The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-08-29
ON matrimonial Shiprecks," by Mrs. Mallard.
PLEASANT MATRIMONIAL SCENE.

Your toilette is complete, is il notg asked
Sir Phillip, cn'ering his wfes dressing room
some moments after the events Just recorded; !;
for Kate had been summoned long before Ma
riam uutted her medilations at the window
to commence dressing for dinner.
\ Quite, was the brief reply.
Then your maid can be dispensed with,
presume! wish 10 spesk to you
Justine you may CO. Kato quietly said,
without condescending to answer him; and as
tho door closed she dropped into an easy chair,
which she drew towards the fire, though the
day had been delightful for outdoor exercise
the September evening felt chilly, with her
pretty foet encased in q black satin boot on
tho fender, she sat quite prepared for anything
he might please to utter.
When man sees his wife taking things cool
ly, he is sorely puzzled how to get on with his
harangue. He walked up and down the room
for few moments, during which time she sat
perfectly composed.
Did you speak? she said at last, resolved
at any risk to break the unpleasant, silent pre-
face.
i am going to do so, and seriously was
his reply, laking chair opposite to her, but
without approaching the fire in comfortable
sort Of way, as when two are going to indulge
in a cozy chat.
No. no sat cold and apart one arm on the
table looking at her. She half turned round,
with sarcy but quiet case of manner, as if to
say, Now let US begin, and who's tho winnerY
i wish to lay a case before you for your qui-
OF Judgment, he said at last
Il have to thank you for esteeming my judg-
ment OF sufficient weight to do So was her
answer.
"A lady, foolish, sentimental idiot Of q wo.
maj pld IN ha haf
i don't think wisdom always increases with
age, it grows very owlish and stupid some
times; that is probably why that bird is chosen
to represent it,, she placed!y interrupted.
ALLOW me to continue without your very wit
ty observation, until the end"
Il beg your pardon, thought you were go
ing to amuse the with some piquaat anecdote,
seeing my mistake will listen in tranquil sto-
ldity of intellect to your talo of some old wo-
man, who, presume lived in your shoe
Your insolence, Lady Montgomery. will not
divert me from duty however painful, burst
from him at last.
She merely shrugged her shoulders, and
he continued. "A lady some few years since, was
silly enough. from some absurd idea of femn-
shing her sons to robust, mind 10 throw him
into the society Of his tutors daughter; in fact
they were domiciled for a lenght of time to-
geiher. The lady was sufficiently-I really
can scarcely find term to qualify her blind
ness.'
Call 1t arrant folly che Interrupted.
well then call it SO; she was mad, foolish
enough TO suppose, that merely brotherly sis
torly affection would be the result
Mad indeed! uttered this reckles woman.
He continued, affecting not to hear, but his
color chaDged: Time flew onwards and this
girl was thrown into tho society of an honora-
BILE man. who-pitying her state bcreft Of a
mothers care, with sick helpless father, and
it must be all admitted, not at all unselfish, for
be had feeling nearly akin to love for her,
one that might have ripened to that-murriod
her."
Kate, with perfect composure. stopped and
secured the lace of her prodeguin.
Instead he continued, raising his tone, in
deep indignation at her coolness, of any feel
ing of gratitude on her part, no sooner his wife
than she commenced series Of acts, a comb-
nation of beartlessness and want of all respect
for herself or her injured husband, 10 every
compromising herself, with the companion of
her girlhood.'
How a'rociously i'll you tell n story, my
dear sir Philip sho said impatently. you
make one quito nervous with your a lady,
Tho tutors daughter The son. Pray do,
your is and cross your Is! Give us names or
shall fill up the blanks? What do you say,
for example to Mrs. Adair, 'Richard,' Kate
Bateman.' and the injured husband-why, Sir
Philip Montgomery? and she laughed sarcast-
icaly.
by Heavens, madam, your cool daring makes
me question your sanity. Bot as you have
chosen tho names under their banners we will
discuss the point. And Sir Philip, tell Kate
Bateman that
Stop, Sir Pblipr she cried, rising with dig
nity and leaning one arm on the mantle piece
81 am Lady Montgomery now, whatever
was; and-if you forget my title-permit me
to tell you, you have little right to complain If
ceasing to remember it, for one happy dream
am Kate Bateman.'
He strove to speak but she waved her hand
almost imperiousy and continued-'You are
not perfectly correct in your version of this
tale. Sir Philip found. sought, pursued Kate
Bateman into her humble homo her exertons
had created for a sick father; he drew her into
public, wooed her with professions of affection
which she felt from gratitude she should learn
to return tenfold-for she believed him. We'll
then. they married, and all her powers were
| cxerted to make him return for the affection
which she deemed had selected her, from all
Others to share his title and fortune. All wa;
sermngly bright around her. When she look
co upon ldtueTe inproNcu etutc oue oiosseu the
author; when her husband was absent, she
watched his return, To meet him with the hap
py thoughts her heart had gathered, from mem
orics of his Kindness" Her voice grew lo0
and trembling as she uttered those words
Recovering herself, she hastily added fixing
her gaze in stern coolDcss on tho motonles'
| listener
| Now, let us see tho reverse Of this picture
Scarcely have thoy re-entered society together
when she hears tho whispered or loud buzz
around her of Sir Philip married hor from pi
que, because Marian Lincoln rejected hir
with scorn and, in proof Of the sincerity of Tho
worlds words this once. his wifo he sighted
for Miss Lincoln, coldly or harsl'ly to; does
she wear q color or dress to please him, shc
is counsolled to model herself after heartlesl
unprnciped flirt, who refused the mans hon
orable offers to receive the homage of his dis
honorable overturesl Now, Sir Philip, yoI
read the true version, may it please and bcne
fit you!
Benefit me, madam! in what?'
by showing you what you havo lost an'