Some of my readers may inquire what kind of a husband my old school-mate
Charley Gray made; some will be ready to suppose that his young and
light-hearted wife at once worked a great and wonderful change in his
disposition; others, that failing in her endeavors to do so, she became
disappointed, sorrowing and unhappy. Neither of these conclusions is
entirely correct. Flora did not all at once change her husband into a
genial and social being; but her affectionate devotion inspired a
confidence in her which gradually extended to others, and has now
strength to say to the tumultuous waves of jealous passion "Thus far
shalt thou come, and no further," and I am happy to say that my sister's
cheerful and happy countenance does not indicate a sorrowful and
disappointed heart. Yes, Charley Gray is a changed man, and there are
deep lines of thought in his face, and a serene expression on his brow,
and a clear happy light in his eye, which all speak of the battle fought
and the victory won over the dark passions of his own heart. This summer
we are all together at Uncle Nathan's, and our time is about equally
divided between the old farm-house and the more elegant home of Aunt
Lucinda. All the usual accompaniments of such a season of joy and
festivity are here but the tremblings of emotion, the out-gushings of
the heart, the thanksgivings and gratitude, as we blend the sometimes
dark past with the bright present, and the rosy hue of the future, I am
quite unable to describe. Years have come and gone with their scenes of
sunshine and shadow since that glad reunion, we have each grown older
and I trust wiser. Sorrow has been experienced and tears shed, but
gentle hands have wiped away our tears and loving voices soothed our
sorrows, and now, dear reader, I leave the actors who have appeared in
the simple scenes of my story to pass onward, and perform their allotted
parts in the great drama of life.