The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-11-10
SELECT STORY.
TEN YEARS AFTER MARRIAGE.

bed.
Mrs. Howland did not feel inclined
10 return TO the family sitting room,
where she had lef. her husband. but re.
mained within the chamber with her
sleeping little ones in musing, brood
ing, unhappy state Of mind. Something
Of eoldness and alienation had been
growing up between her and her hus-
band for long time past. The old ten
derness Of manner which had been so
sweet was all gone. He was kind,
thoughtful 10 regard TO her comfort,
honorable and true. but getting more
formal and less aHectionate in manner
every day. Ills wife, who had loved
him very ienderly, and still loved him,
had failed 10 give her life adequate re-
sponses to hls--had. in the fret and
fever Of disciplinary existence, suffer-
cd herself TO work amid disturbing and
discordant elements instead Of taking
her place servnely by his side. And so,
harmonious things had been permitted
to jar, where all might have peace.
II was pressing upon the mind Of Mrs.
Rowland that her husband had ceased to
love her, and this conviction was taking
all the sweetness out OF her life. Ii did
not once occur to her that she was herr
self growing unlovely, that she had laid
aside nearly all the external things by
which, when q maiden, she had sought
10 win him-ihe sunny countenance. the
alluring voice and manner, the scrupul-
ous attire, the Difference to his taste and
opinions, the guard upon her temper,
the womanly elevation Of character that
made her seem M one who ruled in the
Kingdom Of her own soul. This was the
being he had loved, this was the woman
he had taken TO walk with him through
life. Alas, for the fading idea! lie had
found, instead, one who made scarcely
an effort At sslf-government, whose feel
ings and impulses were her springs oi
actions. Deeply, passionately she loved
him. but not wisely; selfabnegating
love pleases both itself aad the object of
its devotion. Without some change on
the part Of Mrs. Rowland, il was i'm
possible for them to grow together again.
For nearly half an hour after her
children we're asleep the mother sat in
her wretched mood, apart from her hus-
band, aud feeling no inclination to join
him.
"All love has died." said she, II am
nothing now" And as sbe said this her
heart shivered with an instructive reali.
zation Of what her words involved
Then fear for the loss OF q thing &c
precious as husbands love seized upor
her soul and inspired new purpose. A
love worth winning was surely worth ar
effort TO retain. And was not the wa,
to win the way 10 keep? A new ligh
broke into Mrs. Howland's mind. Sh
began to see things In herself that wer
very far from being in harmony witt
her life when q maiden-things tina
would certainly have repelled lover
and were they bonds for & husband?
These thoughts startled the awaken
ing wife. Then old memories were re
vived, bringing back old states, picture
warm with the hues Of love came out {
the dim past.
"Ts the cup broken and the wine spill
ed?" she asked of herself "God fol
bidp came from her lips in due utteI
ahce. Then she left the chamber whel
her children slept, and with silent fe
went slowly towards the apartment
which she had left her husband alone.
On the way she paused, stood still 4
moment, then returned. The gas w
burning low. She threw up the lig
and caught reflection Of herself in d
toilet glass. One glance sufficed. Th
was not the style in which she sppcar
before her lover. Taking down her ha
she applied comb and brush rapidly {
some moments, and then arranged t
glossy masses with taste and skill. Ne
the soiled and tumbled wrapper was
moved and her person attired in ne
ly fitting dress, around the neck
which was laid snowy linen col
fastened BY a small coral pin, her h
bands gift Of other days. Already
cheeks we're filed with a glow and
eyes filed with light. One long gla
Mt herself IN the mirror revealed a w.
derful transformation. How the
memories were crowding in upon
How soft her heart was growing! Fl
full OF tenderness was every Thought
her busbandl Her lips were aihirst
kissesl
And now Mira Rowland left her cb;
Der again. Her slippered feet gave
sound as they moved over the car
and che came TO the open door of
sitting-room without betray wing sigl
her approach. There she stood still
Mr.. Rowland was not at the table r,
ing, ns she had left him, but at his Sc
tary which was open. He was inclil
his head on one hand and gazing
upon something held in the other,
seemed wholly absorbed. For n
than minute he remained in this
ed attitude, his wife was as still as
self. Then long sigh trembled or
air, and then lifting the object to,
which his gaze was directed, Mr.. T
land pressed il to his lips kissing
most passionately, three or four Ii
A wild throb leaped along Mrs.
lands veins. Then her heart grew
as in the presence Of some unknown
s,upendous evil. Something imp
ber to spring forward and read this
terry, and something as strongly he'll
back. As she stood, pale now; and
tremor, the object was kissed again
then returned to daawer in the SCI
ry, from which il had been taken
this act, for an instant, the miniAt,
lady met the gaze Of Mrs. How
Locking the drawer her husban,