Year: 1859

daily ShoWerlng upon her.


BCt there was painful comparison in
the mind of that wife as she watched the
iutterings of golden winged canary in
its gilded cage The sense of imprison-
ment was keenly felt The bird was fed
and kept in royal slavery. And how
much better was she than the bird before
her?


We said that Mr.. Parker had not al
WAYS been so. There was a time-and it
could have been measured by years
when his sweetest smiles, and his softest
tones, were reserved for the magic circle
Of home. To fail of greeting his Agnes
with a smile. would have been an ofense
against his affection. To fail in kissing
her when he left her gentle presence,
would have caused the ghost of injured
love to haunt him through the day, and
stand ever by his side until his pentence
aud neglect were wiped away by those
neglected lips.


How the change came would be diff
cult to narrate Doubtless it was not in
territorial, but it was no less effective. As
sternness usurped the place of smiles and
moroseness took the throne affability had
'abdicated, the change made fearful havoc
in Mr. Parker's home Yet all this while
no cross words were spoken except by the
eyes and conduct of the husband And
Agnes, as she saw how Indifference was
gradually taking the place of love, as she
watched the complete engrossment of her
husbands mind in his business, grieved
in her heart at the black prospect before
her. She had set out with such high
hopes of welded bliss, such fair prom
ise of connubial felicity had been hers,
that the fall was all the more severe by
reason of the height she had once reach
ed With no heart to Sympathize in her
sorrows, she, too, had relapsed into grad
ual indifference, and-since on his part
there was no effort to scatter the clouds
so, on hers there was no desire to procure
them by the sunshine of affection.


This may have been, doubtless was, all
very wrong. Had she sought to win him
back to his old allegiance, the task might
have been an easy one The crust of
selfishuess aud world ways may have com
pletely covered his heart. But she gave
herself up to the tide, without an attempt
to stem it, The current at first was not
so strong but what few words would
have changed its course and returned it
to its natural channel But the few
words had not been said The seal on
her lips had done more to close the foun-
tain than all else. She had forgotten
wife's first duty, and hence all the ills
that had followed.


So grew up partial estrapgement Of
heart. The sympathics were not in com
mon, their feelings were not the same.
Not that they were wanting in husbandly
duty or wifelv faith. But there was a
link. once possessed, but now lost. Could
it be found and restored to It's position,
perfect harmony would be the result
Happiness would again brood over the
hearth-stone, and peace spread her white
unsulIied wings over them.


But the lost link Where was IT,
Could reward be offered forit? Could
they, by lighting candle, search and find
this priceless pearl? Under what rubbish
of years did it lay hid?
4 Father is coming"
E As he enters, the mother whispers to
Nellie and the child leaves the room. She
returns in a moment and makes some re,
ply. Mr. Parker looks on but says moth
ing.


Dinner will soon be served" said his
wife in answer to the thought that evi-
IDENTIFY engrossed his attention at the mo-
ment.


A few moments passed in silence. each
busy with their thoughts. He vexed at
the delay; she conscious of having given
no ofense, was irIitated at the morose
manner, gave up all idea of conciliatOry
measures, and SO wideued the breach
If at fault, surely she was pardonable.
At last the dinner bell sounded.
The meal was soon over and Mr. Par
ker rose from the table, took his hat and
was about leaving, when his wife asked
"What time will you be at home this
EVENING""


! cannot tell, was .he response" My
business may detain me longer than usual
f Why do you ask the question ?"
81 thought of taking Nellie out to see
5 her aunt Eunice."


"Well, you can be at home when l re-
: turn"


"If I knew what hour you would come
] up, yes"


r Mr.. Parker paused Then remarking:
"Well, be home early at any rate, left
: the room.


The uncertainty of the reply almost
tempted Mrs Parker to adhere to her in
( tention, aud pay the visit contemplated
L.. o -, o.,,art -. tr-n Cha ,nnnGnrnA o..o,