The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-03-02
miscel lanenus.
A LESSON IN LOVE.

1t was chilly day in the late au-
tumn. The leaves, sometimes one by
one, or, as light gust swept through
the branches, a score at time, fell
upon the damp asphalt walks of the
park, whittier our steps had led us.
We had not walked a great while,
my wife and /, but already l was ia
tigued, and l dropped upon a bench.
| did not ask my wife if she were tired
too. Because L was SO | thought she
must be. Silently she took her seat
beside me.
We had scarcely spoken to one an
other for half an hour In that happy
SUMMER of last year we had often walk
ed side by side for long time without
uttering a word. Then, hand seeking
hand, eyes trimming with love, meet
ing eyes which said, Il know" made
spoken words needless because made
quate. Now they would be meaning
less because of the effort required to
speak them.
watched my wife as with the point
of her umbrella she idly traced figures
upon the wet pavement. remember
ed that night when under the glory of
an August moon she had stepped out
upon the lawn to accompany me to
the bend in the walk Heavens, how
beautiful she was in that gown of
shimmering white, with a soft, fleecy
scarf over her brown hair Her eyes
shone like stars.
Now, in the dull light of this Novem-
Der day, she looked almost plain. Her
eyes were heavy, her expression list
less and unhappy. l felt strangely
irritated as looked at her. The en-
chantment, the mystery, the compell-
ing power of attraction, were gone
In their place were disillusion and the
WEAKNESS of the commonplace.
Under my keen gaze she raised her
eyes.
Il feel it, too" she said.
The words made me start. She had
read my thoughts then.
You feel it-what p asked.
"The cold. Did you not shiver just
now %
did not reply, for l scarcely knew
that she had questioned me. 1return-
ed to my reverie. Before | had
thought of myself; now | thought of
her Her romance was ended too.
Her heart no longer swelled at uneX-
pected sight of me. Her eyes no long
er grew luminous when they met mine.
Her fairy prince had ridden away.
Her radiant summer sun had set.
How must seem to her now? Poor
Margaret! My heart grew warm to-
ward her.
/ drew nearer her.
Eyes, it is cold,' said, as though
she had just spoken, and l laid my
hand upon hers.
"Shall we walk on - she said, en-
l., ~ la
ness.
"Whither % l asked.
She looked at me in surprise.
WHITTIER? As we were going be-
fore we stopped"
"Shall we walk in that way forever,
Margaret ?" | asked.
Her eyes looked helpless into mine
a moment, then fell downward. Her
mouth trembled slightly.
We were quite alone, with no soul
in sight. In the branches overhead
two little brown sparrows hoped
nervously about. A great wave of
tenderness surged over my soul. l en-
circled my wife with my arms and
laid my lips against her cheek.
Il am cold, Margaret, whispered.
Warm me at your heart"
A heavenly blush overspread her
face, and her eyes filled with tears. |
had never cen her look so beautiful.
did you believe your old lover
dead, Margaret p asked.
Il knew my love was alive" she
whispered thrillingly.
For minute we sat thus, and then
my wife gently disengaged herself,
but held my hands in hers.
Listen, dear one," | said. There
is a change that is growth, a change
that is petrifaction and a change that
is decay. Those two ecstatic beings
of year ago are merging into some
thing else. That is beyond their con-
troll, for it is the law. Let us not
blame one another-to do that is folly
and would only bring misery. Let
us rather help one another by molding
the changing form. Help me to crush
my selfishneSS"--
Help me to stife my exactions,"
she responded.
Teach me thoughtfulness and ten
dernesS."
"Show me the way to cheerfulness
! and courage.
at seems like litany," whispered
my wife. ,. &C.. :. To-
| son.
1.-The first. Will there be a second?n
she asked smiliugly.
Never while our change is one of
growth" replied.
"Only," she said, with another
beautiful blush, ''let us never grow
| away from one another
Hand in hand we walked homeward,
and still we spoke not, except as one
full heart speaks to another. And as
we walked the gray pail which cover
ed the sky lifted to let the setting sun
stream through beneath its edges.
In an instant the changing face of
nature adapted itself to our hearts
mood. We looked from the dazzling
radiance of the setting sun into each
others eyes and read there the sweet
| est promise of the earthly life.
Philosophy is but dry bread; men
| will not live upon it, however whole
[ some they require the succulent food
4.