The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-03

she went up to her room, her husband
was, or pretended TO be, iast-locked in
Sleep.
Next morning, atbreakiast, the young
wife was quite prepared TO expect the
way might be easier for the establish.
ment Of peace between them but there
was reserve and iciness in Mr.. Mail
lard's manner which quite frustrated
this intention. Hehurried through the
meal, went TO the library for thebooks,
looked into the breakfast,room again
for courteous " good morning" but
did not unbend to bestow the CUSTOM
ary parting kiss.
Alice felt more than ever grieyed,
thus thrown back upon herself. All
day long she was most unhappy, and
could not settle herself about her usual
employments. The feelings she suf-
fered were 30 new 10 her II was some
thing she had never thought could hap.
pen-to speak o quick, angry word to
one who was all the world TO her and,
no matter though ahe had been be-
trayed into the utterance, she never
could be happy again till IL had been
explained and forgiven. She would
speak to herhusband before resleep again
sealed her eyelids- although very
sound, indeed, had not been the slum.
ber that visited her last night.
When evening arrived, and Mr.. Nail.
lard came home 10 dinner, Alice met
him as usual with an af'ectionate greet
ing, aud put up her lips for the GUS
tomafy kiss but very icy was the salu-
tation, and such tone OF restraint per-
yaded his manner that Bho found her.
self deferred from uttering q word. At
table Mr.. Maillard was politely atten.
tive, and led the conyeisation 10 sub
iects Of general interest, keeping IL up
go slrillfully that not an opening ap-
peared for the introduction Of any
reference TO the particular subject that
engrossed his wife's mind and when
he rose, he said: iigs
"I have On engagement OF the office
tonight, Mrs. Mailard, and II will
probably be late when return and
went out.
awhy did I not speakp fwon't let
II pass 30 He Is cold as m iceberg.
i will have IN explanation before /
sleep Tonight said Alice, passion.
ately. "He shan't treat me like o
child any longer.p
It was late when Mr.. Maillard re-
turned, and he did not expect TO find
the watcher who sat in the parlor; and
N little surprise was in his glance when
he entered, but he made no comment.
g Il is after twelve, / know, William
but ] sat up for you. The truth is, !
wanted to speak to you about-about
but here she paused.
awelli''
There was but little encouragement
in the cool monosyllable that Mr..
Maillard uttered--and the eyes upon
which his wife's were turned appeal.
ingly held no glance Of tenderness to
lure her on the step that was now grow
ing painful TO her, although he very
well knew what was going on in her
mind. Was this man 0 hardened
boora ,s
He had many excellent traits and
he had not really felt comfortably him
self since that affair in the library !; but
he had q strong, passionate nature,
and IN iron will that had never been
subdued and, like many Of his proud
and imperious type, he would neither
bend 10 Acknowledgements himself nor
seem TO encourage, by any tenderness
OF manner, his wife's. So he sat, state
" and frigid, in the seat he had taken
by the register.
Meanwhile, lice-affectionate and
sensitive, with her whole heart in her
eyes, and those eyes eagerly beseech-
ing his-stood near him, where she had
advanced as she spoke. at first, IL had
been easy for her TO utter those words
but that one unimpassioned monosyl-
liable checked further utterance and
froze her lips. But at length she burst
out, passionately.
f1 tpiH speak, William, you know
what / want to say. I am very un-
happyip and the hot tears tllickened
her voice. titi lslagi
!" what makes you unhappy, Mrs.
Maillard2p
Yes, that man actually asked this
question-he, who knew Just how that
noble, sensitive, affectionate girl was
suffering. Not an embrace-no open.
ing Of his arms 10 draw her TO his breast
no kiss on her quiyering mouth, no
tremor in his own tones but, instead,
that impassiye question
"what makes you unhappy, Mrs.
Maillard2"
For an instant, the ice.Aow, driven
into the gulf.stream Of feeling, checked
It's topic current then 1t swept on again,
but not 50 warm as before.
al am unhappy because / have SUI
fered-am suffering. i wish recon-
ciliation. You know, William-thoae
words spoken in the library the other
night. / was sorry the very minute
afterwards
"And was sorry also, Mrs. Mall
lard. Any exhibition Of impetuouspess
temper, I might say-disgusts me.
/ think any wife ought to know that,
and aysid such occasion. But j forgive
you"
Mr.. Maillard said this as loitily as
though he were o Judge, pronouncing
sentence-as though he, himself, were
mot the cause oft all. A chill ran
through poor Alice's veins. She had
read OF lovers quarrelB and trihing
arrangements between the married
but here was new phase. She had
expected 10 be taken 10 her husband's
heart and restored to happiness again.
She never dreamed Of thus being thrown
off, bafiied by the power Of that cruel
wiil-she who was oil heart and affec.
tion. II he was only downright angry
with her-would onlysccld her roundly