The Two Wives; Or, Lost and Won

hand upon her husband, and looking into his face with a

s of tone with which he spoke, nor the act of love which accompanied it, hide fro

t the hours when you are absent

There now, let your

after dinner, on the day that su

f the bar-room, a man named Carlton stepped forward to meet him, with extended hand. He was an old acquaintance, with whom Wilkinson had often passed an agreeable hour,-o

my soul! Where have you kept you

amiliar greeti

leasant face," returned Wilkinson, as he grasped

ay from the pure air and bright sunshine in a gloomy store, delving like a mole in t

, the locks of Wilkinson, in whi

head. "And you are growing as thin

ast. I've been too closel

hink or care about. Men bury themselves between four brick walls, and toil from morning until night, like prison-slaves; and if you talk to them about an hour's recreation for body and mind, all you can

s they turned away, Carlton drew his arm wi

prolong the pleasure of this meeting. Y

t just say

s indispensable. So, consider this a holiday, and think no more of bags, boxes, cash-book, or ledger. I bought a splendid trotter yesterday, and am goi

ter," said Wilk

l give health to your vein

res my attention. Yes," he added, after thinking for a few moments-"a customer promised to be in after dinner. He is

wered. "Let your customers call in the morning-always th

nce says di

so let your business and customers take care of themselves. Health is better than dollars; and length of

Car

on the shoulder as he spoke, in a familiar manner. "You're

but hurried self-communion, the end of which was a determination to ta

ttiest animal your e

as an

shall have a taste of his quali

o the stable where Carlton's new horse

xcited, but Carlton was calm and self-possessed. The former had been drinking freely; but the latter exhibited not the smallest sign of inebriation. A single five-dollar bill lay beside Wilkinson; a dozen bills and two gold coins were beside

th together, as the last five-dollar bill he had with

luck" against him, if

knowledge. But, as you say, luck was against you. And, by the way, what a curious and uncertain thing this luck is! I've seen men lose at every turn of the card, until they had par

r. Suddenly he stopped. A light flashed over his face. Then, sitting down, he snatched up

had selected four five-dollar bills from the pile beside him. Simultaneously with the motion of Wilkinson's

tempter. "Well, I do like a man who never can acknowledge himself beaten. The timid and

was made, and again the two men bent o

the money obtained from C

e twilight

inson. He had drawn forth his watch. "I had no i

d her last pleading injunction for him to come home early, and the promise he

order supper here?" said

nson. "It is an hour later than I supposed.

I think we'd better order supper here. The moon is full, and it will be almost as clear a

s, Wilkins

of ill-luck?" said Carlton, in a bantering way, as

l remained seated by the table at which they had

son, forcing a smile to his countenance. "Bet

ely through the world. Try

aken enoug

enough," returned the other. "I've often w

s mouth, only a small portion of the contents passed his lips. In replacing the tumbler on the table, he managed to give it a position behind the water-pitcher where the

remarked Carlton, in a well-affected to

watch, and, after glancin

utes aft

suppose. They don't understand the

e gold lever that Wilkinson, instead of returning to his pocket, retained in one han

either of the men spoke, but the th

Carlton ventured to say. There was a w

," was the repl

id it c

ed and for

good time

sn't varied a minu

d like to own. I've had terr

a kind

mbled on his tongue. He still kept the watch in his hand, and

ted to sell?" fina

t,"-said Wilkinson. He drew h

Mine is a very good watch, though not so valuable as yours. It keeps fair

nation of watc

do you say

espective places of deposit, and the two men proceeded to the dining-room. Here the traffic, just beg

sked Carlton, as they arose, about half

f you p

mptness of tone; a fact instant

Come-let's have a

airs, and renew their unequal contest. The sixty dollars which Wilkinson had received were staked, and soon passed over to his adversary. Rendered, now, desperate by h

nson started up from the table, exclaimi

am ruined. Carlton!" And he fixed his

worse than a tempter. Pure air and the bright sunshine! Is this your health for mind and body? Oh! weak, weak, unstable one that I

ength, he came down, and made inquiry for the one he had dealt by so treacherously, the man, who was sh

he asked, in a t

e didn't co

made a hurried search in and around the house. Not finding the object thereof, he muttered, in an under tone, a few wicked oaths; then, jumping into his vehicle, he