Year: 1879

at is home, darling. God grant with
us She word may lose none Of its mean
ing -


So spake Joe, as straight from the
church we had wended our way, with n
merry group Of friends, to the little cot
tage whore we were to begin the life on
which we had just received the church's
sanction and bessiAg.s


They had all left us now, and their
CHEEKY good nights and wishes for future
happiness were still ringing in our ears,
when Joe, barring the outer door against
the world, turned on the threshold, and
drawing me To his heart, said these sim
pile wa rds. But, oh, how they thrilled
me How gladly l buried my head on
his broad shoulder How joyousy felt
the pressure OF his strong arm as it held
me close How tevently prayed that
never, never 10y any act OF mine, should
prove them otherwise


1t was only cottage, four small rooms
in sll-two bed rooms, kitchen and
sitting room but in the latter the win
dow looked out on the broad waste OF
waters, and every night jos could catch
the CHEEKY gleam OF his owE hreside, and
the light set waiting for him, as he came
in sight Of shore.


For Joe was a pilot, and no one had
the erutation hs had wen. Ho and his
staunch boat always we're in demand,
whether the elernents we're at peace or
war. But, somehow, l had such faith
in his courage and skill, that no matter
how loudly the wind reared, or the wa
ters st0rmed, | never feared.


Joe and had been engaged three years
he would not marry until he owned his
home but had bsen SO happy in his
love, that the waiting proved short one.
Yet, as we stood together, and | knew
that it at last was ended, would not
have exchanged for queen IS disdem,


Come, little wife,, he said ut leCgth
"a and oh, how sweetly the name sounded
on his lips =" Let us inspect our pal
ace"


So, With his arm still around me, we
wandered through each room, psered iEto
each cup psoard, opened each door, and
wondered if we had not realized the
wealth Of Golconda's mines.


Six happy months few swiftly by (;
and when at the evening hour would
set my husband 8 slippers by the hearth,
his warm dressing gown lald invitingly
on chair, and Sit down to wait his com
ing, which. never failed at the promised
time, | thought nothisg-no cloud
could ever maMthe brightness OF the
present sunshine


In The years gone by, once-only once
il and had quarreled, and for a
time | had fancied all was over between
US.


The fact that my own conscieEcs pro
claimed me in the wrong, made this no
less easy to bsar, although pride kept
mo up, and persuaded me to give no out
ward sign.


1t was all brought about by girls
foolish jealousy, but it did not seem fool
ish at the moment, although it gave me
an insight into my own nature, and
showed me what dangerous fires might
be kindled there.


Annie Brener had been an old sweet
heart Of Joe's, and had resented some
attention shown her after our engagement
which, when explained, brought the
blush Of humiliation to my check, and
inwardly vowed never again to let the
green-eyed monster gain foOthold.


Now that 1 was Joe's wife, thought
it's nc longer even necessary to defend
the oatworks, since surely no distrust Of
my hus band could enter in.


Besides, Annie Brener was Mrs. Mar
maduke now, and rjde in her own car
rage, and every way her sphere was far
above mine. The year bsiors she had
gone abroad, too, and, there was a wais-
per OF her return, feit that between her
lordly house and Sur little cottage there
could be 10 interchange Of esurtesie5.


But did not envy her. Her husband
was old and exacting, SO rumor said