Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-02
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MY HUSBANDS FIRST LOVE

She was Miriam Dclamater.
And Miriam Deamater was my husbands
first love.
Now Walter and had never talked about
the matter How could | talk about it
,coltid not More than once, when we were
first married, he had spoken to me Of his faith
er's ward with whom he had grown up from
boyhood and who had been almost as a sister
to him. But my lips, even during our bliss
iul honeymoon, had curled increduously as
he said this, and [ had speedily turned the
conversation into a different channel
But | knew all about it, nevertheless. |
had learned that long before he had known
me his love had bowed at the shrine Of this
stately maiden, this peerless blonde beauty
knew that | had not been his first love, and
that this girl. this Miriam Dclamater, had
been
And now she was coming to see US
wonder if Walter did not perceive that
was troubled, and if he did not share in some
degree, as a mans nature might, my own un-
rest? But no. lie sat slipping his coffee and
running his eyes over the latest dispatches
from the seat Of war, as placidly as ever,
Presently he rose.
Metz holds out well, he said " but the
siege cannot last much longer When did
Miriam say she was coming 2"--and he took
up the letter
"To-morrow no, to-day" | answered, as
we glanced down the page together. " This
is the 18th She will be here on the evening
Express"
"1hat suit Of Englesbys comes on at one
O'Clock, he said, taking up his hat, and
fear we shall not be through at FIVE But
never mind. will manage to meet her at
the depot somehow. am glad she is com.
ing, Barbara You are 50 lonely sometimes
and she is very superior woman. | an
sure you will like her"
lie kissed me hastily, and hurried away t
the Office.
Heaven save the mark If there wa
anything on earth that did not like, it wa
superior woman
But there was little time for thinking o
regretting, A wall from the nursery sum
moned me up stairs to the relief of my goo
Hannah, who was trying to quiet the baby
while her thoughts were in the kitchen
"rm glad you've come, Miss Barbara,
she said. | shall be only MiEs Barbara t
her-the child she has loved and tended-a
long as we both live. This boys a.teethir
just as sure as prcachin He'd never worr
so if he want But take him, child, for tn
bread has riz, aud it's time it was in tn
oven"
1t was hot, breathless morning. Sittin
down by the window, with little Allie o
my lap, re-read Miss Delamater's lette
lingering longest over this passage -
" Do give my love to your wife. r,
= member hearing the young men rave abot
: Barbara Wilson's grace and beauty long ag
Now that you have crowned her queen
hearts, | am doubly anxious to know her."
doubted whether the fair writer had eve
so much as heard of me until the day whC
standing beneath the shadow of st. Peter
with the blue skies Of Rome above her hea
and its storied hills around her, news ha
come to her that her old friend and companiC
had taken unto himself a wife. As for Il
raying about my grace and beauty in IL
, quiet country home where Walter had four
me, that mode Of procedure was not the fas
r. ion. Perhaps did my coming guest gre
/ injustice, but felt as if the pretty spec
, was made simply for effect and | fear
hardened my heart against her.
tried to feel that there was a species
iadelicacy, lack Of true womanly feeir
indicated by the approaching visit. lie
could she thrust her unwelcome presence
unwelcome at least to me-into our hom(
But moment of reflection showed me i
; absurdity of the idea. Walters father b.
! been her guardian. As boy and girl tn
' had played together, sang together, studi
: together. Whether or no any warmer fe
ngs had ever found lodging in her hea
> there could be little doubt that she cherish
= for him something closely akin to sister
J. affection. 1t was right that, after her fl
years of travel she should, if she wish,
: come to his home as to brothers. aud Fl
o welcome there.
o And as for my good, noble, true-heart
T. husband, could not trust him
l. So thrust the demon of Jealousy into
hearts darkest closet, and turned the
upon him No ray of light should visit hi
no breath of air should strengthen and viz
him no voice should break the silence
which | committed him. He should
ii there unshrined and unanuealed.
d Allie belook himself to his nap at last, Q
y then % on hospitabe thoughts intent" W
III in pursuit Of Hannah. The dark mood
u the early morning had passed, aud | fl
IT, about my small house only intent upon nj
y ing it fair and prosentablo to eyes that
At seen SO much, and pleasant rssting-place
feet that had wandered so far. The gu
y chamber was swept and garnished, the par
'e were made fresh and sweet with the 5,
wandering airs Of summer, and the breath
ie roses aud heiotropes. The baby was b
y into his high.chair, and pounded away u
&c the kitchen table, while Hannah and | tos
IL together light, golden drifts of sponge-ca
D. and moulded jelies clear as amber.
u roasted chicken-and ourselves as well
&c that it might be ready to slice for suppe
ie aud, through much tribulation and stress
> body and mind prepared a salad after
&c approved French recipe that | had me-
Y tried before.
,s Doubtless did twice as much as | shol
l. have done that day twice as much as
IL in any way needful. But | was a young hou
& keeper and | could not bear that Mirii
~ Deamaters critical fastidious eyes shoV
y find any lack in my home or its appoi
= monts that forethought or labor of mind cot
:, ! supply.
a , I" Look your prettiest tonight, Babett
l. Walter had said, when he went out after
. ner {" I'll have Miriam here by quar-
u past five at the latest"
y | meant that evening, of all evenings in I
J year, to leave myself ample time to make su
J a toilet as my husband best liked. But I
q y moments few apace, and when at last | to
! Allie and went up to my chamber II was 10
u after four.
The child was uncomiortably warm a
tired from his long confinement In the hi
chair; aud his little frock was creased a
" soiod, for Hannah had given him all sorts
= things to play with Hastily stripping hi
n | gave him bath, arrayed him in fresh q
ments, and brushed the golden brown ha