The midland journal., 1890-08-29

support herself in his arms, for her legs
refused to sustain her. She now asked
herself what desperate resolution she
would have arrived at If her husband
had not been there.
voice he asked:
"What do you wish of me, Teresa?"
In a gentle voice? Oh! yes, certainly.
But this voice was calm; while she, his
poor little wife, could not articulate a
word.
"See, see, recover yourself, my Teresa;
dear little one, recover yourself. Did
| you wish to say something to me?'
"Oh! yes, dear husband of mine," said
she, encouraged. MANY things, so many
; things! In the first place. wanted to see
you, you know; it is such long time;
five days, husband of mine; five days!'
Yes" said he, serenely. "And you
are well, my little Teresa? How beauti-
full you are! This red bow ON your hat is
very becoming to you."
"Oh! you can imagine! to come to see
you!' she explained, with smile half
| joyous and half moistened with tears of
| emotion, ''you can well imagine that
put on what suits me best"
They walked slowly beside each other,
and then went up little street.
| His wife pressed close against him, so
happy to find him again and to admire
him. Never had she known this emo
ton; it was new and perfumed breeze
upon her love.
80 my Orlando! if you would come
back-you would see how"
He interrupted, in voice that ad-
mitted no reply:
"That, never"
"Oh!" she exclaimed, in heart rend-
Ing tone, "then you are going to leave
me: You do not love me? What are you
going to do, husband of mine?"
why, | do not know. Join my father
at Valparaiso. You know, my voice has
returned; shall easily find employment.
Do not be troubled; shall find way out
of the difficulty"
"To Valparaisor' she exclaimed, in
voice that was hardly distinct
A sob stopped in her throat. And with
a face serious and deeply melancholy. she
said:
You speak like that of Valparaiso.
husband of mine; clearly understand
But l. your wife. who loves you, what
do you think will become of me if you
do thaty"
1t is true. The child was right; that
was something that he had not thought
of. Poor little creature! He saw only
his regained dignity.
And this poor, loving woman's heart
he had forgotten.
Il was not talking seriously, Teresa
mine. Forget it. l do not know yet what
l shall do; but fear nothing. Every body
lives"
Husband of mine, if you would come
back"
He answered seriously:
"Do not repeat that, Teresa l will
never return to your parents; that is
ended. If you should not understand
that, should cease to love you"
Eyes, yes, ask nothing better, and |
will understand anything you wish ME
to, my dear husband. But l must ex-
plain myself. You know, l am not a
man; know no artist except you. How
do you expect me to know? All that you
say to me shall believe; l feel sure of
it, you see."
She put into these words so much
touching grace, such desire to please
him, that the artist was moved.
"Then, my dear little wife. listen to
me-" said he. "Between us all can be
arranged, but we must live together. 1
wish to remain absolute master in my
home as the head of my family. Your
father is master in your home; he is, in
his right. Birds, you see, live in their
own nests"
"Orlando mine," objected the young
woman, timidly; religion commands
us, however, to respect and obey our
parents even when they are wrong"
"The wife should follow her husband,
Teresa. Religion says that, too, some
where"
"Oh, yes, would like it very much,
rs far as l am concerned. But, for this
evening, if you would come back nobody
will be disagreeable-you will see. Later
we will do rs you like"
''Let us say no more about it." said
Monteforte, decisively. "We will live
together only in our own home, though
it should consist of but one room, and
alone, you and l. If not, if you have not
the courage to live on our resources
alone, remain with your parents, as l
have no right to impose privations on
you. l shall love you none the less; but
have had enough of the life we have
been leading"
81 will do as you wish, you know very
well, said she. ''Give me little time
and you will see whether know how to
arrange our happiness. For today
She called the servant, who was fol-
lowing them, and placing the bundle in
Orlando's hands, she said:
'Here, husband of mine there are two
shirts, collars, handkerchiefs, stockings,
tiannels and napkins. Do not send any
thing to the laundry; / will come every
night to talk with you like this, and then
will take your soiled clothing-shall Il"
"Good little one," murmured the young
man, really moved now, 1--WE shall be
happy together. love you well. But
l love-you all alone"
He accompanied her to the foot of her
street.
Teresa slowly ascended the Salita Be-
fore her wandering eyes rose in her
memory the lofty stature, the expressive
and masculine head of this charming
husband who knew how to speak so
frankly and so tenderly sometimes, this
husband, the proudest and handsomest of