The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-11

| w ny. uSsO yV0 uos i"s S,oso -.~ -
New Years Day! Besides, have an
abundance of the good things of this
lin preparation for dinner, and have
invited uncles family to dine With us -
"Transfer the eatables to the care of
your aunt, and recall the invitation
until q more convenient season. l
must have you aud Chester with me to
gnorsx, We will go up upon the two
o'clock train"
They returned to the little parlor.
and lighted the lamp. Myrtle drew
her low chair to the side of the table
and unfofded her work. little dress she
was embroidering for her babe. She
was never idle now, there was always
some employment for the busy hands or
the basier brain, always some knitting
or sewing, or book which her husband
had requested her to read. Chester
noticed that she sighed YEARLY as her
trembling fingers almost refused to
thread the needle.
awe will have holiday tonight. my
| love-" he said, taking the garment from
her lap and replacing it in her basket.
! "You are tired, know let me rest
you."
He pillowed her face upon his breast,
sDd lifted her face to his.
/ "The old year is ebbing away, Myrtle !;
have We spent 1t pro6tably or unpro6ta-
bly, :"
"Pro6tably," she replied, her energies
reviving, "and happily, too. How has
It been With you, Chester?' Is the
retrospect pleasant, or is this hour "a
time for memory and for tears
"No, Myrtle can honestly say that
since We have been living in this cot
..ge, have known more genuine
happiness than I ever experienced IN
the whole of my lifetime before. |
ueed not tell you that when We removed
here feared the effects Of the change
upon you. Installed you mistress of
my house when wealth seemed to flow
in upon rs from every side; but before
two years bad passed, home and wealth
vanished as it they had been the crca-
tions Of dream. Myrtle, have you
never, in your secret heart, reproaehed
me for the chause?"
"Never, never Chester! l have
blamed myself rather than you. And
uore-if TO night our lost fortune could
be restored to::us. | feel that the strength
and wisdom | have gained in the
passing year would keep me forever
aloof from the follies in which once
INDUCED SO recklessly. feel no regret
for their loss. no desire for their re-
possession. In your restored health and
continued love, my siucerest prayers
have been answered ; and society, no
matter how fascinating, could never
again furnish an inducement for ME 10
leave your side. l have learned that
voman's sphere is home, and that if
there is tie stronger than that which
binds her to it, she does not deserve
the holy name OF wife"
Chester drew her more closely to him
and pressed his lips to her brow.
"This comparative poverty has been
a greater trial to me than you, Myrtle,
he replied, in an unsteady voice; not
because have had many Of its priva-
tions to bear, but because in seeing you
bear them SO nobly, have realized how
utterly weak my iu6rmities rendered
me-"
"But that is ell over now, Chester
Our misfor.unes we're for our own i'm
mediate good. though when they came
npuu as so suddenly, I could see it
clearly, strong as thought myself to
vres,lc with them. These invigorating
nouu,aiu breeses have been your re-
sscration TO health, aud my separation
from fashion aud its yotsries has been
temporal salvation. I sremble 20 think
what would have been tonight had
not Providence so kindly iuterposed--
That l vas hopelessly vain and careless
q year ago, you know too we'll but if
10 tbs past months ! have in any degree
atoned for it, am grateful"
AS they stopped al the depot upon
their arrival 10 the city the next even
ing, Myrtle recognized in che dusky
twilight the. carriage end horses which
had ooce been her own, and even the
driver Who had formerly been in her
employ.
"Coue. nay love, the carrisge is wait
Ing" said Chesser, and too much su-
prised to speak. Myrtle suffered herself
to be placed within it.
"Where are We going, Chester" she
asked as soon as she could commaud her
voice.
~ an auxioDs for you to become ac-
uusiased With the mistress Of your former
home, and her husband desired me ia
bring you directly there You will end
her . woman who has bat few equals
] and 90 superior; one in whom her
.husband's heart doth safely trust
Yon viii lsv6 her for my sake, | am
sure.
/ Myrtle did not reply. but after a few
moments drive they reached the luxu-
rious house In which they had spent the
frss years of,heir- married life. Chester
led her up the marble steps, through
4 The bfoad hail. INTO The very ehsmber
which Bad been her osn q twelve mouti'
| before. Everything vac unchanged,
carpet. farqitnfe,, curtains were the
| same. even her verf. jewel boz occupied
| its place upoa the dressing bureau. e
=1pksE does Il 81 mean, siie asked