Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-01-10

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was aware if separated myself from
him, would not be entitled to 'alimo-
n.y." l had nothing to plead against
him--at least, nothing that would look
well upon paper. He had never struck
ME blow (at least such blows as
are visible to the eyel. He had never
ised harsh or violent language to me.
1t would be utterly useless for me to
say that did not love him; that his cold
ness, neglect, and utter interpretation
had worn my heart away; that no accent
of tenderness ever fell upon my ear; no
word of commentator ever reached
me, strive | ever so hard to conserve his
pleasure and happiness; that the world
called me neglected wife, and insult
cd me with its cold pity; and that,
strive as would to Danish the thought,
/ knew the world was right. Yet
these things do not "tell' in a court
room.
Few men lose the love of WON II
who have once loved them, save by
their own folly or baSeneSS." John Les
ter Lad lost NINE through his own fol-
\ X.
Gould bear with it," l questioned
of my heart, as | sat watching James
broad face and my husbands utter un-
consciousness of my presence. Could
bear with it-all the coliness, forgetful-
ness and neglect? Could be contended
to have battered my fresh young lie,
high hopes, ardent aspirations after the
pure and beautifully intense yearnings
for things that arc not common, for this
miserable mess of pottage? l grew faint
with some strange weakness as thought
Of the years to come | could have for
given my husband that he was coarse
and unsympathetic, laying much of it
to the score of his defective education.
| could have chung to HIM through pow
erty, disease-ay, even disgrace, if so
be he had fallen under it; but | could
not forgive his GOODNESS, his meagre love;
his ungentle accents; his often woundlng
Of the sensitive heart he had sworn to
cherish. tried to think what was best;
to look things bravely iii the face; but l
shrank appalled, from the phantom
troop passing in review before me.
What had befallen me on this particu-
lar night that such glamour of pain
darkened my eyes? | had orne all this
for years-why this "Gever and fret?h
Alas! | was Il child then, unsatlsfed,
but scarce knowing what | had lost.
Now had grown suddenly to be n wo-
man, with my woman's heart clamor-
ing to be heard.
Meanwhile the night crcpt on, and
the great question was yet unsettled.
Darkness gathered over the faces | was
watching. Jane rose and flung few
dried branches on the fire, and a ruddy
blaze lighted up the hitherto cherries
room. / glanced at my husband. The
freight shone soft and warm on his
dark and not unhandsome face. My
poor hungering heart fancied there was
Il softening about the lines Of the hard
mouth. Oh! if Jane would but leave
the room-leave us for few brief mo-
ments alonel Perhaps | might yet be
able to reach the fountain of his slug
gish soul.
AS If i'll answer to my prayer-cvery
wish is prayer-Jane passed into the
kitchen.
instinctively smoothed my hair, and
glanced in the small mirror ornamenting
the old-fashioned clock on the mantle.
was handsome woman. Roses
| famed upon my cheek, and my dark
hair was glossy and abundant | had
| dressed 1t IN utcOnins rs>ahio,>, and
had attired myself in soft dark meri-
no. with il bit Of crimson ribbon at my
throat,
lmpelled by something, know not
4 a. ~
sat, and, knecling. laid my head upon
his knee.
SAY, Martha, girl, you jostled me,
and he went on reading his paper ~
uuconcernedly MS though heart were
not breaking at his feet. The aching Of
my brain almost strangled me, but !
would not be driven off. Oh, If he had
only laid his hand upon my head!
If he had only spoken one ten
der word
1T is prayer-meeting evening" Jane
said, coming in ere | had time to regain
my feet. Are you going tonight,
Marthag'
Yes, would 60 This last night" God
help me! / needed prayer.
John, will you 80 with NE" fal-
tered out, strange yearnlng possessing
me nj the last moment.
q No, am tired" he said, without
lifting his eyes from his paper.
Invent out into the darkness des-
perate, half-maddened woman. |
heard Jane say as closed the door
You should go out with Martha,
sometimes, john. People are beginning
to talk aboutit.'
went into the house Of God; but the
words of prayer fell with an unmeaning
sound upon my dulled ears.
The pastor took for his text the words,
d" Beloved of God'--that much heard.
Who were these people, beloved Of
God?" Not Martha Lester, tried, and
tempted, and soul-sick.
One or two Of my female acduaint-
ances greeted me, as they passed out,
leaning upon the arms of their hus-
bands. / saw one man draw the shawl
closer about the shoulders Of pale,
faded-faced looking woman, and my
throat filled almost to suiiocation.
II was bitter cold, but the winter
I 4 1. 10 III, h.9.