Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-27
MISCELLANY A N Y .
THE WAY TO KEEP HIM.
BY MARY e. CLARKE.

/
"Out again to-night2" said Mrs. Hayes, fret
fully, as her husband rose from the tea-table and
donned his great coat.
"Yes, have an engagement with Moore; ]
shall be in early, have light in the library
Good night" and, with careless nod, William
Hayes left the room.
always the way" murmured Lizzie Hayes,
sinking back upon a sofa, ''out every night.
don't believe he cares one bit about me, now,
and yet we've been married only two years.
No man can have more orderly house, l am
sure; and never go anywhere; am not bit
extravaganza, and yet don't believe he loves me
any more Oh! dear, why isit9 wasn't rich,
he didn't marry me for money, and he must have
loved me then-why does he treat me with 90
much neglect % and with her mind filled with
such fretful queries, Lizzie Hayes fell asleep up
| on the sofa.
Let me paint her picture as she lay there
She was a blonde, with small, graceful figure
and a very pretty face The hair, which showed
/ by its rich waves its natural tendency to curl
was brushed smoothly back, and gathered into
| a rich knot at the back; at was such bother
to curl it," she said her cheek was pale, and
the whole face wore discontented expression.
Her dress was neat chintz wrapper, but she
wore neither collar nor sleeves; "What's the
use of dressing up just for William 2"
| Lizzie slept soundly for two hours and then g.
woke suddenly. She sat up, glanced at the
clock and sighed drearily at the prospect of the
long interval still to be spent alone before bed.
time.
The library was just over the room in which
she sat, and down the furnace flue, through the
registers, q voice came to the young Wfes ears
| it was her husbands.
| swell Moore. what's a man to do2 / must
have pleasure somewhere. Who would have
fancied that Lizzie Jarvis, so pretty and spright-
ly. and loving, could change to the fretful dowdy
she now is? Who wants to stay at home to
hear his wife whining all the evening about her
troublesome servants, and her headache, and all
sorts of bothers2 She's got the knack OF drawl-
ing whine SO pat that. pon my life, | don't be-
lieve she can speak pleasantly"
| Lizzie sat as if stunned. Was this true2 She
Hooked in the glass. II not exactly dowdy, her
costume was certainly not suitable for an even
I ing. even if it were an evening at home, with
only William to admire. She rose, and softly
went TO her own room with bitter, sorrowful
Thoughts. and firm resolution to win back hel
husbands heart, and then, his love regained, to
Keep ii.
The next morning, William came into the
breakfast room, with bis usual careless manner,
but bright smile came on his lip as he saw
sleeves Of snowy muslin. and wealth Of soft
| full eurls, had really metamorphosed her; while
the blush her husbands adnring glance called
up to her cheek did not detract from her beauty.
! At first, William thought there must be guest,
but glancing around he found they wers alone.
| "Come, William, your coffee will be stone
cold," said Lizzie, in CHEEKY, pleasant voice
''It must cool till you sweeten my breakfast
with kiss, said her husband, crossing the room
to her side; and Lizzie's heart bounded, as she
recognized the old lovers tones and manners.
| Not one fretful speech, not one complaint, fell
upon Williams ear through the meal. The
news paper, his usual solace at this hour, lay
untouched, as Lizzie chatted gaily on every
| his gratted interest and cordial manner.
"YOu will be home to dinner2" she said, as he
went out.
"Can't to-day, Lizzie, have business out of
town, but I'll be home early to tea. Have some
thing substantial. for don't expect to dine.-
Goodbye" And the smiling look, warm kiss,
and lively whistle were marked contrast to his
longing, careless gait the previous evening.
81 am in the right path" said Lizzie, in low
whisper. "Oh! what fcol | have been for
two years. A 'fretfu dowdy' William, you
shall never say that again."
| Lizzie loved her husband with real wifely de-
votion, and her lip would quiver as she thought
of his confidence to his friend Moore; bot like
a brave little woman she stifed back the bitter
feeling, and tripped off to perfect her plans
The grand piano, silent for months, was opened,
and the linen covers taken from the furniture,
Lizzie thinking, 'He shan't find any parlors
more attractive than his own, | am determined y
Tea time came, and William came with it, A
little figure, in tasty, bright silk Dress smooth
curls, and oh! such lovely blush and smile,
stood ready to welcome William as he came in,
and tea time passed as the mornings meal had
done.
After tea, there was no movement, as usual,
towards the hat-rack. William stood up beside
the table, lingering, chatting. till Lizzie also
rose. She led him to the light, warm parlors,
in their pretty glow of tasteful arrangement, aud
drew him beside her on the sofa. He felt as il
he was courting over again, as he watched her
fingers busy with some fancy needlework, and
listened to the cheerful voice lie had loved &C
dearly two years before.
"What are you making, Lizzie2"