The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-05-12
THE HUSBANDS sTRATAGEM
DY AMY RANDOLPH.

la ~ Ahi [. IL l1nIlfITT
Tho sunset bad faded into gray, uncertain
du,k. 1t was decidedly too dark to read
yet il was rot time to call out the brilliant
faries of light that were imprisoned 10 lhe
glded tubes of tie chair deIiers And so il
happe ned that the room was yet 10 darkness,
save for tie twilight that struggled 10 tlro'
the heavy curtains of amethystine silk, and
the ruddy, fitful glearins of the sofl-coa fire
that danced and sparkIcd in the CRATE. For
it was late in October, and the autumn frosts
were decendipg on the ,upands, and even city
homes looked all tho brighter for cheerful
fire '.eS
All alone? and in brown study, as 1 live
I hope haven't interrupted you, Claytonf'
AS if brisk little DR.. Colwsll ever interrupt.
ed anybody Does the sunshine in,errap,
the flow rs in the garden--does an .invigorat
itg brees interrupt The levered brow on an
August mornings We erlbiuk noti41
And Dr.. Colwell was man decidedly after
the order of sunshine aud brisk breczqs. ,oJi
Not at all, doctor--tako tits arm chair
Well, viii, said The Doctor dvpsiting
himself cohforlabi in a nest Of crimson silk
cushions, and ;hinging his hat on an Opposite
table. And you will tell me What makes you
look SO dcspondenll
Did look respondent!
Did youG A pretty question to nsk an old
fellow who has held you on his knee many a
time! AS if | didn't know every change OF
your countenance rs completely as it were a
printed book Something is wrong, Mark, so
out with it.
Really, sir, said Mark Clayton, laughing. |
was not aware----H ragHA coll IHn XII
Wasn't aware? o, fidJlesiick, Mark -
Perhaps you're not aware that you are a to.
tally different man from tho cheerful, sunny
hearted fellow Of six months sincc.' Some in
fluence or ather has changed you to a pensive
low spirited spooney. Sci Excuse the wor 4
Mark, but assure you it's emincntly appro-
pirate. ,..s
THANK you, doctor!' said CLAYTON. 'o'
There now--was that. genuine laugh p
Not bit Of it-obly hystercal cachnation
that an honest man ought to be ashamed Of.
Let mo feel your pulse, my by. Hum-m-
ha ALL right there. Now then, if .you
don't speak out IlI-lTl---- : = oR fi. .
I. What DR.. Colwells would haze done, in
that case, never WIS made known to the world
for Just as the words were trembling upon his
lip, the door opened, End beautiful young
lady swept into the room, g bohneted and
shawled, as if'for a walk. The old gentleman
started up with brisk galantry. 81
'Mr. Clayton--and as rosy as pink.
needu't ask after your health, it seem,.', ..' ''
i am very well, thand you, doctor. Deal
me, Mark, how very warm the room isl VIII,
haven't Won Gohted Tho oas q
Mr.. Clayton obeyed hy iustrn.ly illumiua
lessy into chair. ggREg rr NNFN -
whats this envelope on tho tablet Tick
cts for the operar = 80 - - Z, -
Yes. thought you. wou'd like to hear t1e
new prima donna. esE'i' 30 ,,
1 We'll, shouldn't then. The opera alway.
make my head ache. wish you ever. re
membered my likes and dislikes rightly y,
Then, said Clayton, smiling, i am nlmos,
afraid 10 present this bracelet bought this
morniAg in remembrance Of The day VIC were
engaged TO one another two years since.
'Oh, said Mrs. Clayton, ungraciously, 'Tur
quoises--the very stone of all others Tat il
most uubecomirg to me, sfEttki
That's a pity, for have had your initial:
marked on it, and consequently il cannot be
exchanged
Il can't wear the thing said the wife, pet
tkbly giving the velvet box push along thl
table Il wish, Mark, you would take you,
feet off that fepder--of all dIsagreeable habits
men pick up, that is the worstr tso ,s..r,,
Mr.. Clayton removed bis feet from theil
obnoxious position without word; tho old
doctor sat observing The couple in silence '''i
Your hasdkercbief, dear, said Mark, lean.
ing forward to restore an embroidered cobwet
Of fuo muslin that hal slipped from bis wife:
lap. As Mrs. Clayton took il she uttered 4
little impatient sound. s'sfs
'Mark-you have been smoking!
Only one cigar, Nina--and tbatwa two
hours ago. didu't suppose your olfactory
nerves were so delcalcly strung ,t.,,.s
1T is too bad, Mark fretted Nina Clay ton
'whon you know how hate cigar
1t shall be the last time, pussv Y said The
husband, caressingly. Como, sing US some
Of DR.. Coldwelps fayorite Scotch Ballads be
fore a. st9fy 81" q
4 don't feel like sioglug,' said Nina, potu
lanty. ~ -, -, 1900 .- -.
sPay something, them %
Il suppose il never occurred to you that
might possibly bc tired, after my wakP'
Il beg your pardon; I did not think o