The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-22

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pain. 1t had never entered her imagina-
tion that he could look, with passing
sense of admiration, into any face but hers
that his heart could turn from her to
another for single instant of time. She
had perceived that he was colder, more
Indifferent, less careful of her pleasures
than in the sunny days of their courtship
and betrothment-but, that he could seek
another's society, was thing unheard of.
1t was proverb, this contrast between
lovers and husbands; and she felt she was
proving its truth. That was all. It was
an unpleasant truth, and hard to receive !;
| yet she saw no remedy. But now, by a
word or two, her friend has started her
into different view of the case. Was
her husbands heart really turned from
her? She was frightened at the remote
suggestion-for in his love lay all her
world.
"You are not really in earnest, Mary.
about seeing Harry riding out with lady
this afternoon 2" she said in a voice and
with look that revealed fully her state
of mind. The color had left her face, and
her heart shook in her voice.
Probably was mistaken, Bella" re-
piled the friend; "though had not
doubted the fact moment, until saw
you at the window little while ago."
Did you notice the lady very particu-
larly p
"No; but let the matter pass, dear
No doubt was mistaken. 1t is worrying
you more than / could have imagined" /"
Bella looked at her friend for some mo-
ments, in strange way, then giving
low, suppressed, wailing cry, bent forward
and laid her face upon her bosom, sobbing
and shuddering in such wild turbulence
of feeling that her friend became actually
alarmed
"You have frightened me !" said the
young wife, lifting her head at last, as
her excitement died away. "Ah, Mary,
if should lose my husbands love, it
would kill me !"
"Then, Bella" answered her friend,
{" see to it that you neglect none of the
means required for keeping it. If you
would continue to be loved, you must not
grow unlovely. The charms that won
your husband must not be folded up and
kept for holiday occasions, and then put
on for other eyes than his. You must
keep them ever displayed before him
nay, put on new attractions. Is not the
husband even dearer than the lover,
and his heart better worth the holding?
Look back, my friend, over the brief
moons that have waxed and waned since
you were bride. Put yourself on trial
and take impartial testimony. How has
it been Has your temper been as sweet
as when you sat leaning together in sum-
mer twilights, talking of the love. crowned
future? Have you been as studious to
please as then as careful of his feelings
as regardful of his tastes Do you adorn
yourself for his eyes now as you dressed
for his coming then? AS wife are you
as1ll0y Is ll0yabbllee. as .YS0g!. were when maiden ?
spoil the tender grapes, II you "'S"ss that
loves ripened fruitage. Love is not a
chameleon to feed on air, and change in
every hue of condition. 1t must have
substantial food. Deprived of this, it
languishes and dies And now, dear, |
have warned you. Meet your husband,
when he returns home this evening, as
sweetly as when he came to you in your
fathers house, attracted as the bee is to
the flower, and note the manner in which
his face will brighten up. Did he kiss
you when he came home yesterday"
The face of Bella blushed little.
Husbands soon lose the taste for kiss
ing" she answered, at the same time pat
ting her small foot nervously on the Brus-
sells carpet.
eff the wife's lips remain as sweet as
the maiden's-never !"
"Oh, you don't know anything about
it,'' said Bella. "Wait until you are mar
ried."
After the friends said good-afternoon,
the young wife went to her room and cried
for a good quarter Of an hour. Then she
commenced doing as her friend had sug-
gested. Refreshed by bath she attired
herself in spotless white wrapper, with
a delicate blue belt binding her waist. A
small lace collar, scarcely whittier than her
pure neck, edged and tied with narrow
azure ribbon, was turned away from her
swan-like throat; and Just below was an
exquisitely-cut oval pin. Her hair, rich
golden brown, had been made glossy as
the wing of bird, and was folded just
enough away from her temples to show
their delecate 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 new feeling at her heart.
feeling of blended fear and hope; fear
lest he was actually becoming estranged
from hear, 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
a glimpse of her through the window,
and knowing, therefore, that she was in
the parlor, came to the door and stood
there.
" Bless met" he exclaimed, after mo-
ment, show charming you look p
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, holding
her away from him, and gazing at her ad-
miringly. How her heart did beat with
a new delight!
"Dressed for company ?"
! There was just q little shade of cold
ness in Harry's voice, as he suggested the
probable rerson for her singularly i'm
proved appearance.
eyes" replied Bella.
| "Who ?"
"My husband, . in trembling voice.