Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-11-16

Dora made an indignant gesture that her
husband could OF comprehend
Before they could say more, a servant ap-
peared with message from the Office for
MIR. Walton.
1t was long after midnight when he re-
turned from his counting room. His wife
was asleep, and he would not disturb her,
but threw himself on lounge in his dress
ing-room, to wait for day light, for in his
then state of mind he looked on sleep as
impossible.
He was mistaken, however, for just be-
fore morning he fell into a slumber that
lasted for hours.
When he awoke, Dora had breakfasted
and gone out. and again the pressure of
business detained him away from her until
after bedtime.
In the day, he had despatched her a note,
in which he tried to be as cheerful as he
could, and again he alluded to her aunt and
a year in Paris as a place OF refuge from
the present cares and annoyances of their
position.
She had no answer, sndsagain seemed in
deep slumber when he entered their
chamber.
"Poor darling?" he sighed, as he bent
over her lovely face. ''Such beauty should
have nothing to do with the coarse, hard,
real world. Would to God could have
screened you from sill its cares and sor-
rows !"
A hot tear fell on her smooth white brow,
and she seemed to stir for a moment, but
presently she was still again and he moved
silently away.
In the hurry and distraction of his forced
settlements, he had but little time for other
Thought; and yet it panied him bitterly to
know that his wife avoided him-for nearly
three days had now passed since they had
spoken together.
YEARLY he turned homeward on the af-
ternoon of the third day.
By giving up everything he possessed, he
would stand free from debt in the world,
and besr an honest name.
He had at once resolved on this course,
and Immediately afterward received an Of
fer of a position in the house OF an old
merchants friend of his fathers-who
warmly applauded his resolution. This
would be terrible change to Dora, and he
would make any sacrifice rather than have
her meet it. Paris would be an escape, and
painful as the separation must prove, he
would urge it with all the strength of his
unsel6sh nature.
He was weary and despondent, as he en-
tered the house. but he tried to meet her
cheerfully.
She was not there. A little note lay on
his dressing table, directed to him, in his
wife's writing, and filled with vague
alarm, he rang the belli ,forEher maid be-
fore opening iJ.
An elderly and trusty woman responded.
She was a sort of housekeeper and general
factotum OF Dora'e, and before MIR. Walton
could ask q question, she anticipated him.
'Mrs. Walton explained to the servants
| that business troubles would render it me-
cessary to give up the establishment at once,
| sir" she said, $50 she paid and dismissed
| them all, except little Minnie, the errand-
| girl, whom ehe took with her. / am left in
charge after the sale, sir.
Egbert looked bewildered. He could moi
understand his wife's possessing auch busi
ness abilities, and after turning her note
over and over again in his hand, he opened
it.
There was but one line.
"Oome to the cottage No. 9, Sherwood
Road. Dora. "
sherwood Road !" he repeated, as the
woman retired. "That is the road we drive
out to the river. What can Dora be doing
in cottage No. 9T
He lost no time in endesvoring to discov
or, and soon reached the designated locali
ty. 1t was row of pretty though humble
cottages, white in color, and surrounded b.
neatly cultivated gardens.
No. 8 was the centre one, and he haC
scarcely stepped on the porch, when thu
door flew open, and there, in tiny box o
an entry, very unlike their grand, tiled hall
stood Dora, smiling as he had never seel
her smile before.
She was dressed very plainly, and wore
white linen apron but, with all the aid o
silks and jewels, she had never seemed 81
beautiful to him.
"Oome in, DEAR" she cried, joyously-
f'come in, and see our new home, and don
say word, or try to kiss me till tell yo
all about it,"
They were in neat parIor, opening b
folding doors into small dining-room
both apartments being embellished by ba
windows and plenty of spring flowers
Everything was fresh, pretty and simple
very meagre, poor place. compared wit
the palace they had left, and yet home,
true, dear home, in the very best sense o
the word-for there stood it's mistress, wit
open arms, seeking her husbands love, /
womanly fondness, as a devoted wife.
Egbert Instantly disobeyed her oomman
by catching her up in his arms and pressln
her fondly to his heart.
"You must let me tell you'll" she ex
, claimed, struggling and painting. i" don
want to be loved until you feel that dc
serve 1t a little for being ashamed of my
self in the past-for living an idle self il
dulgent life, without a thought save for til
I qualification of my own folly and capricei
and merely regarding you as the ministe
| 10 hil I1N h6lu5n NduItgs hAASA4l NIASS N"J
ago, the story of your losses burst upo
, me, they we'll nigh stunned me, in thei
: sudden force. The awakening was painful
felt all 1 had failed to be as true wifi
and an unutterable hopelessness and sci
I reproach mingled with the knowledge.
was bowed to the earth, yet speechless
confess my error"
Egbert, eager in his new-found jo,
strove to interrupt her self reproaches, bl
:. in vain.
"You must know how bad I've BEEN
how stupidity selfish and exacUing-so as
appreciate my new and better self, she pr
o tested
"You we're always good-aIways Lowell
. darling" !" he cried, rapturously; "bu
q q somehow, you seem nearer to me now ths
q over before.
"That is because you are at home, al
y I'm going to be your housekeeper," sa
= Dora, laughing. "See our pretty cottag
and just think, 1t is all bought and paid f
by that pin money 1 never could get
= opportunity to spend, and that, besides
= we have enough to keep house economies
ly for year to come, you and and Mi
"a ME-"
II "This is delightful-this is rest after
y Storm my darling wife, cried Egbert, fon
- ly. sit is worth all that has gone.
II would not receive fortune in exchan