Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-02-20
THE WAY TO KEEP HIM.

fretfully, as her husband rose from the tea
table. and donned his great coat.
'Yes, ! have an engagement with Moore,
| shall be in early, have a hight in the Ii
brary. Good night" And with careless
nod, William Hayes left the room.
Always the way, murmuied Lizzie
Hayes sinking back upon the sofa. Out
every night | don't believe he cares one
bit about me now, and yet we have been
married only two years. No man can have
amore orderly house, [ am sure, | never go
anywhere, am not bit extravagant and
yet | don t believe he loves me any more
Oh, dear, why is it? [ wasn't rich; he did
not marry me for money, and he must have
loved me then; why does he treat me with
so much neglect p And with her mind fill
ed with such frightful queries, Lizzie fell
asleep on the sofa.
Let me paint her picture as she lay there.
She was a blonde, with small graceful fig
ure, and a pretty face The hair which
showed by its rich waves its natural tenden-
gathered into rich knot at the back-'twas
such bother to curl it, she said-her cheek
was pale, and the whole face wore discon-
tented expression. Her dress was neat
chin:z wrapper, but she wore neither collars
nOr sleeves. What the use Of dressing
up just for William
Lizzie slept s1un,lly for two hours, AMI
then awoke sud lenly. She sat up, glanced
at the clock, and sighed drearily at the pros
rect OF the long interval still to be spent be-
fore bedtime
The library was Just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace-hue,
through the register, a voice came to the
young wife : ears 1t was her husband s.
Well, Moore, what man to do?
must Lave 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 whin-
ing all the evening about her troublesome
servants, and her headache and all sorts of
bOthers? She's got the knack of that drawl-
ing whine so pat, pom my life [ don't be-
lleye she can speak pleasantly
Lizzie sat as if stunned Was this true
She looked in the glass. If not exactly dow
dy, her costume was certainly not suitable
Tor an evening with only William to admire
She rose and softly went to her room, with
bitter, sorrowful thoughts, and firm reso-
luton TO win back her husband S heart, and
then, his love regained, to keep it. 81
The next morning William came into the
breakfast room with his usual careless man
ner, but a 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 curls, had really meta
mOrphosed her; while the blush her hus-
bands admiring glance called up to her
cheek did not detract from her beauty. At
but glancing around, he found they were
alone
Come, William, your coffee will soon be
cold, said Lizzie in cheerful, pleasant
voice.
1t must cool till you sweeten my break
last with kiss, said her husband, crossing
the room to her side, and Lizzie's heart
bounded as she recognized the old lover S
tone and manner.
Not one fretful speech, not one complaint
Iell upon Williams ear through the meal.
The newspaper, the usual solace of that
hour, lay untouched, as Lizzie chatted gaily
on every pleasant topic she could think of
warming by his grateful interest and cordial
manner
You will be at home to dinner ?'''- she
SAID, as he went out.
Can't to-day, Lizzie I've business out
OF town; but I'll. be home early to tea.
Have something substantial, for | don't ex-
qectto dine. Good bye" And the smiling
look, warm kiss, and lively whistle were q
marked contrast to his lounging, careies:
gait of the previous evening.
i am in the right path" said Lizzie in 8
low whisper. "Oh, what fool have beer
Tor the last two years "A fretfnl dowdy !!
William, you shall never say that again.
Lizzie loved her husband with real wife
iy devotion, and her lips would quiver as she
thought of his confidence to his friend
Moore; but like brave little woman sh,
stIted back the bitter feelings, and trippec
OF to perfect her plans The grand piano
silent for months, was opened, and the linel
covers taken from the furniture, Lizzie say
ing, ''he shan't find any parlors more pleas
ant than his own, / m determined.
Tea came, and William came with it. ]