The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-06-23
miscellaneous.
THE WAY TO KEEP HIM.

"Out again tonight" said Mrs. Hayes,
fretfully, as her husband rose from the ia
BILE, and donned his great coat.
eyes, / have an engagement with Moore,
I shall be in early; have light in the Ii
brary. Good night" And with careless
nod, VIM. Hayes left the room.
"Always the way" murmured Lizzie
Hayes, sinking back upon the sofa "Out
every night. | don't believe he cares one
bit about me now, and yet we've been mar
ried only two years. No man can have a
more orderly house, am sure. ! never go
anywhere, | am not abit extravagant and
yet don't believe he loves me any more.
Oh, dear, why is it? l wasn't rich; he
did not marry me for my money, and he
must have loved me then; why does he
treat me with so much neglect?" And
with her mind filled with such frightful que
ries, Lizzie fell asleep on the sofa.
Let me paint her picture as she lay there.
She was a blonde, with small graceful
figure and pretty face. The hair which
showed by its rich waves its natural ten
dency to curl, was brushed smoothly back,
and gathered into rich knott was such
bother to curl it, she said-her cheek was
pale, and the whole face wore discomfort
ed expression. Her dress was neat chintz
wrapper, but she wore neither collar nor
sleeves. "What's-the use of dressing up
just for William p
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours, and
then awoke suddenly. She sat up, glanced
at the clock, and sighed drearily at. the
prospect of the long interval still to be
spent before bedtime.
The library was just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace-fue,
through the register, voice came to the
young wifes ears. 1t was her husbands.
swell, Moore, what's man to do?
must have pleasure somewhere. Who
would have fancied that Lizzie Jarvis, SO
pretty, sprightly 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, 'pon my life
don't believe she can speak pleasantly"
Lizzie sat as if stunned. Was this true
She looked in the glass. If not exactly
dowdy, her costume was certainly not suit
able for an evening with only William to
admire. She rose, and softly went to hel
room, with bitter, sorrowful thoughts, and
firm resolution to win back her husbands
heart, and then, his love regained, to keep
him.
The next morning William came into the
breakfast room with his usual careless man
ner, but bright smile came on his lips as
he saw Lizzie. A pretty chintz, with neat
collar and sleeves of snow-white muslin
with wreath of soft full carls, had really
metamorphosed her while the blush hel
husbands admiriug glance called up to hel
cheek did not detract from her beauty
At first William thought there must be {
guest, but glancing around, he found they
were alone.
"Come, William, your coffee will soon be
cold," said Lizzie, in cheerful, 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 hear
bounded as she recognized the old lovers
tone and manner.
Not one fretful speech, not one com
plant fell upon Williams ear through the
meal. The newspaper, the usual solace a
that hour, lay untouched, as Lizzie chattet
gaily on every pleasant topic she coult
think of, warming by his grateful and cordi
al manner.
"You will be at home to dinnerf' sh'
said, as he went out.
"Can't to-day, Lizzie, I've business ou
of town; but I'll be home early to tea.--
Have something substantial, for don't ex
pect to dine. Goodbye" And the smil
ing look, warm kiss, and lively whistl
were a marked contrast to his lounging
careless gait of the previous evening. :
II am in the right path," said Lizzie il
low whisper. "Oh, what a fool l hav'
been for the last two years "A fretfu
dowdyp William, you shall never say tina
again."
Lizzie loved her husband with a rea
wifely devotion, and her lips would quive
as she thought of his confidence to hi
friend Moore she stiaed back the bite
feeling, and tripped off toperfect her plans
The grand piano, silent for months, wa
opened, and the linen covers taken from tn
| furniture, T" He shan't find any parlors NOR
pleasant than his own, I'm determined"
Tea-time came, and William came witt
it. A little figure in tasty, bright sill
dress, smooth curls, and oh such Lowell
blush and smile, stood ready to welcom
him as he came in and tea-time passe'
as the morning meal had done. After te
there was no movement as usual towar
the hatrack. William stood up beside tn
table, lingering and chatting, until Lizzi
arose. She led him to the light warm pal
lors, in their pretty glow of tasteful oil
rangement, and drew him down on sofa be
side her. He felt as if he were courtin
over again, as he watched her fingers, bus
with some fancy needlework, and listene
to the cheeful voice he had loved so dearl
two years before.
What are you making, Lizzie ?"
"A pair of slippers. Don't you remem
Der how much you admiredthe pair worke
for you-oh ever SO long ago 2"
:" ! remember-blac velvet, with flower
on them. / used to put my feet on th
Tenders, and dream Of blue eyes and brigh
curls, and.wished time would move taste
to the day when l could bring my bonn
, wife home to make music in my house,"
Lizzie's face saddened for moment, 1
she thought of the last two years, and ho
D. 1;f<lo s,a.,o;r che had made far his 1aui,