, bu. he idolizcd his children.
"?oor Tracy; it's quite evident he
is not happy said Leigh, thai evening
as he was taking his case within his
home circle. "That wife of his is
enough to drive man distracted. !
woLder be don't commit suicide
And so come days afterwards, when
the cudden death CT Mrs. Tracy was
announced in the ncwspapcrs-ailment,
disease Of the heart-hs fret thought
Wss--
"What lucky thing for Frank"
1t vas scarceiya year after Mrs. Ira
cyl dece.se, and the widower was sit
ting alone in bis study, when Howard
Leigh was announced.
"WclI, ny dear friend" was his
smiling salutation, "what rews do you
briag meg"
"Capitsl nevsr' said Leigh. "Do
you know I've just engaged splendid
goycrncss for your children? ~
III am heartily glad Of it; the little
rebels ,re getting quite beyond my
management. They need some gentle
anectiorate female influence
"And they will have it. This is one
of the finest girls I've seen for long
time; she lad been teaching in an
academy, hut thinks she should prefer
situation in some private family. She
is all grace snd gentle dignity-a jew
81 Of a governess"
~ am delighted at your success.
When will she come to take charge of
my children 7"
"This evening. But haven't told
you the strangest coincidence of all
Who do you suppose she is.!'
I'm surcI can't imagine"
Her name is Agnes Walton; she is
the same whom you took such a fancy
to in the days of her babyhood; can
tell you she don't know you were on
old beau of hers, else she would shrink
from assuming this responsible situa-
lion in your family"
Nonsense" said Tracy, half laugh
ing, half embarrassed. "But am sor'
| - A.. A.. ,,.,.nA 81. Ii lifl