Year: 1859

My Interesting couple began lively
chat with their new companion; at least the
wife did. She put forth all her smiles, all
that battery of fascination with which she
had probably before her marriage won her
spurs on the field of conquest, and been
dubbed "a most shocking firt." And in
the shadow that gathered over the quiet
husbands face, / saw the reflection of that
which must often have bitterly troubled the
peace of the still more retiring lover. True,
the girl was doing nothing wrong-her new
friend was old enough to have been her faith
er, so no jealousy could be aroused; but
still she was taking her attention and con-
versation from her husband to give it to a
perfect stranger. She would not have done
SO had he been only her lover still. Alas
that woman should take so much pains to
win love, and so little to keep it I!


Each minute the young husband spoke
less, and his countenance grew darker
She only laughed and chatted the more
Foolish--foolish one! There came on a
heavy shower, and there was rush below.
Come with. us to the farther end; I will
find place for you, kindly said the blithe
young wife, turning back to the little old
maid. / thanked her, but declined. For
the world, | would not have prevented the
chance that, in the solitude of crowd,
some word or look might pass between hus-
band and wife to take away his gloom.
Yet when left the cabin, saw her sitting
between her silent, grave husband and
the disagreeable old man. =d5 5leF


l went to my quiet place in the stern of
the boat, and turned away SO that could
see only the turbid river and the dull grey
sky. 1t was as complete solitude as though
I had been on Robinson Crusoe's raft in the
midst of the Pacific. ponder over life
and its mysteries, as one does who is used
to loneliness-Who is accustomed to dwell
as it were en- a mountain top. seeing the
world and its inhabitants move below like
puppits in show. And herein does fate
half atone for ties riven and ties never for
med-tbat in such life one learns to forget
self, and al individual joys and griefs. loves
and hatreds are swallowed up in universal
sympathies.


I pondered much on the two young crea-
lures had left below; and, oman-like,
thought chiefly of the woman. She seem
ed to ne like child toying with precious
jewel, little knowing what fearful thing it
is to throw away love, or to play lightly,





must rest the Joy or woe of two human
souls for a lifetime. And passing from
this individual case, thought solemnly al
most painfully, of the strange mysteries of
human life, which seem often to bestow the
priceless boon of love where it is unvalued
and cast away. Uneonsciously repeated
the well known words, ''To him that hath
shall be given, and from him that hath not
shall be taken away" But my soul answer
ed meekly, 'Only on earth, and life is not
long--not longP'


And turning once more to the group of
my fellow-voyagers, saw the two in whom
took such interest. They were standing
together little apart, leaning on the yes
sel's side. He was talking to her, not an
grily, but gravely--earnestly. In the ex-
preston of his face l scarce recognized the
man who had borne smilingiy all the idle
jests, spoItive contradictions, and capriees
an hour ago. She tried them again for a
few minutes; but in vain, then she hung
her head and pouted. Some quick willful
answers came; l heard them not; but I
was sure of the fact from her flushed cheek
and sparkling eye as she disengaged her
arm from his. Mans patience is never
eternal, not even in the honeymoon; he
spoke TO her firmly, while his face darken-
ed into positive anger, and then there was
a sullen silence between them. ~


Time passed and still they remained in
the same position together, but oh, what
sea of sullen anger was between them Nei-
ther saw the others face; but saw both.
He stood gazingup into the leaden clouds,
his mouth firmly set and yet twitching ev-
cry now and then with suppressed feeling.
Was it perchance the bitter disappointment,
almost agony of the man who has with pain
and toll built for himself household hearth,
and finds it troden into ruins by the very
idol whom he hoped TO place there forever {?
a foolish girl wished to try her power, and
keep the honored husband a tyranized lover
still. Do you think what ii is used 10 do?
When you suffer your own hands to tear
down the fair adornments of idolatry with
which his passion has decked you, and ap-
pear before him not as engelic idea, but a
selfish sullen or vain women, little know
you that it may take years of devotion to
efface the bitterness produced by that one
hour-the first when he sees you as you arel


The young husband glanced only at his
wife but that was enough. The lower lip
that odious lower lip, which had first
awoke my doubts was the image of weak
pouting sullenness. But its weakness was
Its safeguard against continued obstinscy;
and l saw-though the husband did not see
that As she bent over the side tear after
tear dropped silently into the river. There
was hope still zgisHge9 s.ss GtH -rHe


She was leaning over the gangway. door,
a place scarce dangerous, save to the watch-
full anxiety of affection. However, the fact
seemed to strike her husband; for he sud.
denly drew her away, though formally, and
without any sign of wishing for reconciiia.
ton. But this oRe slight act showed the
the love-sh if she had on
ly answered it by one kind look, one word
Of atonement! But no; there she stood
lmmoyable. Neither would yield. I would
have oEiE.an Ia a.. szhisr,ar.I