The banner-enterprise. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1883-18??, 1884-01-26

In this nervous state OF excitement she
came to the door. leading little Lucy, as
the carriage wheels grated over the stony
country road and stopped in front of the
old-fashioned portico. But Charles was
not there, only the driver, who touched
his hat with an awkward attempt at po-
liteness, as he descended from the box.
IF you please, ma'am, Mr.. Lynde
couldn't come; but he II be there to meet
you!' +aa,
More neglect! Alice answered not q
word, but the hands with which she tied
the ribbons OF Lucy's hat trembled sore~
ly, and her lip would quiver in spite of
the resolute little white teeth that held
it down.
The little ones laughed and chatted in
the carriage as it rolled along, exclaiming
loudly at the various objects on the road;
but Alice leaned back in the corner, pale
and silent, seeing nothing but the fantas-
tic visions of her own fevered mind.
Once or twice the idea crossed her brain
that the journey was rather longer than
she expected; but she did not reason at
all on the subject, relapsing at once into
her painful reflection.
Mammal Oh, mamma! What q pretty
placel chorused the three children at
once. There's a tall white statue back
ot those trees, and q fountain sparkling
like diamonds; and oh, mamma, such
beds of beautiful fowers!'
Alice, reused from her thoughts for
the instant, leaned forward and gazed cut
Of the window. Surely there was some
thing familiar 10 those green terraces with
their flights Of marble steps; in the Doric
columns Of the majestic stone piazza, be-
fore which the carriage suddenly came to
q halt.
I'm l dreaming she thought, looking
vaguely around her, or this really Beech
Grove?
She went up the steps. feeling as if she
were moving through the uncertain fanta-
sizes of dream. But in the vestibue
stood reality itself. in the shape Of her
husband, with face of bright, enraptured
happiness.
MY dearest wife I he murmured, fold
ing her tenderly 10 his arms, the time
has come for me to restore to you what
you gave up so cheerfully for my sake
years ago. Welcome once again to your
home, Alice
'HomeP she repeated, gazing up into
his eyes as if she scarcely credited the ev.
idence of her own senses.
Yes, home. / have purchased Beech
Grove. Alice, and furnished it just to suit
your taste. My cherished little wife, |
am rewarded now for the years Of econo-
my, the extra work, the self: denial which
I have been obliged to practice.
Charles, she whispered, growing scar.
let and pale alternately, was it this that
kept you away from me, that occasioned
your absence last week?
4 was determined to bring you here.
Alice, when | took you away from that
farm house. There have been countless
delays, innumerable difficulties; but |
have conquered them all. Welcome to
your home, my precious wife /
As he took her once more to his heart,
Alice's happiness was mingled with the
keenest pang of remorse she had ever
known.
Sitting in the handsome, familiar room
that evening, with the moonlight stream
ing through the stained glass windows,
her children asleep up stairs in the nur-
sery that had once been hers, and Charles
beside her, Alice vowed to herself the
best resolution wife can make-never
again to let the least shadow come between
herself and her confidence in her huss
bands love.