The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-08-05

about the remainder Of her large fortune
being left subject to the control Of her
future husband
Busy days were followed by happy
evenings. The young people were favor
ties in society, and friends would insist
upon social festivities to celebrate the be-
trothal. The quiet home evenings were
pleasant beyond these, when two loving
hearts learned to read each other. While
Wilton loved more deeply every day,
Miriam was giving such respect to his
worth and manlines as made her future
look brighter every day.
But the days Of his betrothal wcre
short, y gay wedding, happy tour,and
the young people came home to settle
down in the handsome new house as quiet
married folks.
Two years Of happiness followed. vii.
ton was rapidly rising in the esteem OF
business mcn--having purchased his po-
stion as junior partner in the firm OF
Myers u Co., at Miriam's earnest request.
But, although attentive to his busoess,he
was no mere drudge, seeking money as
the only end aud aim of life.
Miriam found him ever a willing es-
cort to party, ball, or opera and the
home evenings were given to music, or
reading, or such bright intellectual inter
course as had its power Of mutual attrac-
ton before their marriage.
There were sage people who shock
their heads over the young wiEc's extrav-
ogauce but Wilton seemed most happy
when she was gratifying some new whim
or desire; and she had never known the
need Of economy. Money had always
been at her Command and there was no
new restraint upon her expenditures. For
fine dress she cared Dut little, though she
was tasteful, aud her costumes were al
ways rich aud appropriate but she waS
generous and charitable, loved TO collect
trines of exquisite art aorund her, pat
ronized rising artists, and found no diff
Guilty in exhaustng her liberal income
each year.
1t was during the third year Of her
married life that Miriam began to iiul a
cloud upon the former bright happiness Of
her life. Wilton was changed. In these
three words tho loving heart OF the young
wife summed up all her iorboding'. lie
had been the sunlight Of her life, loving,
tender, and thoughtful; but it became
evident to her that some absorbing inter-
est was gradually winning him more and
more from her side
Evening after evening he left her, on
ono pretext or another, oltentimes 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 uukindnoss to complain Of. Mir
lam met ever tender caress, n loving
word. She missed the pleasant home in.
torcoursc and a strange dull fear crept
into her heart. Wilton was becoming
misery.
lie denied her nothing, bat wouid
sometimes sigh heavily if she challenged
his admiration Of some new dress or orna.
ment, and it was evident that he was cur
failing his personal expenses to the
merest necessities. Too proud to com
plain, Miriam suffered silently, praying
that she might not learn to despisc hel
husband as mere money-making ma.
chine, At first she endeavorcl to wiz
his confidence, but he kindly evaded hei
inquiries, and she made no further effort
But her home grew distasteiul, missing
the companionship that had made thu
hours fly SO swiftly. She had never fcl
household cares, trusting everything to AZ
experienced housckeeper. She had nj
children to awaken mother love and care
so she plunged into fashionable folies ,an'
, tried to forget her loneliness Never ha'
, her toilet been chosen with more faultles
taste; never had her beauty been NOR
marked than it now became; and sh'
sought for excitement as she had nevc
done in the first happy years of her mar
ried life.
And while Mrs. Seymour was thu
seeking for happiness abroad that coul
not be found at home, her husbands fac
, grew paler aud thinner, and he becam
: more absorbed in business cares. On
r year more passed, and the hearts that ha
: been so firmly bound together seemed t
be drifting entirely apart
t Miri m was sitting sadly in her draw
| ing.room, one evening waiting for tn
: carriage which was to convey her to
: large social gathering at fashlonabl
0 friends she was dressed in costly lac
over rich silks, and every detail of hC
c elegant costume was taultless in finish, an
. of the choicest quality. Her face wa
) pale, and her eyes very sad.
She looked up as the door opened, hoI
!. ing to see Wilton, though it was Ion
l. since he had spent an evening in her s.
4 cicty. Instead of his tall, graceful 6gur
the portly orm of her stcp.iathar enterc
/ the room.
o Miriam spraug forward Sith a GIN
= smile.
e 4 am SO glad to see you sha oxelaim'
warmly,
:, But you were going out2
'Only to be ril of my loneliness ai
G myself shall be happier here vii
s you
D Truly, Miriam, you will treat me
d your father tonight? have come he
le on painful and delicate erranl and
N want your confidence
She was silent a moment and then sal
N You shall have it,
You love your husband, Miriam p
r Great tears answered him.
y DO you love society, dress and exeil
'e ment better than you do Witon2
IT. No, no 4 thousand times no =
y Gould you give all these up for
sakeY
he You have some motive for aski
IA this p
ht Il have, inleod. love your husba
er also, Miriam. have learned to resp'
lis him. TO trust him, anl was wrong, WI
ry you decided to trust your happiness