The Owosso times., 1881-10-21

week passed before Norrie was quite
ready to start. But from first to last
though they had been married only a
few months-neither husband nor wife
uttered word of regret at their ap,
preaching separation. .
Mrs. Parrish screamed Mrs. Stone
leigh in alarm, to lodger who oc-
cupied one of the rooms below; and the
little, pale-faced, fretful-looking wo-
man ran up with her baby in her arms,
oh, dear, what is the matter? Oh,
lpoor, young gentleman, has he hurt
himself?' for there lay Robert in a dead
faint on the sofa.
| Mrs. Stoneleigh's.l courage returned
now that she had some one beside her;
and she chafed the young mans hands,
and loosened his collar, and finally called
to Mrs. Paris to set the window wide
open.
The cold north wind came sweeping
in, rustling the newspaper that lay on
the black, smouldering fire until the
room was filled with smoke.
There, that's enough of air! said
Mrs. Stoneleigh. you may shut it
again now; dare say he'll soon come
to-
But whatever made him go off like
that?'
His wife, and Mrs Stoneleigh whis-
pered now, is lost, poor thing! He has
been looking at the papers every day
for news of the ship she went out in,
and it's wrecked! 1 was in the room
when he just said quietly-'All lost!
Mrs. Stoneleigh, do you hear that ?
and then he fell back on the sofa, and
was gone in minute
Il don't see that he need fret re-
joined Mrs. Paris in. hard tone, and
jerking her baby as she spoke into a
more comfortable position. The poor
young thing is better off, it is to be
hoped
He certainly had no great love for
her, added Mrs. Stoneleigh. Anybody
might have seen that
Ah! commented Mrs. Paris. 'Peo-
pie make no end of mistakes in getting
married. If they'd all keep single
they might do well enough; but as it
| is
oh. don't say that interrupted
Mrs. Stoneleigh. MY poor husband
and L were happy enough together.
My trouble is that have lost him.
And she bent over Robert again to
hide the tears that were fast filing her
eyes.
'Well,' said Mrs. Paris, discomfort
edly, we all have our troubles, L sup
pose. 1t is hard world, and there is
nothing whatever in it to live for that
1 can see,' forgetting apparently the
bright. happy-looking little baby-boy
she held.
Robert heaved heavy sigh now,
and opened his eyes.
Nothing to live forp he said in low,
far-away tones. who is it that has
nothing to live for?' And then very
suddenly came this second question
Have you anything to die for?'
Poor fellowp exclaimed Mrs. Stone
leigh, in half-whisper, but with look
of alarm, 'his mind is wanderingv
'Oh no, it isn't was the impatient
though faintly-spOken reply; cor if it is
it is wandering in the right direction,
which it hasn't done lately And now
he raised himself little. How did l
come here9 Give me that paper, will
you, Mrs. Stoneleigh?
But suddenly look of full recollec-
tion, mingled with, oh, how much of
regret and pain, crossed his features,
and sinking back and covering his
face with his hands, he groaned:-
oh, my poor, poor Norrie!-it is
hard to believe that l have lost herr
Swiftly and sorrowfully in thought
he went over all the years he had
known her. How gentle and loving
she had always beenl how little he had
deserved herl and he had only married
her because her mother had intimated
that Norrie thought more highly of
him than she did of anyone else, that
in short she loved him, and being far
from strong would, if she were depriv-
ed of his company, pine and fade away
as her mother feared, and never be her
bright. happy self again.
| Of course Norrie had never known
of this disclosure; yet very soon after
her marriage she had felt want, had
learned that whatever Roberts feelings
towards her might be, he at least did
not love her. Then her health had
given way, and she had to leave her
home.
/
And lol Robert had at once discov-
cred that he missed her, missed her
from her accustomed seat-missed her
sweet, gentle voice, her companionship,
her constant care for his comfort, her
love; yes, missed her sorely, and could
only comfort himself by thinking how
differently he would treat her, and how
earnestly he would distrive to make up
for all his coldness and neglect on her
return.
And nowp-Norrie, he told himself
over and over again, with bursts of
bitter grief which he vainly tried to
suppress, had gone from him forever
| in this life, just as he was beginning
yes, he owned it now--to realize how
dearly he Low ed her. Truly
what we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles we enjoy It; but being lacked and lost
Why then we rack the value, then we find
The virtue that possession would not show u,
Whiles 1t was ours
- -
Many months had passed away, ant
October had come again. .-.~,.. .grss
| 1t was bright, sdnshiny morning
The SQUARE i'm which Mrs StOnelei ul
lived appeared to be in an unusual ex