Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-10-31

AT any other time l should have been
ready to cry at the prolonged absence of my
husband, but confess TO secret gratifica-
ton upon receiving the dispatch. He, could
not be at home in time for the ball and had
he not expressed n desire for me to enjoy
myself? L showed .he dispatch to Mrs.
Stanhope, who instantly advised me to ac-
cept the escort of the Lieutenant and at
tend the ball. l think that it was know
ledge that she would advise men TO go, that
prompted me to show her my letter. Still
l did not feel at rest. l had a sort ofpride
that rebelled against my appearing i'll
society without my husband but Mrs.
Stanhope's arguments and the Lieutenant's
entreaties at length scattered my scruples,
and L resolved to go.
My early life-my girlhood days-had
been passed III strict secusion, and my hus-
bands quiet tastes had made my married
life almost as solitary in regard to society.
Is it much of wonder then that l was al
most carried away by its gay scenes :?
The evening came, and in company with
DIR. Stanhope and wife and Lieutenant
Morris L went to the ball. The Lieutenant
was exceedingly attentive, and l received
many attentions from others still | was
i'll at ease. Several times l caught myself
wondering if people would think me un-
married, or worse still his wife; and once
or twice | fancied that the Lieutenant half
smothered the Mrs. when introducing me
to his friends.
Have you enjoyed the evening, Mrs.
b. p he inquired as we walked homeward.
oh, very much l replied, with much
fcrvor.
Il hope nothing will keep you away from
such gatherings in the future
THAT is more than can promise myself
You know Captain B. does not enjoy balls. ,
But it is unfair to keep you from them.
Perhaps in his younger days he was more
favorable toward them
Perhaps so,' replied, but is he an old
man yet?'
That depends upon what comparisons
one might make, he replied.
l saw, or fancied saw, in his remark an
allusion to the disparity of our ages, but l
made no reply.
The next day brought my husband.
DO you care that | went p | asked after
l had told him how L employed my time.
Not at all. 1t is very lonesome here
even when am with you it must be in
tclerable when am gone. am glad my
little girl enjoyed it,
There is to be horseback party to-
morrow l said, nervously toying with the
buttons of his coat.
is there 2 Well p
Shall we 60 p asked. .....r .r.
1t would hardly be pleasure for me, as
l have been in the saddle for nearly ten
days
Although I said nothing. my face must
have expressed my disappointment, for he
very soon said 90
DO you wish to go, Clara p '
Very much.' .s
Would you be satisfied to go without
me y H
'Hardly.' d"
'Thcn suppose we stay at home.
should enjoy reading this volume with you
more than riding out,' and he tossed q
beautifully bound little volume in my lap.
AT another time | should have screamed
with delight, for it was what | had SO
much longed to see-a copy Of Enoch Ar
den.
But now there came no response, nc
word of thanks from my lips. lie seemed
disappointed, but sa id nothing as he went
out.
was just in mood to feel unkinGly to-
ward every one, and more unkindly of all
to my noble husband. What right had he
to make me conform to his tastes. Then |
me away from all my earlier friends and
bury me alive in that miserable, dull town.
Surely, all men were not SO reserved or SO
fogyism as he, and wondered if l should
not have been more satisfied with one
nearer my own age. Then l found nlyselI
among comparisons, ever a dangerous
train of thought for wife. Somehow, up
permost in my mind during all this mental
harangue was Lieutenant Morris, with his
handsome face and genial ways. l blush
with shame as | recall these thoughts, but
| was angry and disappointed then, and
Just in u mood to think myself very much
abused.
must have behaved shamefuily i'll that
day, for III the evening my husband came
up to where / was sitting. and laying his
hand on my shoulder, said i'll very low
calm voice
Il would not willingly give you pain OF
deny you one pleasure. l cannot attend
you tomorrow, but ifyou wish, will pro-
vide you with an escort
oh, dor exclaimed, so eagerly that
the calm look in his eyes grew painfully
penetrating as he fixed them sadly upon
my face.
| went with the party, nominally under
the escort OF DIR. S.anhope and wife, but il
was Lieutenant Motifs VINO rode by my
side, who praised my riding, my figure and
general appearance with more warmth
than pleased even my Unsuitable vanity.
After that day my husband seemed difle-
rent. lie was as kind as ever, even in
dulging me more than previously, but the
old tenderness was gone. J missed the
stolen caress, the pet warmth-the thou
sand little endearnesses that had before
made my life so sweet.
Had any one given me whispered hint
that my heart was growing disloyal to my
husband, or that Lieutenant Morris sought
my company with pleasure, should have
repealed the accusation with Indignation.
had no thought of anything wrong. But
then, why was | SO pleased with his socie'
typ Why did l care so little whether il
was he or my husband who rode by my
side who walked with me and seemed al
ways ready to attend me. 1t was because
loved hattery, and he filled my measure Il
intoXication.
The Summer had ripened into autumn
and Autumn was merging into Winter
still, contrary to all expectations, we were
vet detained at the station. Mrs. Stan
hope had set her active brain to work con
- faotix-if;oo far tho Mint nd