The Baltimore County union., 1883-05-12
EsTRANGED.
\ MATRIMONIAL EPISODE.

As the horn sounded the call to
breakfast Caleb Sterling came down the
path which led from the barn to the
kitchen door, foaming pail of milk
in each hand. The Kitchen looked
pleasant and coy. 4 cheerful fire
burned in the brightly.polished stove,
by the side of which, in soap box, a
Maltese cat was contcntedly purring TO
four small kittens. Geraniums bloomed
on the window-sills, and the row of tins
hanging above the long dresser shonc
as brightly as soap and sand could
make them.
The breakfast was hot and savory,
and the small, dcl;ca,e.looking woman
sitting behind the big coffee pot was
very fair to the sight, with her large,
dark blue eyes, curly hair, low, broad
forehead and regular features. She was
neatly dressed in dark blue flannel,
made simply, and relieved at neck and
wrists BY linen collar and cuffs, and
protected in front by large white apron.
Pleasant as was this picture of home
comfort, the stern, angry look which
Caleb Sterling's face had worn for sev.
cral days past did not relax. He sci
the pals on bench, washed his hand,
in a tin basin at the sink, and withou,
word took his seat at the table.
eSci,her did the wife speak. She
poured out her husbands coffee and
handed it to him without remark, and
in utter silence accepted the broilcd
steak and fried potatoes he offered her
The hired man had taken his break
fast an hour previously, in order that ht
might go to the village on an crrand
and the husband and wife were free tC
exchange the sweetest condolences un
heard. But apparently they had non'
to exchange. 1t was not until the mea
was ended that the strange, oppressiv,
silence was broken, save by the cla,,c
Of knives and forks.
Then, as he pushed back his chai
with great deal of unnecessary noise
and rose from the table. Caleb said
without looking at his wife:
"I'm going over to Squire Bligh's L
see him about that corn he wants me L
let him have. I'll be back before noon
and then I'll harness up and we'll g
TO Freestonc TO see Lawyer Kane.
sent him 4 note yesterday, making al
engagement for this afternoon; so W
won't miss seeing him."
And without waiting for reply h
put on his hat and ovcrcoat and wen
out.
Rebccca Sterling did not rise as he
husband left the room. She sat mo
tionlcss, staring down at the brcakfas
tray before her with eyes that slowl
filled with tears, and hard and bite
expression or her youthful face.
II was about to end, then, this wrang
ling between Caleb and herself. The
were to secure peace at the price OF
separation. In few hours they woul
be discussing the matter with lawyer
laying bare to him the domestic infcl
cities which had brought them to sue
a pass and deciding on the division
the property.
Caleb was generous-shc would nc
deny that-and he was sure to give he
even more than was her just due S
no fear Of future pecuniary distre'
troubled her.
Blu, she knew the separation woul
cause a great deal of gossip. Peopl
were always so ready TO discuss the pr
vatc affairs of their friends and neigl
bors.
And then there were mother an
Jane to be told. Rcbccca felt SUI
they would be justly indignant, an
would espouse her cause warmly whe
they learned all she had suffered
Calcb's hands.
And yet, now that she thought il a
over, what had been Caleb's exa'
offence?
Their arrangement had begun wit
the employment Of Jonas Stultz asmaI
of.all-work. Rcbecca had taken avi'
lent dislike to him, and had though
him too coarse and common to be a.
mitted into the family circle. Itwoul
have been quite rs easy to hire SON
one not so distasteful to her, she though
She ha6 no patience with the vulgaril
Of Jonss, and resented being brougl
into association with him.
| But Caleb had great regard 4
Jonas working qualities, and trcate
Rebecca's request for his discharge
an absurd whim not worth even a mi
ment's consideration.
This had angered Rebecca, and 81
had expressed herself very sharply an
freely on what she termed her husband
courageous tyranny"
Mutual recriminations and reproach'
had followed old dscores, ,trifling enough
and almost forgotten in the happine
and peace which had followed then
were recalled, expatiated upon an
made much Of. Time and renectio
did not mend matters. The wronl
each cherished seemed to oincrease rath'
than diminish as they were broode