The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-12-14
THE LIFTED CLOUD.

"Rosa, darling, are you quite happy
II ever cause you "a moments unhappi
ness may wear horns forever, like my
hendish prompter. Father and mother
dote upon you; won't you try to low,
them, pets'
Thus spoke young and handsome hus
band to his beautiful bride during theil
honeymoon, while on visit to his par
ents.
The youthful Rosa folded her hand,
meekly over her bosom and answered
solemnly:
Wilbur. thy people shall be my peo.
ple."
So far good, but soon misunderstood.
ings and heartaches, arising from con.
flicting tastes and habits, overshadowed
their little romance.
The happy couple became tired of
visiting and, disgusted with boarding,
then they went to housekeeping, and.
having ample means, furnished their
house in elegant style. Rosa was salts
fed, but thought that one more picture
was needed to fill certain vacancy on
the parlor wall, and whenever she ex-
pressed a particular wish for ANYTHING
Wilbur, lover like, was quick to CRAFTY
1t. One day she was surprised and de-
lighted to find that he had placed one
there. She was a woman of cultivated
tastes, and was really shocked upon ex-
amining it more closely.
1t was representation of the death of
Washington-the mourning family with
different expressions of grief upon their
countenances were grouped around the
dying hero; negro, black as night,
peeped from behind the drapery of the
bed, while above hovered the goddess of
liberty with a sorrowful, half averted
face. 1t was painted in glowing colors
In most execrable taste.
Rosa turned away in dismay, and met
the smiling eyes of her husband, who had
entered unperceived.
"What do you think of it, dear?' he
pleasantly inquired.
ut is the most horrible daub ever
saw" she replied, scornfully.
"Daub, Rosar The painting is some
what faulty, admit, but the design is
fine, is 1t notS Observe the figure of
Liberty mourning the loss of her cham-
pion."
"Indeed," said his wife, mischievously,
81 can't decide whether the goddess is
weeping over the dead general OF over
the intensely black negro, who appears
to be wiping his nose upon the curtains.
/ suppose this is ono of your jokes, VIII
bur, but pray remove this unsightly blot
Immediately, lest some inopportune Wis
itor happen in and shame u.s."
"No, Rosa; / intend it shall remain"
he replied emphatically; sit is very
impressive picture"
Very" said she sarcastically, "noth-
ing can be more impressive than death
Scene-it is especially suggestive for the
walls of parlor."
"Rosar'
"Wilburr'
"You are fool" he exclaimed, with
rising anger.
Then I'm not a suitable wife for
gentleman Of discriminating tastes and
politeness," she retorted with bitterness.
Then she rushed to her own room,
threw herself upon chair, flung her
arms half across the table and burst into |
a storm of hysterical sobs.
All their little variances rose to her |
mind; how very singular that Wilbur |
should admire this odious picture; she |
had often heard his judicious comments |
upon various works of art; never before
had she known him to be SO deficient in |
judgment. Surely there must be some
hidden motive for such conduct.
What could it beI The longer she en-
this idea the more convinced |
she became that there was mystery at
tached to it, and feeling of jealousy
was aroused in her heart.
While indulging in the luxury of this
good cry a lady friend called and she was
obliged to calm herself sufficiently to re-
oeive her.
Dear Mrs Plant, she exclaimed, pit
eously, II am very unhappy; Wilbur has
called me a fool--and IL thought that
the first year Of married life was always
the happiest."
"Not always, dear Rosa; it takes years
30 learn the ins and outs of each others
character, as well as to assimilate in
habits and tastes, but don't be disconso-
late; love has as many lives as the pro-
verbal cat"
"You can joke, Mrs. Plant, but 1 feel
my heart is breaking"
"Well-well, dear, one of the most
pangs that can affiict the
sensitive heart, disseminating forever
the bright illusions of life, is the first
doubt Of the idol of our affections, (" re-
piled her friend, laughing; "but serious
ly, Rosa, ] am a veteran and have passed
through many a slight skirmish. Come,
cheer up; your heart is tender, but not
past mending, You must go home with
me over the river; dare say that irate
husband Of yours has already eaten his
way through a whole bill of fare. De
pend upon it, If he starves his love for
! while, he will not starve his stomach
Rosa accompanied Mrs Plant to her
handsome home, leaving word for her
husband that she would return the next
day. While crossing the ferry her friend,
noticing her sadness, sought to divert
her thoughts from that dreadful epithet
If fool" which she said was ringing in
ler ears continually.
Rosa" she said pleasantly, "you must
rot allow trifes to worry you 50. Men
IRE tickle creatures at best. Let me tell
7ou a secret; it may be helpful to you.
II was not my Charles first love; you
ook incredulous, but he himself told me
Ill about it-when in his Goth year he
'ook fancy TO pretty girl and visited
her frequently, finding her more attrae-
i've and interesting upon each visit.
"Of curse Il was impossible even to
pint at marriage just then, as he was
only a clerk upon very small salary in
sssds but ChaTlis wan . wise ehap-hs
lsla11ainsa y wail pahently 0nhl ~