The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-02-16
From Peterson's Magazine for March.
The Way to Keep Him.
BY MARY e. CLARKE.

1retiully, rs ner husband rose from the tea
table, and donned his great coat
"Ycs, have an engagement with Moore
shall be in early, have light in the libra
ry. Good night" and, with a 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 vet we've been married only
two years. No man can have a more ORDER
ly house, l am sure; and | never go any
where, am not bit extravagant, and yet |
don't believe he loves me any more. Oh
dear, why is it | wasn't rich, he didn't
marry me for money, and he must have
loved me then-why does he treat me with
so much neglect ~ and with her mind filed
with such fretful queries, Lizzie Hayes fell
asleep upon the sofa.
Let me paint her picture as she lay there
She was blonde, with small, graceful fig
ure, and very pretty face. The hair, which
showed by its rich waves its natural tenden-
cy to curl, was brushed smoothly back, and
gathered into rich knot at the back; at
was such a bother to curl it." she said her
cheek was pale, and the whole face wore a
discontented expression. He dress was a
neat chintz wrapper, but she wore neither
collar nor sleeves: whats the use of dress.
ing up just for William?"
Lizzie slept soupdly for two hours, and
then awoke suddenly. She sat up, glanced
at the clock, and sighed drearily at the pros
pect of the lons interval still to be spent alone
before bed time.
The library was just over the room in
which she sat- and down the furnace ilue,
through the registers, a voice came to the
young wife's ears: it was her husbands.
swell, Moore, what's man to do? | was
disappointed, and | must have pleasure
somewhere. Who would have faTcied that
Lizzie Jarvis, so pretty, sprightiy, and loving,
could change to the fretful dowdy she is now !?
Who wants to stay at home to hear his wife
whining all the evening about her trouble
some servants, and her headache, and all
sorts of bothers? She's got the knack of
that drawling whine so pat, that, 'pon my
life, ] don't believe she caE speak pleas
antly."
Lizzie sat IS if stunned. Was this true
She looked in the glass. Ifnot exactly dow
dy, her costume was certainly not suitable
for an evening, 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 reso-
luton to win back her husbands heart, and,
then, his love regained, to keep it.
The next morning, William came into the
breakfast.room, with his usual careless man
ner, but bright smile came on his lip as he
saw Lizzie. A pretty chiHtz, with neat col
lar and sleeves of snowy muslin, and a wealth
of soft, full curls, had really metamorphosed
her; while the blush her husbands S admiring
rvlo IoI 20 ha~ a. ~ I,k-
from her beauty. At first William thought
there must be guest, but glancing he found
they were alone.
"Come, William, your coffee will be stone
cold" said Lizzie, in ckeery, pleasant
voice.
at must cool till you sweeten my break.
fast 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 fretfni speech, not one complaint
fell upon Williams ear through the meal
The newspaper, his usual salace at that hour
lay untouched, as Lizzie chatted gayly or
every pleasant subject she could think of
warming by his gratified interest and cordia
manner.
"You will be home to dinner ~ she said, a.
he went out
"Can't to-day, Lizzie, have business ou
Of town, but I'll be home early to tea. Have
something substantial, for don't expect t.
dine. Good-by," and the smiling look, warn
kiss, and lively whistle, were marked con
irast to his lounging, careless gait, the pre-
yious evening.
81 am in the right path" said Lizzie, in {
low whisper ooh what fool have beer
for two years! A 'fretful dowdyP William
you shall never say that again"
Lizzie loved her husband with real wife
ly devotion, and her lip would Quiver as sh'
thought of his confidence to his friend Moore
but like brave little woman she stiaed bacl
the bitter feeling, and tripped off to perfec
her plans. The grand piano, silent fo
months, was opened, and the linen cover
taken from the furniture, Lizzie thinking
"He shan't find any parlors more attractive
than his own, am determined
Tea time came, and William came with II
A little figure, in tasty, bright, silk dress
smooth curls, and oh ! such lovely blusl
an smile, stood ready to welcome William
as he came in; and tea time passed as th
mornings meal had done.