The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-02-02
Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana,

"Yes. had an opportunity, and thought
would improve il. You know it looks 9
stupid for married people to be always te
gether in public! Leonard is an old frien
of mine, and l am glad he has returned;
shall enjoy his society much
She was only repeating words that Phil
had used a many time when praising tn
beauty and grace of some new acquaintance
but they did not seem very satisfactory now
for he only muttered "humpP' in q discon
tented way, and was silent.
Bertha saw the success Of her scheme
aud laughed mischievously as she lay dow
to slumber, and dream, perchance. of th,
sleigh ride she was TO enjoy with her friens
on the morrow. Philip had engaged to rid
with Mrs. and Miss Mortimer. and SO i
chanced that the two parties met on tn.
crowded thoroughfare. and he had just tim.
I to catch laughing glance and the wave o
a little gloved hand from his wife rs the
sleighs dashed past each other. He spent
that evening at home, but not alone with hi.
wife; Percy was there. and Bertha cha.ted
with and played for him, and they sang to
gether songs replete with love aud sentiment
songs which no reminded her they had
sung often and often together in 'olden time.
At last. angry with himself, his wife and his
IN plea Of business, but adding. THAT to
such old friends must have so much to say
% each other. that a third person would be
almost All intruder Mr.. Percy looked sur
prised. but Bertha answered snilingly:-
"Oh. yes; Leonard and 1 have plenty Of
subjects tor conversation"
'.Leonard, indeed!" growled Philip on his
way to the library. "Confound the fellow
what does he mean with his old songs?"
He remained alone till the visitor depart
ed. and could hardly believe his own eyes
when he through the half open door,
Percy imprint kiss upon the fair brow of
his wife, which She recei, ed as a matter of
course.
pray. do all your friends take their de-
parture in that loving mauner?' asked he.
as he entered the library.
"Oh, mol" but Leonard is a privileged
character. and besides [ am endeavoring to
bring my old IA shioned notions of propriety
to more modern standard. l hope to be-
come accustomed TO these improvements in
time, and to taae them as easily and grace
fully as some Of your favorite la,liss do-Miss
Mortimer for instance. | have noticed that
you rarely meet or part with her without
some harmless liberties
1t was true. that in the frs. days of his
for the bold beauty. he had often
praised her gay manners To his wife, but it
was strange how differently these things ap-
peared from different point Of view.
"But Miss Mortimer is unmarried! and,
besides. it was al a joke-our meeting and
parting in that way he answered
VERY well. Percy is unmarried. and we
will call our parting joke if you like,
was the reply"
"As you will. but l don't admire such
Jokes, l assure you"
"What- jealous. Philip? and have only
been in Percy's company three times. Let's
see--oncs to the opera-once ou. sleigh-ri-
ding-and this evening"
"No, lam not jealous. but don't see what
has come over you. Don't you know that
you will ruin your reputation if you go on in
this way? With men it is different; they
are not expected to be so exclusive in their
Society has claims upon gen.
tlemen which they must fulfill
True, doubtless-and these same claims
of society extend to the ladies, suppose, and
we ought of course to emulate the generous,
examples of the s;erner sex"
Philip could only think that however will.
ing he mi yht be to sacrifice himself upon the
altar Of society, he did not wish his wife to
iesote herself in its claims, but he could
not say SO with those mirlhful eyes watching
him SC closely, and he remained silent.
When he returned to dinner next day. he
ound his vile absent, and note informed
him that she had gone with Percy to spend
.he day at her fathers country seat, 9 few
niles from the city. and also tha. ..if he
pleased" he nigh. take the evening cars
spend few hours at the Homestead, and re-
urn with them
"If l please! Well, don't please to do
my such thing. How changed she is since
percy's coming. to leave NE SO, when she
never visited her old home alone before dur
ng our two years of married life But the
Iuet hour alone in the dining room was ia
'orable for meditation, and he finally resolved
o seek his wife. and confessing the errors
which her conduct had shown him in their
rue light. endeavor to pursuade her to re-
ume once more the q net and domestic hap
'iness. He was warmly welcomed by the
amily at the Homestead bu, Bertha was in
'isible
"She has just come in." said her mother.
n answer to her inquiries "You viii find
Ter and Leonard in the south room"
"Here. runaway said he as he entered
he room. ''why did you not meet me as you
lid in days when came wooiug?"
CcTtNHty WOuiu Nd1 L kuOWu OF your
arrival; but Leonard and l were out watch.
ng the skaters on the lake. l have never
been on The ice before since that day six years
lgo. when it proved 80 treacherous TO me.
md when dear Leonard rescued me from the
chilling waves
'.I'eay Leonard l thought it was your
brother that saved you.'' exclaimed Philip.
1T was nv brother, dear Philip. Le, me
Introduce you to my half brother. Frank
Leonard Percy. l should have made you
before. but wished to try some
II the pleasures OF flirting; and no one uu-
ierstsnds the art SO well IS Leonard-exceps
ny Ausddsdf"
Aud he will gladly give up all claims TO
proficiency III the arts IS you call it, If you /
vi!l promise to let it alone ia future" sud |
Philip, who had been shaking hands heartily /
With Percy.
"What! and leave the claims of society IN /