The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-23

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for her husband, !, was set aside his plate.
It was his favorite among many, and his
wife looked for pleased recognition
thereof, and lighting up Of his clouded
brow. But he did not seem even to no.
tice it. After supplying the children,
Mr. Winkleman helped himself in silence.
At the first mouthful, he threw down his
l1nifcsand fork, ,and pushed his plate
from him.
"What's tho matter?" inquired his
wife.
"You didn't trust Bridget to cook
this, [ hope ?" was the response.
"What is the matter with it?" Mrs.
Winkleman's eyes were filing with
toars.
ooh it's of no consequence, answer
ed Mr.. Winklcman, coldly; 'anything
will do for me"
sJames |" There was touching sad
ness blended with rcbuke in her accents;
and, rs she uttered his name, tears gush-
ed over her pale cheek.
Mr.. Winkleman did not like tears.
They always annoyed him. At the pres
ent time, he was in 10 mood to bear
with them. So, on the impulse of the
moment, he rose from the table and,
taking up his hat, left the house without
another word.
Self justification was tried, though not,
as has been seen, with complete success.
The calmer grew the mind of Mr.. Win
leman, and the clearer his thoughts, the
less satisfied did he feel with the part
he had taken in the mornings drama.
BY al inversion of thought, not usual
among men of his temperament, he had
been presented with n vivid realization
of his wife's side of the question. The
consequence was, that, by dinner time
he felt a good deal ashamed of himself,
and grieved for the pain he knew his
hasty words had occasioncd.
1t was in this better state of mind that
Mr.. Winklcman returned home. The
house seemed still as he entered AS he
proceeded up stairs, he heard the chill
dren's voices, pitched to a low key, in
the nursery. He listened, but could
not hear the tones of his wife. SO he
passed into the front chamber, which
was darlened. AS soon as he could see
clearly in the feeble light, he perceived
that his wife was lying OH the bed. Her
eyes were closed, and her thin face look
ed 50 pale and death-lil1c, that Mr.. Win
Neman felt cold shudder creep through
his heart. Coming to the bedside, he lean
ed over and gazed down upon her. At
first lie was in doubt whether she really
breathed or not, and he felt heavy
weight removed when he saw that her
chest rose in feeble respiration.
"Mary!" He spoke in n low, tender
and loving. voice.
Instantly the fringed cyclids parted,
and Mrs. Winkleman gazed up into her
husbands face in partial bewilderment.
Obeying the moments impulse, Mr..
Winlkleman bent down and left kiss
upon her pale lips. AS if moved by an
electric thrill the wife's arms were flung
around the husbands neck.
"I nm sorry to find you 50 ill.," said
Mr.. Winklemnn, in a voice of sympathy.
''What is the mattcr?"
"Only a sick headache" replied Mrs.
Winklcman. "But I've had good sleep,
and feel better now. I didn't know it
was so late, she added, her tone chang
ing slightly, and look of concern COM
ing into her countcnacc. "Im afraid
your dinner is not ready" and she at
tempted to rise.
But her husband gently laid her back
with his hand, saying "Ncvcr mind
about dinner. 1t will como in good time.
IF you feel better, lie perfectly quiet.
Have you suffered much pain?"
eyes" The word did not part her
lips sadly, but came with softly wreath
ed smile. Already the wan hue of her
cheeks was giving place to warmer
tint, md the dull eyes Frightening.
What healing power was in his tender
tones and considerate words ! And that
Hss-it. had been nectar to the droop-
ing spirit. "But feel SO much better,
that L will get up" she added, now ris-
ing from her pillow.
And Mrs. Winklcman was entirely
free from pain, as she stepped upon the
carpet, and moved across the room, it
was with a firm tread. Every muscle
was elastic, and the blood lcaped along
her veins with new and healthier i'm
pulse.
No trial Of Mr.. WinlSlcman's patience,
in lnto dinner, was in store for him. In
q few minutes the bell summoned the
family; and he took his place ut tho tn
bic SO tranquil in mind, that he almost
wondered ut the change in his feelings.
How different was, the scene from that
presented ut the morning meal
And was there power in few simple
words to effect SO great change as this?
Yes, in simple words, fragrant with the
odor of kindness.