The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-05-10

nj one salts-uUsuFufy N, y
speech, only smiled and hssnsS her hand in bis
She was not carressing woman-rather coy il
her sweet maiden dignity but where she CAV,
love and confidence, she gave them fully ant
freely.
The days of betrothal sped rapidly.
A gay wedding, happy tour, and the young
people came home to settle in the handsome new
house as quiet as married folks
Two years Of happiness followed. Wilton wa.
rapidly rising in the esteem of business men
having purchased his position as junior partner
in the firm of Myers Il Co., at Miraln's earnes
request. But, although attentive to his business
he was no mere drudge, seeking money as the
only end and aim of life.
Miriam found him ever a willing escort to par.
ty, ball, or opera; and the home evenings were
given to music, or reading, or such bright, intel
lectual intercourse as had its power of mu tua at.
traction before their marriage
There were sage people who shook their heads
over the young wife's extravaganza but Wilton
seemed most happy when she was gratifying some
new whm or desire; and she had never known
the need of economy.
1t was during the third year Of her married
life Miriam began to find cloud upon the former
bright happiness of her life. Wilton was chang
ed. In these three words the loving heart of the
| young wife summed up all her forbodings. He
had been the sunlight of her life loving, tender,
and thoughtful; but it became evident TO her
that some absorbing interest was gradually win
| ming him more and more from her side.
Evening after evening be left her, on one pre-
text or another, oftentimes staying away from
her till long after midnight. His sleep became
restless and broken, and some absorbing care
kept his face pale, his eyes clouded, his manner
grave. There was no unkindness to complain of
Miriam met ever tender caress, a loving word
! Wilton was becoming misery.
| lie denied her nothing, but would sometimes
sigh heavily if she challenged his admiration of
| some new dress or ornament and it was evident
that he was curtailing bis personal expenses to
the merest necessities. AT first she endeavored
| to win bis confidence, but be kindly evaded her
| inquiries, and she made no further effort
Her home grew distasteful, and she sought for
excitement as she had never done in the first hap
Ply years Of her married life.
And while Mrs. Seymour was thus seeking for
happiness abroad that could not be found at
home, her husbands face grew paler and thinner
and he became more absorbed in business cares.
One year more passed, and the hearts that had
been so firmly bound together seemed to be drift
ing entirely apart.
Miriam was sitting sadly in her drawing-room
one evening, waiting for the carriage which was
to convey her to large social gathering at a
fashionable friends. She was dressed in costly
lace, over rich silks, and every detail of her cos
tune was faultless in finish, and of choices, quail
ity. Her face was pale, and her eyes very SAD.
She looked up as the door opened, hoping to
see Wilton, though it was long since he had
spent an evening in her society. Instead of his
tall, graceful figure, the portly form of her STEP
father entered the room.
Miriam sprang forward with glad smile.
81 am glad to see you" she exclaimed, warmly.
"But you are going out?'
"Only to be rid of my loneliness and myself.
shall be happier here with you.'
'Truly, Miriam, will you treat me as your
father tonight? | have come here on painful
and delicate errand, and want your confidence
She was silent moment and then said, "You
shall haveit."
"You love your husband Miriam ?''
Great tears answered him.
"Do you love society, dress and excitement
better than you do Wilton 2"
''No, no A thousand times, no '
"Could you give all these up for his sake p
"You have some motive for asking this ?'
~ have indeed love your husband also
Miriam. have learned to respect him, to trust
him, and was wrong when you decided to trust
your happiness in his hands"
"But, father, some great change has come over |
Wilton. He seems absorbed in oney-making.n |
"One year ago your husband asked me to keep |
a secret from you. Believing he was increasing |
your happiness by so doing, consented, but / |
am convinced now that the deceit is wrong He |
has assumed burden that is too heavy for him |
to bear, and you are not happier than you were
a year ago."
"Happier p cried Miriam, impulsvely. clam
wretched wretched in losing my husbands So
ciety and confidence"
"You shall not complain of that again. am
breaking my PROMISE but you will soon under
stand my motive. A year ago the bank in which
every guinea of your private fortune YVES invest
ed failed, and everything was lost. This house
and the money Wilton had paid TO secure his
business position, were all that was left of your
fathers wealth. Convinced that luxury, society
and extravaganza were necessary for Jour happi-
ness, Wilton implored me to keep the fact secret
from you and braced himself resolved to regain
by his own exertions what was swept away by
the failure before you could discover the loss
But Miriam, he 10 everlasting bis strength. Ny