The Republican journal., 1876-08-10

said, But if were to behave SO, woul
, he consider it tritle ?"
: "Oh, but we are expected to be NOR,
scrupulous than men. We shouldn't wis!
them to have the delicate sensitiyeness O;
| women"
} 81 agree with you, Carrie. But he an,
, | had an understanding about this wo
| man, and both kept her at an equal dis
tance. She resented it in me. but net il
him. OF course that never was worth n
moments thought to me, for he was OF
my side and maintained my dignity anc
his own. And do you not see that by per
hitting her this liberty in my absence he
has humbled me before her and estab
lished a sort of understanding with her
She believes that he will tell me nothing
of if. Oh, it is a triile to the world, but
it has taken away the charm of my life
He's a good man, us the world goes. but
the world goes Ill a very mean way. If
had not believed him to he IN ideal man,
| would never have married him.
She rose, and began 60 pace the room
as she talked: IL have never admitted
that there should be two laws one for
men and one for women, and | never will
admit it. Why should women keep them
selves clean for the sake Of unclcan men
DO you take pains to wIlitcn i garment
that You are going to throw into the
ditch \ light woman is IL good enough
wife for an unscrupulous man. and it is
the society law to the contrary which is
rui,!nts 50 many women NhHt keeps a
wollan stainless? First. her natural in
Stncts. But those same Instincts would
teach her to recoi from uniting herself
with q man not rs blameless as herself
Then there is religion. But if she does
right ior Gods sake alone, ,she would
shut herself up in 4 convent rather than
| marry one she couldn't trust Besides
these, there is the wish and hope to please
some man. ana be worthy his love and re-
spect, | suppose most good women are
| Influenced by all these motives together
| Was-bul ii one have NO motive but the
last, say that the love Of an INSCRIPTIONS
man isn't worth taking such pains for and
| his respect is Of 70 consequence. Arthur
always said" She stopped suddenly in
her indignant defamation; her voice was
choked and she burst into tears
Mrs Atherton who had been complete
! ~ silenced and Disconnected by both her
/ sisters passion and her logic took adyan-
ta@e Of this soitening: "Ics, Arthur has
| said many beautiful things to you rs you
have often told ne, and you are not now
| trusting him enough. Give him a chance
70 explain Remember all his love and
fidelity, which you have proved and which
never failed You. Go to him frankly and
tell him what you saw, and how unhappy
it made you. Don't utter one word Of re-
proach, but only ask him if he cannot take
away the pain he has given you, and
which you cannot help feeling. If he
should laugh ut you--"
'IIe would not do that" her sister in
terrupted quickly: . he never laughs at
what hurts me But do NOT wish to 90
ont now We will stay here to-day. and
| should like to rest while shall feel
better to stay here till evening"
An hour before sunset the sisters left
the hotel, but instead of going directly
home the younger turned again toward
the Piazza Del Termni
My head aches little, and the fresh
air will MAKE me feel better Besides. we
mad better 20 for our luggage AMI take
carriage homo
She spoke very quietly. There was no
longer any talk OF delightful surprises.
The red checks Of the morning had given
place to u Slight palior and l,nguidness.
but these might we'll have been mistaken
for the effects of travel let us sit here
whi!e,n she said 'it is 80 sweet. Be
sides, an evening train has come in, and
there is u crowd at the station We will
wait till they 90 away"
Mrs. Atherton pointed smiIingly to the
fountain; "See your rainbow The one
of this morning was stormy but this
the old rhyme?'
There was not Il breathe of wind. All
airy motion had withdrawn, and given
place to an etlnl@ence Of color, and as the
water rose and fell Il stead!ast rainbow
crossed it brilliantly, fading off at one
side over the cross Of the Madont Il degii
Angel, and at the other touching the wet
grassy border Of the fountain in IL spot
that looked as if the fabulous pot Of gold
under the end Of the rainbow had not
waited to be dug tor, but had magically
risen into sight
They went to the seat where in the
morning Anne Francis had seen her nus
band sitting She sighed as she took his
place. laid her hand softly on the stone
bench where She had seen his hand rest II
moment. and looked down to search if
perchance there might be some footprint
in the gravel she could think he had left
No such sign was visible but there was a
withered, hail.opcn rose lying there in the
dust, that looked ns il foot might have
crushed it
My DEAR said Mrs Atherton gently,
your husband is coming, and in a mo-
ment he will see you. Now, don't be
foolish"
Was it the trampled rose, or the days
sad thoughts, or was it love starting up
and sweeping everything else aside? At
sight of him the only sign of trouble left
in her face was such rs the summer show
er leaves in the sky in passing-a few
bright drops to catch the sun, and the
grace Of Il tender mist lingering here and
there. He was walking slowly, looking
down with an expression Of gravity that
was almost gloom, but when near them
quickly, as if spoken to, lifted his eyes and
looked his wife in the face. 1t was like Il
cymbal catching the sun. After all, She
had not missed her delight.
1t was some minutes before the gentle
man could be made aware that he had Il
sister-in-law to welcome as well as a wife,
and the knowledge came Just in time to
picN tHt lHt t9hlI9 VI IuGStloiS which
would have been embarrassing at that
moment
Then, when the first compliments were
over, and the questions again became inn
mnent, Mrs Atherton had an inspiration.
Il have a whim which you two people
will be so good as to indulge me in She
said. "Anne and | left our luggage at the
station, thinking to walk home, but
changed our minds. Now, wish you to
show your gallantrN, Mr. Francis, by per-
mtting me to 60 myself to the station
while you remain here. | am an old trav-
eler, and | can speak a sort Of Italian In
ten minutes | will be at the corner there
with Il carriage to take you up"
She gave him no time for objections
but walked rapidly away. "Al's we'll that
ends WE'LL" she muttered. ''Ie's good
fellow. and as fond of Anne as need be- |
was afraid this morning, but III risk them
nown
You are come just in time, Anne" her