Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-01-18

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strong arm and loving heart, that fill
ed the measure of my lite.
What was it, then, that caused thrill
to so through me-a sort Of magnetic
rousing of feelings thought dead, but
which proved only slumbering. When
Joe came in one evening flushed and
eager, and, after his kiss of welcome,
while helped him pull off his great
coat, said
Mrs. Marmaduke is expected back
next week, little one. There will be
great doings up at the big house."
Little enough l care" answered,
quickly, the Aot blood flushing my
cheeks. "She's not likely to cross our
path"
Joe turned and looked at me keenly
then, seeming to check some words he
would have said. spoke slowly:
" She's not one to forget old friends,
Queenie." (This was nay husbands pet
name for me.) We won't 90 out of
our way to NEE. her, but if she seeks us,
we will welcome her as she deserves"
A shrug of my shoulders and pout of
my lips was my sole reply but would
not see the grieved look IA Joe's eyes
and gradually, AS | chatted to him of tho
days doings, and after supper nestled
down at his feet, while his hand stroled
my hair, it disappeared, and neither of
us knew that the little cloud, no bigger
than Il mans hand, had already appeared
upon the horizon.
May | come in - said sweet voice.
one morning, some two weeks later and
looking up, there, on the threshold of my
cottage door, robed in dainty silks, her
cheeks flushed with the morning all, her
beauty only increased by her matronhood,
stood Mrs. Marin aduke.
A. the same moment, in the little mir
Tor in the sitting-room, | caught sight Of
my own disordered hair, any sleeves roll
ed above my elbows, my face warm and
red for | had been busy over some
household tasks, and fear the contrast
lent no sottness to the tone in which |
bade her welcome. But she would take
no notice, accepted the chair protiered
none too cordially, praised my home with
such earnestness shat | almost melted,
and declared my appearance needed no
apologies, even saying:
How pleasant il must be, Nollie, to
have someth ing to All ones lite I Mine
seems strangely empty sometimes"
This she said with sigh, and my
woman's heart could but echo it, as hel
eyes, with that sad yearnng, glanced at
the tiny garments my hands were then
tashioning and she knew that soon my
life would be full indeed, while her arms
would remain forever empty, her mother
longing frustrated. Surely, surely, in
tais world, wealth is not all.
But forgot this when, after bidding
me good bye, and promising to come
soon again, she turned, US with an aiter-
thought, saying:
Tell Joe want to SEQ him, Nellie.
Ask him to come up some evening""
This sentence alone Of all she had
spoken, rang in my ears ; but when my
husband returned delivered it with mi
mute eXactness, watching him eagerly the
while. Was it only fancy that his cheek
flushed and his eye frightened ?
The next evening he came home tri-
fle earlier than his wont, and after supper,
while careessly rearrangng his dress,
said, suddenly:
If you don't mind being left alone for
little while, | will run up and see Mrs.
Maraaduks for an hour. Since she has
expressed the wish to see me, it may be
oil Importance.
" Certainly" answered, with m
much dignity as could assume. d" ANY
wish OF hers is Of importance.
Joe wheeled quickly.
:" II thought, Nellie, there was any
more of the old folly, l would blush for
us both"
1t was the first stern word that nay
husband had ever addressed me, and
though | repressed every sign Of emotion
until he had closed the door aAd h is foot
steps sounded down the path, the tears
then would have their way, and | SOB
bed out my heartaohe.
But Joe pretended not to SEQ their
traces, ON his return, and only told me
OF the splendor up at the big house, and
the gay party assembled there.
Why Mrs. Marmsduke had sent for
him he kept secret, and WAS too proud
to question.
She did not come again to see me, and
had almost forgotten my foolish fears,
when, enc aRtoraoon-I had gone out for
Il short walk along the buhs-I spied
two figures on the sand below.
One would have recognized anywhere.
The tall, manly form, with Its breadth
of shoulder and poiss Of head, could be-
long to no other than nv Joe.
But who was that beside him, whe, as
she talked laid ono little hand alf-pleed-
ngy upon his arm? Who but Mrs.
Marmaduke The slight, graceful figure
could not be mistaken.
l had seen all wanted, and retraced
my steps without one other glance, seek
ing the refuge OF my once happy home.
Could it be longer home for me
A half finished little frock, ly ing upon
chair, where l had thrown it when ris-
ing TO prepare for my walk, completed
the sum OF my misery, and catching il
up, covered it with ray kisses and tears.