New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-10

had it not been all my fault And through
all the long weeks of fear that followed l
uursed him with unwavering care and de-
votion. l had but one thought-One de-
sire-tO redeem myself in his estima-
ton; to prove TO him that l was something
more and higher than the mere butterfly OF
fashion had hitherto shown myself! Well,
the March winds had hOwled themselves
into their mountain businesses; the bright
April raindrOps were dried on the bOugh
and sprsy-and now the apple blossoms
were tossing their fragrant pillows of piDky
bloom in the deep blue air of latter May.
Where were we now 1t was picturesqe
little cottage just out of the city, furnished
very like magnitied baby house. Gerald
sat in a cushioned easy chair on the piazza,
just where he could glance through the
open window at me working batch of bis
cults, with my sleeves rolled up above my
elbows, and the gold thread" hair neatly
confined in silken net.
"What an Industrious fairy it is, y he said,
smiling sadly.
We'll, you see / like it. It's great deal
better than those sOnatas on the piano."
"Who would ever have thought You
would make such a notable hOusekeeperF'
laughed gleefully-I had a ehild's de-
light in being praised.
"Are you not going to Mrs. Delancy's
crOquet partyR" he pursued.
"No-what do care for croquet partiesi
L y "a
read aloud to me-"
Madeline, l want you to answer me one
quesrion."
"What is it,"
had safely deposited my pan of buisouits
in the oven by this time, and was busting
the -four off my hands.
| what have you done with your dia-
monds7"
| ~ sold them long ago; they paid several
4 heavy bills, beside settling half year 8
rent here"
'But Madeline, you were SO proud of your
diamonds"
II was once-now they would be the bit
terest reproaches my eyes could meet. .,
Gerald had been less vain and thought
less and extravagant-"
| checked myself, and a robin singing in
the perfumed depths of apple blossoms
above the piazza took up the current Of
\ sound.
THAT'S right, little red-breast," said my
| husband, half iOkinglY, "talk her down
| She has forgotten that our past is dead,
and that we have turned over a new page
/ in the book of existence. Madeline, do you
know how feel sometimes when sit and
look at you"
MOP
"Well, feel like widower who was
married again."
NY heart gave little superstitious jump.
Like widower who was married again,
| Geraid2"
Eyes, 1 can remember my first wife
brilliant, thoughtless child--without an
idea beyond the qualification of present
whims-a spoiled plaything Well, that
little Madeline has vanished away into
the past somewhere; she has gone away to
return no more, and in her stead behold
my second wife, thoughtful, tender wo.
man, whose watcnful love surrounds me
like an atmosphere, whose character grows
more noble and develops itself into new
depth and beauty every day ~
was kneeliDg by his side now, with my
cheek upon his arm and my eyes looking in
/ his.
"And which do you love best, Gerald, the
| first or the secOndF"
~ think the trials and vicissitudes through
which We have just passed are welcome in
deed, since they have brought me, as their
harvest fruits, the priceless treasure of my
second wife"
That was what Gerald answered me-the
sweetest words that ever fell upon my ear,