The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-07
The Wife.

She was a beautiful girl when first saw
her; she was standing up at the side of her
lover, at the marriage alter; she was slightly
palo; yet ever and anon, as the ceremony
proceeded. faint tinge of crimson crossed
her beautiful cheek, like the rejection of
sunset cloud upon the clear waters of
quiet lake. Her lover AS he clasped her
hand within his own, gazed on her few
moments with unmingled admiration, and
warm and eloquent blood Swallowed at in
terva]s his manly forhead and melted in
beauty on his lips.
And they gave themselves to one anoth-
er in the presence of Heaven, and every
heart blessed them as they went their way
rejoicing in their love.
Years passed on, and again saw those
lovers. They We're seated together
where the light of sunset stole through
tint to the delicate carpeting and the ex-
quiste embellishments of the rich and gor-
geous apartment. Time had slightly
changed them in outward appearance; the
girlish buoyancy of the one had indeed
given place to the grace of perfect woman
hood. and her lips were somewhat paler,
and faint line of care was slightly percept-
ible on her brow. Her husbands brow,
too, was marked somewhat more deeply
than his age might warrant; anxiety and
ambition and pride had grown over it and
left their traces upon it; a silver hue was
mingled with The dark in his hair, which
had become thin around his temples, al
most to badness. He was reclining on his
splendid ottoman, with his face half hid
den by his hand, as if he feared that the
deep and troubled thoughts which oppress-
ed him were visible upon his features.
Edward, you are i'll to might" said his
wife, in low, sweet, half inquiring voice,
as she laid her hand upon his own.
Indifference from those we love is terri
BILE to the sensitive bosom. It is as if the
sun of heaven refused its wonted cheerful
ness, and glared upon us with cold. din,
and forbidding glance. It is dreadful to
feel that the only being of our love refuses
to ask our sympathy-that he broods over
the feelings he scorns to reveal-dreadful
to watch the convulsive features and gloomy
brow. the indefnable shadows of hidden
emotion, the involuntary sigh of sorrow in
which we are forbidden to participate, and
whose character We cannot know. The
wife essayed once more.
Edward, she said slowly. mildly and
affectiorately, "the time has been when you
were willing to confde your secret joys and
SORROWS to one who has never, trust, be-
trayed your confidence. Why, then, my
dear Edward, is this cruel reserve? You
are troubled. and yet refuse to tell me the
cause?"
Something of returning tenderness
softened for an instant the cold severity of
the husbands features, but it passed away,
and bitter smile was is only reply.
Time passed on, and the twain were sep
arSted from each other. The husband sat
gloomy and alone in the damp cell of a
dungeon. He had followed ambition as q
god, and had failed in high career. He
had mingled with men whom his heart
loathed; he had sought out the fierce and
wronged spirits of the land and breathed into
into them the madness of revenge. He had
| drawn his sword against his country; he
had famed the rebellion to q fame, and it
had been quenched in human blood. He had
fallen ,miserably fallen and doomed to die the
| death of a traitor.
The door OF the dungeon opened, and q
| light form entered and threw herself into
his arms. The softened hight of sunset fell
! upon the pale brow and wasted cheek of
his once beautiful wife.
Edward, my dear Edward" she said,
| II have come to save you; have reached
you after a thousand difficulties, and !
thank God my, my purpose is nearly exc
| cuted.'
Misfortune had softened the proud heart
! of manhood; and as the husband pressed bis
| pale wife to his bosom, a tear trembled on
his eyelash.
II have not deserved this kindnes, he
Edward, said his wife, in an earnest
but faint and low voice, which indicated
extreme and fearful debility, we have not
a moment to lose. By an exchange of gar
ments you will be able to pass OFT unno-
ticed. Haste, or We may be too late. Fear
nothing for me; I am woman, and the y
| will not injure me for my efforts in behalf
of a husband dearer than life ITSELF"
But, Margaret" said the husband, "you
look sadly i'll. You cannot breathe the air
of this dreadful CELL"
''Oh! speak not to me, my dearest Ed
ward," said the devoted woman; II can
endure anything for your sake. Haste, Ed
ward, and all will be well;" and she aided
with trembling hand to disguise the proud
form of her husband in female garb.
Farewell, my love, my preserver," whis-
! pered the husband in the ear of the dis
| guised wife, as the officer sternly reminded
the supposed lady that the time allotted to
her visit had expired.
| FAREWELL! we shall meet again." re-
epOuUeu tuo WIG; anu the HUSBAND passed
out unsupported, and escaped the enemies
| of mis- life.
| They did meet again, the wife and
husband; but only as the dead may meet,
in the awful communings of another world.
| Affection had borne up her exhausted spir-
it until the last great purpose of her exer-
tons was accomplished in the safety of her
husband; and when the bell tolled on the
| morrow and the prisoners cell was OPP ned,
the guards found, wrapped! in the habii-
ments of their distined victim, the pale but
beautiful corpse of the devoted wife.
THE REVISED TESTAMENT.
An Act of Parliament Necessary to Author