The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-02-18

| Will get her room ready.
The husband looked at her earnestly,
saying:
Il hope tina. my wife will make my
cousin welcome"
you need have no fears" she sci :;
II shall never forget my duty"
He arose suddenly, and taking his hat,
left the house without the usual kiss.
This was the first cloud in the matri.
monial sky, and Mildred was miserable
all day.
When her husband returned. she has
tened to meet him, and throwing her
arms around his neck, she said:
II hope that you are not offended, ClNr-
ence."
II was a little hurt at your manner
this morning, Mildred; but it's all past,
love, and we won't talk about such folly"
-
The young guest arrived, and Mil
dred's heart was touched oy the sight of
the sweet pale face, and she resolved to
do all that she could to cheer the droop-
ing girl.
Bat Mildred was still disturbed, for
there was evidently confidence between
the cousins that the wife did not share;
and, most unwissly, she confded these
troubles to her bosom friend.
Il have always told you that there was
an attachment between the two" Ida
said; land now hope you believe me-"
"But she may have some personal
troubles that cannot be spoken Of to
every one; and you know, Ida, that Clar-
ence is just like brother to Lucy"
II don't see much that is brotherly
Mildred. You must know that there
should be no concealments from a wife,
Mildred; and / wouldn't stand it if were
you."
She hid her sorrows in het own bosom,
but there was chill creeping between
the welded pair, for the sacredness of
married lite had been invaded.
No pleasant chat now at the breakfast
table, for the two were unconsciously
drifting apart. 1t is 50 easy to disturb
the peace of welded life; and yet Mil
dred thought that she was performing
the duties of wife, by the most punctil-
ious attention to her husbands comforts,
but with such cold. averted face
Lucy received frequent letters, aud
whenever that was the case the TIVE cous-
ins were closeted together in the library
Then there was an icy coldness in the
parlor, and Mildred would retire early to
her room.
And yet the sight of Eucy'y pale and
often fearful face touched Mildred's heart,
for she WAS sure that there was some
heart-rending trouble crushing that deli
cate frame.
Once she came suddenly upon the
young lady in the library where she had
just read letter and was pressing to her
lips likeness of a gentleman, but Mil
dred conld not see the features.
But Lucy raised her eyes to Mildreds
face, and said:
"Just wait little while, dear friend,
and you shall know all my terrible story;
but can't tell you now"
"ImprudeniIy Mildred told the tale to
her bosom friend, who asked:
''Did you see the picture2"
mot plainly, Ida; but Lucy was great
ly distress d."
How do you know that it was not your
husbands picture?'
stop, stop, Ida; Tn sure that it can
not be--you must not say such dreadful
things to me any MORE"
In few days after this letter arrived
which prostrated poor Lucy. and oil that
she could say was:
Send for Clarence; 1 must go immed-
lately"
go where2" Mildred asked.
"Clarence will tell You; but it will kill
met will kill me-"
Sending for her cousin, be hurried to
the side of the sufferer, and after reading
the letter. he said:
"Poor. dear child! has it come to this?"
After they had seen her quietly in bed,
Clarence called his wife to the library.
and throwing his arm around her, he told
Lucy's sad story.
She had formed an unfortunate attach
ment to Horace Dunbar, much disap-
proved of by her friends; but she mar.
red him privately, and he had proved to
be man of utterly worthless character,
and having committed forgery. was
hidingfrom the law-hence the conceal
mept; but the last letter brought the in
telligence that he had been arrested. and
Was now in prison, awaiting bis trial.
I'm her troubles. Mildred, 1 have tried
to be brother" be said; land now you
must see how unjust and foolish were
your suspicious. for Lucy has always been
TO me Just like a beloved sister"
Forgive me. Clarence" she said;
show could ever harbor a single doubt
of one so good and trus2 But Ida"
"Yes, Mildred, a bosom friend has
made all our. trouble"
II am not worthy OF you Clarence, :
she sobbed out, "for how could listen
for one moment to suoh false friend?
But it is all done--I have learned ter
rible lesson; but it has taught me wis
dom.
Folding her in his arms, he said:
"And now, love, We are truly one; for
no Ida Bryant can ever come between Us
again, and we will be happy once more
in our quiet world of love"
mo Other bosom friend bnt my noble
, husband" she said "Hov could ever
be guilty of such great fault? But let
me tell You all, Clarence / was led
away by my own weakness
Il would rather not love, he saidi sit
would only cause you pain"