The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-04

>
conform herself more to his tastes and
wishes. But he was a silent, moody sort
Of a man when things did not go just to
suit him and instead Of speaking out
plainly, broOded over HClcn's faults, and
worried himself into fits Of ill.humor. And
what was worse than all, grew at length
Indifferent to his home and wife, and sought
pleasanter surroundings and more attrOc-
tive company abroad.
"Eyery man thus estranged from his
ONE is in danger, and Harding was no
exception to this rule. Temptation lay
about his feet-and that commonest temp
tation Of all, the elcgantly-titted up billiard
and drinking saloon.
"They had been married just about as
long as you and John have been when the
sad catastrophe of their lives took place.
| had called to spend the day with Helen,
and found her in her usual condition Of
personal untidineSs and disorder. When
her husband came home at dinner-time, |
noticed with painful concern that he had
been drinking-not very, freely, but just
enough to show itself in captious al-humor.
Helen had not dressed for dinner, but
presented herself Mt the table without
even clean collar, and with an old faded
shawl drawn about her shoulders. She
looked anything but attractive.
~ saw her husband'seyes glance toward
her across the table with an expression
that chilled me. II was hard, angry,
determined expression. He was scarcely
civil to me, and snapped his wife sharply
two or three times during tho meal. At
its close, he left the room without word,
and went up stairs.
MWhat's tho matter with John 2 |
asked.
"Dear above knowsp replied Helen.
He's been acting queer for good while.
| ca. t imagine what's come over him.
"'Does he come home in this way
often7' asked.
"Yes, he's moody and disagreeable most
of tho time. I'm getting dreadfully wOr-
ried about it.
GAS we talked We heard John moving
about with heavy footballs in the rooms
above. Presently ho came down, and
stood for little while in the hall at the
foot Of the stairs rs ifln hesitation. Then
he went to the street door, passed out,
and shut It hard after him.
" Helen caught her breath with start,
and turned a little pale.
"'What's the mntterp asked, see
ing the strangeness of her look.
"'I don't know she replied with
choking voice, laying her hand at the same
time on her breast, "but feel rs II somc-
thing dreadful were going to happen
"She got up from the table, and drew
my arm around her. too felt sudden
depression Of spirits. We went slowly up
to her chamber, where We spent the after
noon; and ! then took Upon myself the
office of friend, and talked seriously to
my cousin about her neglect Of personal
neatness, limiting that her husbands es-
arrangement from his home, and altered
manner toward herself, might all spring
from that cause. She was little angry
with me at first, but pressed the subject
home with a tender seriousness that did
the work Of conviction and as evening
drew on, she dressed with care and neat
ness. With fresh ribbon tied in her hair,
and color little raised by mental excite
ment, she looked charming and lovablc.
waited with interest to see what impress
sion she would make on her husband. He
could not help being charmed back into
the lover I was sure. But he did not
come home to tea. We waited for him
whole hour after the usual time, and then
sat down 10 the table alone; but neither
of us could do more than sip little tea.
"f went home, soon after, with pres
sure of concern at my heart, for which |
could not account. All night dreamed
uncomfortable dreams. In the morning,
soon after breakfast, ran over 10 see
Helen. found her in her room, sitting in
her night.dress, the picture ot despair
"sWhat is 1t y Iasked eagcrly. what
has bappcncdP She looked atme heavily,
like one not yet recovered fiom the shock
of a stunning blow.
"'Dear cousin! what Is the matter p
| said. ..
81 now saw, by motion of her hand,
that it held, tightly clutched, piece Of
paper. She reached 1t to me. 1t was n
letter, and read:
"Nye cannot live happily together,
Helen. You are not what believed my
self getting when We were mNrried-not
the sweet, lovely, lovabe girl that charmed
my fancy and won me from all Others.
Alas for us both that it Is SO! There has
been shipwrcck Of two lives. Farewell
| shall never return
"And this was all but It broke the
heart Of my poor cousin. To this day,
though nearly three years have passed, she
has never heard from her husband.
"I saw her last week in tho country
home to which she has been taken by her
friends-a wreck both in mind and body.
She was sitting in an upper room, from
the window of which could be seen beau-
titul landscape. She was neatly Ottired,
and locket, containing her husbands
picture, hung at her throat. Her head
was droopcd, and her eyes upon the floor,
when entered but she raised her eyes
quickly, and with kind Of start. | saw
a nomentary eager flush in her face, dying
out quickly, and leaving it nexpressibly
sad,
az thought it was Johu,' she said
mournnlly. 'Why don't he come 2"
had to stop her, for Maggie broke out
suddenly into wild 1T Of sobbing and
crying, which lasted Tor nearly minute.
"What ails you, dear 7" I asked, rs sho
began to be little composed.
aOh you have frightened me SO, II
John should--n g..
She cut short the sentence but her
frightened face left Inc in no doubt as to
what was in her thoughts.
She arose and walked about the room
in an uncertain way for somc moments,
ond thon Sot down npnin. drawing in her