The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-10
The Cross Words.

The Cross Words.
Lucy, It you mean to sew on this but
ton, do wish you'd do i'll can't wait all
day
Tom didn't speak bit cross, only en-
phatic: but | was out Of temper that morn
ing, dmy head achod badly from sitting I'D
the night before. Tom had gone to sup
pcr-for the second time since our marriage
given by some of his bachelor friends
and had come home the worse for it. 1t
had provoked me intensely. So had to
follow him to bed in solemn silence, and
awokc none the better pleased after my
sleep on the morning just alluded to- TO
make the matter worse, just as he spoke to
me about the button, the knife with which
was cutting the bread for his lunch slip.
ped, inflicting a iceep cash on my hand,
and the baby awokc and set up her sharp
little cry from the cradle, all in the one
and the same moment.
You cant wait as long as I did last
night, reckon, 4 replied sharply, really
angry at last. Don't hurry me- do ali
| can, and more more than l am able to
do with one pair OF hands,.
Tom dropped his button and turned to-
ward me with startled 'Why, Lucyl'
Don't Lucy me- retortcd, throwing
down the bread and catching up the baby,
while the blood strcamed from my hand
over her white gown. You've done
enough-youve broke my heart! wish I
had never seen You'll wish l was back
again with my father and my mother
broke down with burst of hysterical
tears, and seeing the blood on my hand,
HntN I,
me.
Why, Lucy he said, his voice aid eyes
full OF tenderness, you've cut your hand
Why didn't you say so2 Here, give me
the child while you bind it up-see how it
bleeds.'
lie held out his hands for the baby, but
snatchcd ncr away and went on sobbing.
Don't cry, Lucy, he continued, strok-
ing the hair back from my forehead
please don't; I know have done wrong,
dear, but didn't mean to. fell in with
some OF the old boys, and they persuaded
nc against my will. But it's the last time'
Why didn't turn to him then and help
and encourage HIM? Because my mean,
tyrannous temper got the better Of my
woman's heart.
oh, yes I said, snccrlngly lit is easy
enough to make fine. promises. You told
nc the same thing before. How can you
expect me to trust you now?'
Tom was spirited and quick tempered:
great, loving hearted men always arc. He
sprang to his fe tlike flash, and before had
Time to speak Or think, had lett the room.
I tossed the child into the cradle, and ran
to the door, but it. was too late He had
gone. [ just caught glimpse of him
turning the corner.
went back to tic little breakfast room;
how blank and drcar it looked, and what
sharp, stinging thorn there was in the
very core Of my heart ! loved Tom and
he loved me- We had been married only
eighteen months, and this was our first
quarrel L snt down with the baby in my arm
needless of my morning work, and fell to
thinking. All the old happy days came
back, and one in particular, when we sat
in Dumberry wood. 1t was in autumn, and
all the world seemed in blaze of gold,
IS the sun slid down and the squirrels chat
tered overhead, dropping ripe nut now
and then into my lap, as | sat there with
the last rose of summer in my hair, knit
ting purse for Tom.
Lucy, he said, rs l wovc in the last
golden stitches, you've knit my love-my
very lifc-up in that purse. Tell me now,
before you fms it, how is it to be2 Am /
to have you and-oh! l wont think of it
even, Lucy, 1t would be too dreadful
mo, Tom, / answered, you are to have
the purse, and the hand that knit it too
Poor Tom he cried then Just like q child
he, the bravcst Man in the village.
"No fault in him, only a little too wild,
too fond of gay company but you must
tame him, Lucy, as your mother did me-"
That was my Old fathers advice on our
wedding day. My heart smDte ME dread
fully as recalled it to my mind that morn
ing. Had done my duty ? Had followed
the example Of my mother, who never let
fall an unkind word2
But Tom would be home to his dinner
The thought brought me to my feet. did
my work briskly, and went about cooking
just such dinner as knew he liked The
plum pudding was done to perfection; the
baby in clean slip, and myself all smiles
to receive HIM when the clock struck one
But he didn't como.
Iput by the untasted dinner and prepared
supper, and lit bright fire in the little par
lor. He should have a pleasant welcome.
But he did not come. Eight, 8, 10 o'clock,
and put by the untastcd supper, and baby
and went up to the nursery to wait and
watch. How the little thorn in my heart
pierced and ranked. Tom had broken his
promise, and my unkindness was the causo
Nothing else rang in my ears through the
long hours.
About o'clock heard noise below
and went to tho window. There was
man on the porch conld see him in8thc
dim light.
'Fom, Is that youS' asked softly, put
ting out my head.
Yes; open the door, hucy; quick, the
police are after me-
My heart sunk The police after Inn