The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-02-24

like throat; and Just below was an ex-
quisitely-cut oval pin. Her hair, rich
golden brown, had been made glossy as
the wing of bird, and was folded Just
enough away from the temples to show
their delicate cutting Two open rose
buds-red and white-nestled in her
hair. She did look lovely and lovable,
as her mirror told her.
Harry was half an hour later than
usual in coming home. Bella was sitting
in the parlor when he came in, waiting
for his return with n new feeling at her
heart--a feeling of blended fear and
hope; fear lest he was actually becoming
estranged from her, and trembling
hope to win him back again. His step
was not very light. She noticed that,
for her ear had become newly sensitive.
He had caught glimpse of her through
the window, and knowing, therefore,
that she was i'll the parlor, came to the
door and stood there.
Bless me !" he exclaimed, after
moment, chow charming you look !"
And he came forward with pleased
smile on his face, and taking her hand,
bent down and kissed her.
"Sweet as a rose !" he added, hold
ing her away from him, and gazing at
her admiringly, How her heart did
beat with q new delight
Dressed for company
There was just little shade Of cold
ness in Harry's voice, as he suggested
the probable reason for her singularly
improved appearance.
Yes" replied Bella.
"Who?"
Ny husband" in trembling voice.
Harry was little puzzled, but great
ly pleased. 1t was true that he had
been riding out that afternoon with a
lady; a handsome, attractive woman, who
was throwing around his weak, almost
bovish. spirit, sirens fascination. She
put on every charm III her power to
summon; while the foolish wife was
hiding hers away, and taking no pains
to hold dominion in the heart she had
won, and was now in danger of losing
Five minutes before the companion of
his ride appeared to his fancy so charm
ing. in comparison with his wife, that
he felt no pleasure at the thought of
meeting one who, since their marriage,
had seemed to grow every day less at
.
of hearts again
And are YOU really dressed to re-
cciye me, darling =" he said, as he kissed
her again, and then drew his arm low
ingly about her waist.
. "Yes, for you. Could true wife
wish to look lovclier to others eyes than
her husband's?"
, "I should think not" he answered.
She understood, in the words, more
than he meant to convey.
There was rose-tint on everything
in Bella's home that evening. From
the cold, alf-indiiierent husband, Harry
was transformed to the warm, attentive
lover. How many times, as she turned
her eyes upon him, did she catch look
of tender admiration or loving pride.
"What has made you so charming
to-night?" he said, as he kissed her for
! the tenth time. You look as pure
and sweet as lily
. Glove for my husband" she an
swered, and then tear, in which joys
sunlight made rainbow, stole out
from the dropping lashes, and lay, a
/ crystal drop on her check.
/ She made no confession of her
/ thoughtless neglect of the means by
/ which hearts are held in thrall to love;
! though her husband half guessed at the
fact that something had awakened her
! to the truth.
On the next afternoon Harry rode ont
/ with lady again. but that lady was his
wife. He was never afterward in dan
/ ger of being won away from faithful
! love, for Bella grew in his eyes more
! attractive, more charming, more low
able every day, And thus she saved
him, in his younger and less stable
Years, from being drawn aside from the
right way; and both herself and him
from years of wretchedness.-CM Christian
m Work.