The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-18
Miscellaneous.
BURNING TO DEATH IN HIS ARMS.

at was to meet such difficulties as this that
tontines"-- Bother
wrote the first sitting at my desk, and said
the last for Matte had bounced into the
room, run to the back of my chair, and
clapped her hands over my eyes, exclaming
"Oh, Dick, what shame And you
promised to come up and dress ~
81 do wish YOU would not be so childish ~
l cried, snatching away her hands. There
is blot you've made on my manuscript"
Don't be so cross, sir p she said, laughing
as she gave a waltz round the room, making
her pretty silk dress whisk over one of the
light chairs, which she merrily picked up,
and then, coming to my writing table, she
took a rose out Of basket of flowers and
began to arrange it in her hair
"I'm not cross" | said coldly, "but en-
gagged in serious work of mercantile and
monetary nature. You seem to think men
ought always to be butterflies"
"No, | don't Dick dear" she cried.
"Phere, will that do?"
She held her head on one side for me to
see the creamy rose nesting in her crisp dark
hair; but, after a glance at it, let my eyes
fall upon my desk and went on writing my
pamphlet. | saw that she was looking visit
fully at me, but paid no heed and she then
came and rested her hands upon my should
ers.
care you cross with me, Dick ?" she said
| softly.
Gross no d" | jerked out impatiently.
"Only thought l had married a woman
and she has turned out to be child"
There was silence then for few minutes,
only broken by the scratching of my pen.
The little hands twitched little as they lay
upon my shoulder, and very nearly wrote
down, instead of THE calculations arrived
at by the projectors of tontines"-
Orchard Marlow, how can you be such a
disagreeable wretch ?" But of course did
not write t--only thought-and then | felt
wonderfully disposed to turn round, snatch
the little graceful figure to my breast and
kiss away the tears that knew were gath
erng in her eyes.
Somehow or another though l did not do
it-only went on glumly writing-for | was
cross, worried and annoyed. | had set my
self a task that necessitated constant appli-
cation, and | was not getting on as | could
wish So like many more weak minded in
dividuals of the male sex, instead of asking
for the comfort and advice of my wife, vis-
tied my disappointment upon the first weak
object at hand, and that object was the lady
in question.
please, Dick dear, don't be angry with
me. | cant help feeling very young and
childish, though am your wife. ! do try,
oh so hard to be womanly; but, Dick dear,
Pm only eighteen and half
Thirteen and a half, | should say"
said, scornfully, just as if some sour spirit
were urging me on to say biting, sarcastic
things that | knew would pain the poor girl;
but for the life of me could not help it.
There was no answer-only little sigh
and the hands were withdrawn
went on writing-rubbsh that knew
should have to cancel.
Had you not better get ready, Dick ~
said Matte softly. "You said you would
come when | went up stairs and the Wilson's
won't like it if we are late"
"Hang the Wilson's p | growled
There was another pause filled up by the
scratch, scratch of the noisiest pens ever
used, and another little sigh.
Matte was standing close behind me but
| did not look round, and at last she gently
glided to a chair and sat down,
"What are you going to do, "Isaid roughly
"Only to wait for you, Dick dear" she re.
piled,
"You need not wait. Go on. shan't
come. Say I've a hesdache-say any,
thing"
"Dick, are you unwell ?" she said tender,
ly as she came behind me once more, and
rested her little hand on my shoulder.
"Ies-no, Pray, don't bother &c
on, Perhaps I'll come and fetch YOU
There was another pause.
"Dick, dear, I'd rather not go without
you" she said meekly, at last.
"And I'd rather you did 60 without me,
| said angrily. The Wilson's are our bes
friends and won't have them sighted"
"Then why not come, Dick dear?' saiC
the little woman, and | could see that sh
was struggling to keep down her tears,
| "Because I've no time for such friyolitv
There you've wasted enough of my time al