Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-11-03

in their home. a more saddened, quie
woman than before, both husband an
wife thoroughly misunderstood tn
other. A dark veil was between then
while they slowly drifted apart
Finding his wife in tears one day, h
would have drawn her to restin
place on his breast and learned all he
grief; all might have been explained
all forgiven and forgotten, and hap
pinness reigned in their home; bu
she supposed it was pity alone whicl
prompted him to sooth her weakness.
He only spends 80 much of his tim,
with me because he thinks it mis- duty
he will return to his old habits by anC
| by. Thus she would argue against hope
| But Howard remained uniformly kind
and attentive.
"Come here, darling" he said one
day, seeing her look sadder than usual
''sit on this cushion and rest your head
on my lap, and tell me all your trOu-
BILE"
"You must listen to me, then. How
ard when | was a free and happy girl,
why did you come and win my love
without giving me yours in return?"
"Helenl Helen" he said at length, 81
am not worthy of you but you must be-
lieve in your heart | was true to you.
Do not despise me as despise myself" !"
She laid her hand upon his head and
looked into his face. If her own was
gravcr than was its wont, there was in
it no shadow of distrust.
Howard" she said tenderly, 81 can
nothear such words spoken of you, even
by yourself; we will let the past alone,
for the future | can only ask"
He interrupted her there.
''Tell Inc first that you forgive me-"
"Let me always he sure of your love
and esteem, and | will be more than re-
paid"
"Helen, my wife, with Gods help my
duty as husband and father, proud
ly admitted) shall be my greatest pleas
urc"
But shall burn the rest of my paper
and wash the ink from my fingers? In
short, shall | write no more?
Six months later she would have said
that Howard was all that the fondest,
most eXacting heart could wish. They
had but one will, one life between them. !
When year had elapsed the wife could
have acknowledged no change She
wished, nay, she would not allow, even |.
to herself, that any difference could be /
desired. II Howard did not spend
every evening with her in her own
room, she must not forget that business
had its claims, which extended beyond /
the routine of office hours. twas right, /
too, and suitable that he should like |
to talk with other men, OF poll I
tics and the topics OF the day, even if .
it kept him from her side. She did not .
wish him to be shut up to her society
alone. 1t had sutliced awhile, and
they had been very happy. But
such were not the means by which he
could fit himself for mingling with the
world, and taking an honorable position
in it. She looked that fact steadily in
the face, and was willing to resign him,
whenever it was for his good, even at
,ost to herself At his return she was
sure to hear Howard's deep-toned voice
repeat some beautiful passage OF scrip
.ure, and the clear, calm face exalted
INTO beauty when he said, "Letuspray."
"Whoso dwelleth under the defense
1f the Most High, shall abide under the
shadow OF the Almighty"
SO their little romance ended, and the
better, the higher, holier morning OF
lie had dawned.
Ny little story has a moral. II you
an find it, reader, it is well; il you can
not, have written in vain.