The Van Buren press., 1873-01-28

succssstul issue, and in dsing 50 nau ~.
tracted attention ss a young lawyer OF
singular ability and great promise IN MS
profession. He had proved IN every
way that Mr.. Freeland had mis)udgsd
hin, and in throwing him of with con
tempt had committed one Of the most 90
rious srrsrs Of his life. A few times III
de had visited her father for whom enc
had q most tender affection, but she lov'
ed her husband deeply aud devetediy'
and knew how worthy he Was ot sueh
lsvs; and she could not feel like gong
often where his presence was unwslcome'
But for this sad sstrangsment. Eiils
would have been one Of ths happisH OF
women. That, however marrsd every
pleasure, and threw across the sunshine
Of her lite a perpetual shadow. Oitsn
she urged her husband to such rcconcll.
iation but on that subject he always heard
her with evidences Of impatienee and she
at length ceased to refer to II at oil.
Ever since their children were old
enough to enter into and enjoy scene
Of social festivity, Mr.. and Mrs. Freeland
had given them an entertainment on New
years night AZ they grew older their
entertainment took . higher character,
and after the marriage OF Eilies brother
they continued ssrt OF family 70 union.
Siucs Etfis passed from under the parents
al roof as the wife OF Elliott. her place
had been vacant in the annual re'assemb-
ling. But though absent, she was with
the loved ones in spirit Why ha had
ever found Efle in tears on New Years
night her husband could not toll. lie
did not know of the dear reunions hal
lowed by tho earliest and tsndsrsst asso-
ciates. The first time this occurred they
had few friends TO tea. Missing Ellie
from the parlor longer than seemed prop
er under the circumstances, her husband
sought her in her chamber, where he
found her lying upon the bed weeping.
failing in the effort to rally her spirits he
was a.length compelled to ask their COM
pany to excuse her for the evening as
she had become suddenly indisposed. On
the next New Years day Etiie's Thoughts
we're again turned toward home With
u strong effort she kept up her spirits
through the day, and received the com
plimsntary calls Of the season; but when
evening came she was unable to control
her feelings, and again hid herself in Ter
chamber to lhink Of home and to weep,
1t was the same on the third year, and
also on tho fourth. Her husband tho't
it very strange, though he enquired car
nestly for the cause. Ellie concealed it
in her bosom.
As New Years day again approached
Elliott thought be saw the spirits Of his
wife again begin to droop.
What can it mean p he said to him
SELF thsughtruly While yet musing on
the subject, accident threw in his way an
open letter directed to his wife, and see
ing it was from her mother, he felt con
strained to read it. 1t was as follows :
My DEAR EFFIE In two weeks
New Years night will be here again. We
meet as Of old, but not with old feelings.
10 me these reunions have become mex
prcssively sad--yet, for the sake of those
who gather about rs then, ! put on a
cheerful face. But think only OF you,
my dear, dear, absent one And 1t isso
with your father. After all have gone,
we sit together and weep in silence And
must We again Ellie, my child IL
seems az il / could not bear it, ! am
growing older, and my heart gets softer
AZ tho years press me down. And it is
so with your father. ! often hear him
breathe your name in sleep lie was
wrong toward Edward, and be knows it.
But he is proud man. have heard
him say he was Al ornament to his pro-
fession. Oh, if Edward would yield 4
little lie should reflect that for an on.
ly daughter q father might we'll feel
Jealous pride. Aud then If it led him in
to error it Is not n sin past forgiveness
am sure, il Edward would only make
the first advance step all would be recon
ciled Wo are not happy, and cannot DO.
I have urged your father to write to Ed.
ward lie says nothing In reply. !
sometimss hope he will do so. But ]
know his spirit, and fear he will break
rather than bend o, il we could only
have you with us on the coming New
Years night, how happy We should be.
Your little Flora, you say, grows sweeter
every day. Oh, how We do want to
see her. When | road to your father
what you said in your last letter hs burst
into tears and left the room. Ii Edward
will not accompany you, will you not
come yourself, with dear, sweet little
Flora, and make us happy for once.
The reading Of this letter touched Mr..
Elliott deeply, and turned his thoughts
into a new channel. lie now understood
fully why his wife had been so much dis
piritsd on every New Years night since
their marriage. A few days after read
ing the letter hs said to her:
Ellie, | have business in Philadelphia
next week. How would you like to 60
there and spend few daysT"
IL should likeat very much, Edward
said Ellie. her face instantly brightenlng
"Wsuld you take Flosay
"Yes Mother has not seen her since
she was six months old. y
Every we'll. We will 60 next Thurs
day. Friday is New Years dav, and you
will thus escape the annoyance OF rscsiv'
ing calls.
The sober face that ElIls had worn Tor
several days, was changed to one ol
brightness Still, there yet remained
pressure upon her heart She would sec
her father and mother and others whom
she tendery loved, but she could mol
join in the annual re- union because in do
In. ..> .b. ~,uIa hava In ba aeDaratod