Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-05-11

aAngelsir replied Jenny.
You must have brought me-and you
NAV have killed YOURSELF" cried Roland
glimmer Of Intelligence beginning to light
up his eyes.
Is Roland, dear, am not dead yet. don't
mean to die, by heavens good viii. And
now am going to pull of your boots
"Oh, Jenny
But remons,rance was idle He was thrust
hack on the pillows, and his boots removed,
with great difficulty, and many tragic -four
ishes and solemn remarks concerning his in
ordinate vanity in wearing such tight ones.
Poor Jenny, in the Joy OF their escape, strove
TO make merry.
She was saying, as she put them away,
that she would next get him into bed and
make him a cup OF c,,ffee; and Roland was
struggling TO free himself from the blank
cts, and vowing that he would have no more
nonsense, when the room began whirling
around her feel so ridiculously faint"
she said, as he started up; and the Dext mo-
ment she had fallen into his extended arms.
Her first sensation on coming to herself
was consciousness OF intense comfort, min
gled with luxurious, drowsy wish that II
might last forever. Present time hao laced
from her. She fancied she was child
again, tenderly borne upon her mothers
breast, and nesting among soft pillows. She
heard the lambs bleating upon the green nill-
sides, the brown thrush singing In the sweet
briar hedges; the perfumes OF clover blossoms
aud Of June roses seemed softly TO sweep
over her, touching her face like cool, sweet,
shadowy hands, and she nestled closer among
the pillows and slept
Her next consciousness was that Of man
STUN bling over a chair, and utteriDg in con-
sequence a mild imprecation. She opened
her eyes. The gray light Of the late winter
morning filed the little cabin. She was
lying in one OF her best nightgowns, tucked
up i'm high state on the sofa; and 1t was the
tea kettle she had heard In her dreams, and
the cologne water ON her face and hands that
had seemed to her like the breath Of simmer
fields Close beside her was the armchair
where Roland had sat and watched through
the night. Her boots and snow-wet clothes
were strewn recklessly about the floor; wine,
camphor, the coffee-pot, and the ehapped-
hands lotion occupied the table; the bath-tub
was tilted up by the wood box; the wardrobe
bore evidence of having been turned topsy-
tnrYy and David was calmly slumberlng on
her best shawl. The devastating power OF
man bad been let loose in that orderly little
house.
must have lost his way as they did.
Roland Hardy, awkwardIy busy after mans
fashion, and alternately regarding his wife,
lest his movements had awakened her, looked
half bewildered. His manly face was softened
by a look Of the keenest and tenderest solie-
itude, interspersed with perplexity as to the
household arrangements. He had just
poured some water into the tea-kettle, and
was looking helplessly around for the cover
80 On the top Of the cofiee-mill, DEAR"
spoke up Jenny, encouragingly. And she
was surprised at the weak, tired sound OF her
voice. t fflf A8G
He came swiftly to her side and knelt down.
Jenny drew his head close 10 her breast.
" Dear hearth she whispered, am so glad
we are alive"
1t was a lorg while before Roland spoke;
and when he did, 1t was 10 choking voice.
:" ] talked To you like rufiian yester-
day."
alt all came back TO me in the night;
and, with IL, how you dragged me out OF
the jaws of DEATH Yous saved my life,
Jenny"
because your life is so dear to me! Twas
only selfish, you see." a ....r,
"And you risked your own 1ife," he con
tinued, softly ~ ought to have cut my
tongue out, Jenny, before saying TO you
cross word Oh, my best and sweetest"
A beautiful blush stole over her face,
smile parted her lips.
I" Roland, you know it was all my fault, all
my temper. But, my dear, think this night
has cured US both of ul-temper forever. And
oh how delightful seems TO me the home
here that j grumbled at"
Yes, it no doubt read an effectual lesson TO
both OF them There are enough real ills in
life without creating imaginary ones. And
this true picture Of day in settlers exist
ence may perhaps serve as a lesson to US by
making us more contented with our own civ
ilized lot.-1he Argosy.