The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-10-20
TO JEALOUS HUSBANDS.
:. BY FANNY FERN.

80 y
Percy, dear Percy, take back those bit.
ter words. as heaven is my witness, they
are undeserved by me. See, my eye
quails not beneath yours; my cheek
blanches not; stand before you this mo-
ment. with every vow made you at the
alter unbroken, in letter and spirit, and
she drew closer to him and laid her dell-
cate hand upon his broad breast. "Wrong
me not, Percy, even in thought"
The stern man hesitated. Had he not
wilfully blinded HIMSELF He had read
truth and honor in the depths Of the clear
blue eyes that looked SO unfinchingly into
his own. For moment their expression
overcame him: then dashing aside the
slender finger that rested upon him; he
left her with a muttered OATH
Mary Lee had the misfortune to be very
pretty. and the still greater misfortune to
marry jealous husband. Possessing
quick conversational powers. more mod.
crate share Of personal charms, would
have made her society eagerly sought for.
As soon as her eyes were opened to the
defect alluded 10 in her husbands charac-
ter. she set herself studiously 10 avoid the
shoals and quick sands that lay in the
matrimonial sea. One by one she quietly
dropped the acquaintances Of gentlemen
who, from their attractiveness Of prefer
ence for her society, seemed obnoxious to
Percy.
Mary was no coquette. Nature had
given her a heart; and, superior as she
was to her husband, she really loved him.
To most women his exacting unreasona.
bleness would only have stimulated to a
finished display of coquetry; but Mary
gentle and yielding, made no show Of op.
preston to the most absurd requirements.
But all these sacrifices had been unavail.
ing to propitiate the fend ofjealously; and
she sat, an hour after her husband had
LEFT her; with lips pressed tightly together,
pale and tearless. striving in vain. TO re-
call any cause Of offence.
Hour after hour passed by, and still he
came not. The heavy tramp Of feet had
long since ceased beneath the window;
the pulse Of the great city was still; silence
and darkness brooded over lis slumbering
thousands. Mary could endure it no
longer. Rising and putting aside the cur
tain, she pressed her face against the
window. pane as If her straining eve could
pierce the gloom Of midnight She hears
step. it is his! Trembling she sank up
on the sofa to await his coming, and nerve
herself TO bear his harshness
Percy came gaily up to her and kissed
her forehead! No! he was not exhilerated
with wine. What could have caused this
sudden revulsion Of feeling? Single.heart.
ed and sincere herself, she never dream
ed OF treachery.
Percy regrets his injustice" she said
10 herself "Alen are rarely magnanimous
enough to own they have been wrong"
and with the generosity Of noble heart,
she resolved never TO remind him by
speech or look, that his words had been
like poisoned arrows to her spirit.
The following day, Percy proposed their
taking "a short trip into a neighboring
town." and Mary, glad to convince him
how truly she forgave him, readily COM
Piled. 1t was lovely day in spring; and
the fresh air and sweet scented blossoms
might have sent thrill Of pleasure 10 sad
der hearts than theirs. '''3f
"What pretty place." said Mary
'.What spacious house! and how tasteful
ly the grounds are laid out. Do you stop
here?" she continued, as her husband
reined the horse into the anvenue.
"a few moments. have business here. .
replied Percy, slightly averting his face
.s.and you had better alight too. for the
horse is restive and may trouble you"
Mary sprang from the vehicle, and as
cended the spacious stone steps. They
were met at the door by respectable
grey haired porter who ushered them into
receiving room. Very soon little sal
low faced man. bearing strong resem-
blance to a withered orange, made his
appearance. and casting glance upon
Mary from his little twinkling black eyes
that made the blood mount to her cheeks
made an apology for Withdrawing her
nuSUdllu IUT D lew ulluutOo OAl OuonCSSS
to an adjoining room. @
As they left, respectable middle aged
woman entered. and invited Mary to take
off her hat. She declined, saying, "she
was to leave with her husband in q few
minutes" s,f W. 5@ III
The old woman then jingled small
bell, and another matron entered.
A..Better not use force,'' said she, in q
whisper. Poor thing! So pretty too
She don't look as though she'd wear q
straightjacket." n,s .t !,
The truth flashed upon Mary at once
She was IN a Lunatic Hospital! Fain
with terror she demanded TO see her hus
band, assured them she was perfectly sane
TO all OF which they smiled silently, ant
with an air that said, 1--WE are used 10 sucl
things here" 81
BY and by, the little wien faced docto
came in, listened to an eloquent appea
with an abstracted air, as one efwould tole