Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-25
CHE sturp Teller.
THE FIRST SHADOW.

year of patient waiting, had she moved to
ward this blessed estate, all her thought:
golden over, all her fancies radiant with love
and beauty. And now she was brides
happy bride. =. He who had won her, was
worthy to wear her as crown. Kind, hon
orable and gifted-his praise was on the lips
of all men. :, -,
Yes, Ida was happy bride. 1t was the
blooming, fragrant spring.tlme: Singing
birds were in all the trees, musical waters
glided through the peaceful landscape; and
cloudless sky bending over all. The bles'
sedness of this new life was greater than she
had ever imagined, in all the warmth OF her
maiden fances. ,,
A moon had waxed and waned since the
lover became the husband moon dropping
the sweets of Mount Hybla. 1t was evening,
and Ida stood by the window, looking out
through the dusky air, waiting and wishing
for the return of her husband, who was later
than usual from his home At last, her glad
eyes caught glimpse of his well;known form,
and starting back from the window she went
with springing steps to meet him at the door
opening it ere his hand could ring the bell.
"Dear Edward!" What gushing love
was in her voice! She raised her lips tor
kiss, and kiss was given. But somehow, its
warmth did not 60 down to her heart.
care YOU not we'll, dear ?" she asked, very
tenderly, as they entered their pleasant little
parlor: and she looked up into his face and
tried to read its expression. But the twilight
was too deep.
"Ouite as we'll as usual, love-" The voice
of her husband was low and gentle; but it
had new and changed sound for the young
wif's ears-a sound that made her heart
tremble. And yet, his arm was around her,
and he held one of her hands, tightly COM
pressing it within his own.
II Grew dark in the room before the gas
was lighted. When the strong rays tell sud-
denly upon the face of her husband ida saw
q change there also. 1t was clouded. Not
heavily clouded-but still in shadow. oteadl'
" and earnestly she looked at him, until ne
turned his face partly away, to escape the
searching scrutiny: -,
"You are not we'll, Edward" Ida looked
serious almost concerned. -,
Don't trouble yourself I'm very we'll.
He smiled, and patted her cheek, playful
" or rather, with an attempt at playfulness:
Ida was not deceived. A change had passed
over her husband. Something was wrong. he
was not as he had been.
In due time tea was announced. and the
little family party of two gathered around
the table in the neat breakfast room.
Burnt toast aud dish water tea, as usual y
These were the first words spoken by the
Young husband, after sitting down to the ta'
BILE: and the manner in which they were
uttered, left Ida in no doubt as to his state
of feeling, How suddenly was the fine gold
dimmed
"A few hours earlier the young husband
had called in to see his mother, an orderly,
industrious woman, and notable housekeep.
er. AS usual, he was full Of the praise OF
his beautiful young wife, in whom he had
seen nothing to blame-nothing below per-
fection. But his mother had looked on her
with different eyes. Living in the world was,
with her, no holiday affair, and marriage no
honeymoon She was too serious IN all her
views and feelings to have much patience
with what she esteemed mere playday lie.
A little Jealous of her sons affection, she
was, withal and it going forth to another,
with an ardor so different from what it had
ever gone forth to herself made her feel cold
toward the dear little wife Of Edward, who
was its favored object.
ut is time," she said, with distance OF
manner that surprised her son, "tor you and
Ida to be little more serious. The honey
moon is over, and the quicker you come down
to sober realities the better. There IS one
thing about Ida that rather disappoints me-:
: Edward was too much surprised at this
UNEXPECTED annunciation to speak. HIS
mother went on,
"Shes no housekeeper
= "Shes young, mother. She'll learn" ne
said, interrupting her.
"She had no right to marry until she knew
how to make cup of tea !" The old lady
spoke with considerable asperty.
Mother p
81 saw lust what I mean. Not a single
cup of tea have yet tasted in your house,
that was fit to drink l don't know how
you can put up with such stuff You wouldn't
have done it at my table, I'm very sure"
please, mother, don't talk so any more
about Ida! | can't bear to hear it.
You can't bear to hear the truth, Ed
ward. speak for Ida's good and your own,
too. She's wife, now; not mere sweet
heart. And she's your housekeeper besides,
with something more to do and to care tor,
than dress, music, party going and enjoy
ment. must say, as l said a little while
ago, that I am disappointed in her. What
are girls thinking about nowadays, when
they get married?' Surely, not of their hus-
bands household comforts
"If you please, mother, we will change the
subject" said the young man, who was ex'
ceedingly panied by the strong language he
had heard. He spoke 50 firmly that the mat.
ter was dropped, and not again alluded to at
the time.
We have, now, an explanation of the
change in the young husbands state OF mind.
There were some truths in what his mother
had said, and this made it so much the har'
der to bear. The first shadow had fallen,
that dimmed the brig ghtpess Of his new and
happy life.
eyes, even after they were pointed out by ms
moher-were things of no moment. lie
had not intended her for household drudge:
Was she not loving hearted, accomplished
and beautiful What more could he ask
True he had intended her for the presiding
genius of his home and there were sober,
matter of.fact things to be done in all homes.
But her devotion to these would come in
good time. 49,,
How Edward came to speak as he did
about the tea and toast was, almost on the
instant he had given utterance to his words,
a mystery to himself He started with the
start he gave his young wife, and trembled
for the effect of his unkindly uttered words.
LII 4 o q.