The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-03-29

IN the sweetest anu lTphlleSJ VI pdIuIcHls
So it was duly adorned in the whitest
and prettiest things, which insured
most satisfactory amount Of patronage
for our laundress and most appalling
bills for me. However, we managed to
keep anoat in some wonderful manner;
but Henry was beginning to have a
strangely careworn look, to which ! could
not blind myself. lie was worried and
harassed His business was all right;
but there were bills to be met, difficulties
to be disposed of which he could not
quite see the end of.
TO outward appearance, however, we
seemcda very prosperous pair. Our house
was now as elegant as our neighbors'. |
had thousand costly little triiles lying
about in the drawing got from
time to time and as usual not paid for,
some of which the storekeepers them
selves had pressed me into purchasing.
Sometimes a sharp pang shot through
me when | thought over our position,
and ! wished when we first set up that |
had had sufficient sense to persuade
Henry to do so more in accordance with
our income than we had done but it
was too late now we must tlsst to some
good fortune turning up. Henry had
hopes that his partners meant to promote
him; and if they were realized we should
be much better of. This idea was buoy
ing us both up, and we were feeling
sangune when Mr. Trevor the senior
partner, a peculiar man, who never al
most left his own house in Bedford
square, except fol the Office, announced
his intention Of coming to Amberley
Villas to dine, if we would have him.
In our anxiety to impress him iav0rably
we launched out into further expense.
He must be handsomely entertained, so
much might depend upon his visit. Ac'
cordingly, | arranged a most rcchcrche
little dinner, and had the table laid out
Ia russo to my entire satisfaction when
everything was completed, surveying the
preparations with the almost confidence
in Mr.. Trevor's verdict. But alas. for
lIenry's hopes and for my dinner. Mr..
Trevor came, partook very sparingIy and
silently of our hospitality, and departed
without having dropped one syllable On
the subject which we were so hoping he
would discuss.
Some ten days afterwards, the advance
in the business was bestowed upon one OF
Hcnry's juniors who had never dreamt
of getting it, We were terribly disap-
pointed, having counted so surely upon
an addition to our means; and when our
wrathful feelings were ut their height
who should suddenly walk in but Uncle
Jocelyal lie had never been in our
house since we were married. 1t was, in
fact, great event for him to leave Con-
ington, but the freak had seized him.
lie wanted to see his old lavorite and his
new grandniece, 50 he had come. He
only meant to stay for the day; in the
evening he intended to return home. In
nv inmost heart | was as fond of him as
ever; but his visit was ill-timed. could
not rally from my disappointment for
Henry. and our cares were now assuming
too serious an aspect TO be easily set
aside.
You have q beautiful little house
Kate" he said. 81 had no notion Henry
was such Il rich man."
"Hadn't you, uncle?" said, trying
to laugh uncOnstrainedly.
al am truely pleased TO see you SC
comfortable" continued Uncle Jocelyn
kindly. "This room must have cost
you a pretty penny, Kate and darcsay
you have nest.egg somewhere as we'll. u
ooh, it isn't very much," answered
really referring to the room, but as he
thought to the nest-egg; and imagining
| meant that the latter though of small
proportions, did exist, he responded most
cordially:
"Doesn't matter how small, Kate
there's plenty Of time to make it larger.
1t was no use undeceiving him, though
at that very moment an ominOus en-
velopc was delivered to me with the an
nouncement that the person who brought
it was waiting for an answer to which
returned the usual formula, that Mr.
Arden went out, but would call in day
or two. tried to look us Indifferent n
possible, but felt Uncle .JoCelyn's eye
were upon me, and my face cOlOred pain
fully, nor did my confusion escape th'
kind scrutiny. / felt thoroughly con
vinced he had drawn his own conclusions
Soon afterwards lunch was announced
and we descended to the dining. room
where Sophy my parlormaid had, TO III,
horror, arranged some of our best chin
on the table, with the best intentions
knew, meaning to impress my visito
with our grandeur, but little imagining
the real effect such superfluities woul'
have upon my uncle. He noticed
directly, and admired it very much.
Where did you get that figure ?" h
asked, indicating a lovely china centre
piece.
81 am not quite certain" replied
carelessly; "we have had it for som
time"
; "Was it very expensive?" pursue
= Uncle Jocelyn.
80 no, not very; at least | didn'
think So" answered, rccollecting wit
painful throb that it certainly had no
cost us much as yet, considering we ha
! not paid for it.
need not give all the details of Uncl
! .Jocelyn's visit. Suffice it to say that
was martyrdom that afternoon to me
and it was positive relie' when his kin
; old face vanished and | found myse
alone once more. He had gone away Il
doubt thinking our lines were in vel
> pleasant places, feeling assured not onl
of our property but of our happines
+ Poor deceived Uncle Jocelyn! He lit
u knew that | was just longing to thro
> myself into his arms and make a cles
= breast of all our extravaganza and cons
II quent troubles. How | euvicd hi
|, going back to quiet peaceful Coningtol
e How | wished Henry and were ju
one-haIf as happy as lie was!
However, our struggle then was ju
d beginning, for we sank deeper and deepe
y 1t was like Guicksand-the more '
II struggled the deeper we got. We dar,
l. not openly retrench-we lacked the MOI
& courage and our private attempts we
/, the mcrest drop in the ocean of tn
); mighty sea into which we had dritte
" a; rIy, on1 snrniv hpcause ve had at n