Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-17

determined to let tho future atone forth
past. Would that my resolve had been
carried out! ........
But Willis patience was almost god
like. Often and often, when returning
from long days work, he would find
cheerless hearth-an unprepsred board;
a wife sitting with folded hands, or
thrown upon a couch, with eyes which
testified to recent tears.
His kiss of welcome, never failed,
and soon the logs would crackle upon
the hearth, the steam singing from the
kettle, while with tender, anxious SOL
icitude he would arrange every thing for
my comfort. But I was blind, and only
hugged my grief the closer.
Il grew sullen, moody, silent, until one
night when little Eva was 6 months old,
burst out into bitter reproaches and
repintng against the man who in his
selfshness would ask any woman to
share such a lot.
lit was your own choice, Mary" Will
answered. "God knows l wish now yon
had chosen differently"
Yes, I chose it,v l replied ;"but you
knew what it was and did not. You
swore your love should be my protec-
tion. Against whati Loneliness, dis.
comfort, poverty' Yes, oil those and
more but you covered the pitfall with
flowers and staggered blindly in"
Hush, Mary" Will said, and bis
voice grew strangely hoarse. "You
may one day recognize the injustice Of
your words and bitterly regret them"
II shall never regret them: l have
but one wish left-that l were dead"
Wells face grew very white as he rose
from his seat, reached for his hat, and
went out into the night.
Baby and l had been long in bed when
he returned, threw himself dressed as
he was upon the couch in front Of the
fire.
The next morning l found all ready
for breakfast, but Will gone, Somehow
the food choked Inc. could not eat.
Never had the long hours of the day
dragged so slowly, though would not
let the icy waters melt which flowed
about my beart.
After l had put little Eva into her
nest, and the tea-things had been clear.
ed away, Will said, very quietly:
"Seth Brown starts for the East to-
morrow, Mary, and l have put you and
little Eva under his charge. He will
take good care of you on the journey,
and, as the snow is melting fast, l think
there will be no delays upon the road"
What do you mean 2" l gasped out,
as a dim consciousness of all his words
purported flashed through my mind.
"Only that YOU are gong home" he
answered. II have made q grievous
mistake. do not think I quite clearly
understood it until last night but
when Seth told me to-day that he start
cd tomorrow at day break, it was as
though way had beoR suddenly open
ed for me. l cannot give you back your
freedom, my wife, but you shall at least
wait the good time of our prosperity,
without enduring present hardships.
Home! father! mother ! friends! This
was the picture his words presented.
Not the desolate life left behind-the
cheerless home, the silent baby-voice to
rend the fathers breast-as accepting
unhesitatingly his great sacrifice,
began my preparations for the morrow.
The sun had not yet risen when the
sound of wheels told us the moment of
parting was at hand.
There had been little time for words
during the night, and my husbands lips
were now SO white so rigid set together
that it seemed as though no sound could,
force its way through.
One instant he pressed me in his arms
with convulsive passion. then he laid
baby Eva in my embrace. and turned
back into his deserted home.
saw Mr.. Brown glance curiously at
my dry eyes and face, which betrayed
no emotion. felt none. 1t was as
though had been turned to stone!
All day we rode, stopping for the night
at wayside hut lay in the darkness,
with my child pressed close to my heart.
she stirred in her sleep.
Papa" her baby voice lisped; and,at
the call, my heart gave great leap, and
woke to lifo.
What had done 2" On, to undo the
to cast myself at his feet, and sue for
forgiveness. What were homeland
all home meant-withOut him