The Portland daily press., 1862-10-24
MISCELLANY.
How TO keep him.

will he in early; leave llghb III tne norary.
Goodnight and with careless nod, William
HAYES left the room.
"Always the way" murmured Lizzie Hayes,
sinking back upon sofa 'out every night.
don't believe he cares one bit about me now,
and yet we've been married but two years.
No man could have more orderly house, IN
sure; and / never go anywhere: am not
bit extravagant. Oh dearl why is ii? was
not rich; he did not marry me Tor money, and
he must have loved me then-why does he now
treat me with so mnch neglect? And with
her mind filled with such fretful queries, Liz
zie Hayes fell asleep on the sofa.
Let me print picture as she lay there
She was blond, with small graceful figure,
and very pretty face. The hair, which show
ed by its rich waves its tendency to curl, was
brushed smoothly back, and gathered into
rich knot at the back, sit was snch a bother to
curl it, she said her cheek was pale, aud her
whole face wore a dscoutented expression.
Her dress was IA neat chintz wrapper, but she
wore neither collar nor sleeves. whats the
use in dressing up just for Wiam?'
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours, and then
awoke suddenly. She sat up, glanced at the
clock, and sighed drearily at 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 fue
through the register, voice came to the
young wie's ears: il was her husbands.
"Well. Moore, what is man to do? | was
disappointed and l must have pleasure sorie-
where. Who could have fancied that Lizzie
Jarvis, so perfectly sprightly and loving could
have changed to the irettul dowdy she now is?
Who wants to stay at home and hear his wife
whining all the evening about her troublesome
servants, and headaches, and all sorts of both
ers? She has got the knack of drawing so, that
upon my life do not believe she could speak
pleasant word.
Lizzie sat as if stunned II not exactly a
dowdy, her costume was certainly not fit for
an evening even il it were an evening at home,
with only William TO admire. She rose and
softly went TO her own room. with bitter and
sorrowfu thoughts. with firm resolution to
win back her husband, and then, his love re-
gained. keep it.
The next morning William came into the
room with his usual careless manner, but
bright smile came on his lips As he saw Lizzie.
A pretty chintz wrapper with a neat collar,
and sleeves of snowy muslin and a wreath of
soft, full curls, had really metamorphosed her;
while the blush her husbands admiring glance
called up to her cheek did not detract from
her beauty. At first William thought there
must be some guest, but by glance he found
they were alone.
"Come, William, your coffee will be stone
cold" said Lizzie, in CHEEKY, pleasant voice.
SIT must be 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 tone and
manner.
Not one fretful speech. not one complaint.
fell upon Williams ear during the meal. The
newspaper, his usual solace at that hour, lay
untouched, AS Lizzie chatted gaily on every
pleasant subject she thought OF, warming by
his gratitied interest, and cordial manner.
'You will be at home to diuner?" she said,
as he went out.
"Can't today, Lizzie; / have business out of
town; but I'll be at home early to tea Have
something substantial, for | don't expect To
dine. Good bye" And the smiling look.
warm kiss and lively whistle, were Il marked
contrast TO his loungng, careless gait the eve
ming previous.
Il am in the right path,' said Lizzie, in a
low whisper. "Oh, what fool l have been
for two years! A lretiul dowdy. William,
you shall never say that again.
Lizzie loved her husband with true wifey
devotion, and her lips would quiver as she
thought of his confidence to his friend Moore
but, like brave little woman, she stfled back
the bitter feeling, and tripped off to perfect
her plans. The grand piano, silent for many
months, was opened, and the linen cover re-
moved from the furniture. Lizzie was think
ing, He shan't find any parlor more attractive
than his own, am determined"
lea time came, and William came with it,
little figure IN tasty silk dress, smooth curls
and oh! such u lovely blush and SMILE stood
ready to welcome William as he came in; and
tea passed as the morning meal had done
After tea there was no movement as usual
towards the hat rack. William stood up be-
side the table, lingering, chatterng, till Lizzie
also rose. She led him to the light, warm par
lor, in the glow of its tasteful arrangement
and drew him down beside her on the sofa.
He felt as if he were courting her over again.
as he watched her fingers busy with some nee
dle-work, and listened to the cheerful voice he
had loved SO two years ago.
What are you making, LiZzie?'
"A pair of slippers, Do you remember how
much you admired the pair made for YOU ev-
er so long ago?'
Il remember, black velvet, with flowers on
them. used to put my feet on the fender,
and dream of blue eyes and light curls, and
wish time would move faster to the day when
could bring home my bonny wee wife to
make music in my house."
Lizzie's face saddened for a moment, as she
thought OF the last two years, and how little
music she had made for his loving heart, grad
ually weaving 1t from allegiance and then said:
II wonder ifyou love music as you did then ?,
Of course do. often dropped in at Miss
Smiths, for nothing else than to hear the mu-
sic."
"Ican play and sing better than Miss Smith,
said Lizzie, half pouting.
But you always say you are out ofpractice
when 1 ask you"
Il had the piano tuned this morning Now
open 1t and we will see how il sounds"
William obeyed her joyfully, and tossing
aside her sewing, Lizzie took the music stool.
She had very sweet voice. not powerful but
most musical, and she was very fair perform
er on the piano.
Ballads, Lizzie"
"Oh, yes, know you dislike opera music
In the parlor."
The little mantle clock struck eleven.
Eleven! | thought it was about nine l
ought TO apologize, Lizzie as | used to do, for
staying so long; and | can truly say, as | did
then that the time has passed so pleasantly |
can scarcely believe it so late"
The piano was closed. Lizzie's work was mt
up in the basket and William was ready to 90
up stairs; but looking back, he saw his little
wiie near the fireplace, her hands casped, her
head bowed, and large tears falling from her
eyes. He was beside her in an instant
Lizzie, darling, are you i'll? What is the
matter?"
"Oh, William, l have been such a bad
wife! heard you tell Mr. Moore last evening.
how had disappointed you; but | will try TO
make your home pleasant, indeed will, if YOU
will only forgive and love me-"
Love you! Oh, Lizzie, you cannot guess
how dearly love you"
As the little wife lay down that night, she
thought have won him back againI Better
than that-I have learned to keep him."
1. ID. MERRILL Il CO.,