countenance. "I always feel so lonely when you are away. We only
have our evenings to be together; and I cannot bear then to be
robbed of your company. Don't go out, John; that's a good, dear
husband."

And Mrs. Wilkinson, in the earnestness of her desire to keep her
husband at home, laid aside her sewing, and rising, approached and
leaned her hands upon his shoulder, looking up with an affectionate,
appealing expression into his face.

"You're a dear, good girl, Mary," said Mr. Wilkinson, tenderly, and
he kissed the pure lips of his wife as he spoke. "I know it's wrong
to leave you alone here. But, I won't be gone more than half an
hour. Indeed I won't. See, now;" and he drew forth his watch; "it is
just eight o'clock, and I will be home again precisely at half-past
eight, to a minute."

Mrs. Wilkinson made no answer; but her husband saw that tears were
in the eyes fixed so lovingly upon him.

"Now don't, love," said he, tenderly, "make so much of just half an
hour's absence. I promised Elbridge that I would call around and see
him about a little matter of business, and I must keep my word. I
had forgotten the engagement until it crossed my mind while
reading."

"If you have an engagement." There was a certain emphasis in the
words of Mrs. Wilkinson that caused her husband to partly turn his
face away.