The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-15

Her soft hand toyed with my locks and ner
warm breath caressed my cheek. leit inAy
my wisdom was rapidly expiring. Again
collected myself and assumed an air OF coiu-
ness.
Zone kiss, only one, and I will go!" sne
"Nonsense, Pauline! have no time tor
kissing"
She gazed into my face and asked: "Do l
vex youW
Exceedingly"
A sigh scarcely audible escaped her lips,
and she left the room.
For this morning at least I had destroyer
her cheerfulness. IT was the first clouo III
our matrimonial sky.
Years have passed, and l became con-
stantly less capable of compromising now
l could have SO persistently undermined tne
foundation of my peace and happiness, IN
stead Of building thereon life's content,,
ment. The next six months were perlod
of misery to me, and without doubt also for
Pauline; for she became pale and thin ana
lost all her spirits. My plan had succeeded
eXcellently well; she had learned to doubt
my affection for her. That was revealed 70
me occasionally by her stealthy, wistfui
glances and the manner in which she began
to occupy herself with Fido-as if she now
relied alone upon his love and faithfulness
Bat l was too proud to admit my wrong,
CNOh w GNU Aohy "AASAS~ -
breach.
Then the dog began to grow sickly; he had
grown old and feeble. She abandoned her
work and devoted the time taken from her
labor to the dumb brute. When life was
extinct, she bent over him. burst into tears,
kissed the white spot on his forehead, and
then closed eyes which, even in death,
seemed to regard her with affection.
Great as was her grief, she sought no con-
dolence from me. She provided for the
burial of Fido, who was inferred by the gar
dener close under the window Of our study,
She would frequently tarry by the little
mound, at which times gloomy reflections
seemed to agitate her soul. Now still,
while sitting at her desk, she often gazes
pensiyely toward the quiet spot. She is true
to him beyond the grave, because he had re-
NAMED true to her.
The year so auspiciously begun was ap-
preaching its end, when one morning was
amazed to hear Pauline singing merrilly; it
was the first time since Fido's death. Soon
thereafter l heard her coming toward my
room, and l at once affected pre-occupa-
ton.
1t was beautiful morning, and her en-.
trance seemed to usher in a happy sunlight.
Her face, too, beamed with that serenity
which it had in her girlhood.
'What is it?" asked, looking up from
my work.
She placed lovely little nosegay Of vio-
lets, tied with blue ribbon, before me, and
said: "See, George, these are the first viO-
lets Of our garden. l have something else in
petto, but of that hereafter"
And she stopped over me, placed her
hand lightly upon my shoulder and kissed
me. 1t was the first exhibition of fondness
she had voluntarily rendered me these many
days. I contemplated her in surprise and
said:
"You appear to be in an unusually happy
humor to-day, Pauline"
1T is somebody's birthday to-day" she
rejoined, as she sat upon my knee and gazed
into my eyes. "May heaven grant that some
one many happy returns of the day, and
and" she paused for moment, then con-
tinued in voice whose quiyering was not
easily concealed-"if during the past six
months all has not been between us as it
should have been, let us forget it all from
this day forth"
Silently she encircled me with her arms
and her head sunk upon my bosom. How
would it have been possible to remain in
sensible thereatp Kissing her silken hair, l
said that would gladly forget it all (as If l
had anything to forget but my own culpa-
biity !)whereupon she raised her eyes, smil-
ing blissfdlly, and thought, in sober truth,
that l was very magnanimous to her.
Z" Now, George, we will begin anew to-
day."
she proceeded, in her old way, to daily with
me.
Shah meet with credence when say that
hardly had my wife been gone five minutes
before began to fancy that / had let her
see too freely the influence she possessed
over me? For months l had practiced the
art Of appearing tranquil and Indifferent,
yet the first smile or kiss had proved suf-
ficient to overpower me. She had harrassed
me insufferably the last six months-as put
it to myself; therefor to grant her at once a
full pardon seemed to me at least matter
for consideration. So, when she returned she
found me absorbed in my documents.
some moment, If you pleasel" she cried,
taking the pen from my hand and holdingft
above my head. II have present for you
will you have it?"
"Why, certainly, if you will give it to
me-"
"Then beg for it."
I said nothing, and seized another pen.
That disconnected her.
'Don't you-want itr she asked timidly.
'tThere was once saint, named Francis
de Sales" began to sermonize, ''who was
wont to say that one should never ask for
nor refuse anything"
"You are no saint, and it was that spoke
to you. Will you accept my little gift?
Say yes-if it be only to please-to make
me still happier ON THIS DAY than already
am"
''Don't be so childish, Paulinel"
sit is childish, know it; but do me this
favor, Georgia. 1t is so little that / ask, and
yet it would make me so very happyw
81 shall never decline what you offer me.
But be good enough not to disturb me any
longer"
Scarcely had these words escaped my lips
when the present, an exquisitely ornamented
bronze inkstand, in the shape of Cupid,
lay at my feet. Pauline turned away, eXas-
perated and hurt. picked up the pieces.
"How! you stoop to get himW she asked
sarcastically.
"Upon my word, you are the most unrea-
sonable creature in the world !" exclaimed.
Fortunately the little love-god may be
mended."
''Yes, but wounds will leave scars. O,
George !" she continued, reproachfully, cast
ing herself down before my chair, "why do
you tempt me thus? Doyou really, truly love
me?"
"Pauline ~ said, impatiently, edo stand
up; this is getting tiresome."
She did so, but deathly pallor mantled
her face.
az will go: yet one question before. Do
you love me, GeorgieW
1 was a little fretful and very headstrong,
that was all. But did she mean to threaten
me?
"Did you love me when we first ex-
changed vows of affection~ she demanded.
"Of course. But"
"But you love me no longerW
"Well. since you will have it So"
"Speak! only speakp
81 don't love-exactly--in the way you