The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-08-26
THE BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD.

4 I'LL DLSI WI iIN ts'I "opIO.
/ 'sThe best wife in the world ?" said Her
I bert Ainscourt.
''Of course-I dare say" responded Mr.
| Portcross. 'But what's your exact idea OF
the best wife in the world Jones says he's
got the best wife in the world, because she
keeps his stockings darned, takes him tC
church three times of a Sunday. and never
lets him have an idea of his own. jenkins
says he's GOT the same identical article, but
Jenkins wife keeps all the money, draws his
salary for him, and makes him live in the
back kitchen because the parlor is too good
for the family to use
ooh. but Daisy isn't 4 bit ogrcish--;l lit
tie submissive, soft-vOiced thing that hasn't
an idea except what is reflected from me.
tell you what, old fellow, I'm the master of
my own house; | come when | please, and
90 when please. Daisy never ventures on
a word of reproach.'
''Then you ought to be ashamed Of Your
self, larking around nj the clubs as you do,
dissipated-bacheor fashion,
"Ashamed what OFF"
"Why, ! suppose you owe some duties to
your wife? ?"
"Where's the harm? My wife doesn't
care
'Probably you think SO because she is
quiet and submissive; but if she were to OBJ
ject--''
"Object? I'd like to hear her try it.
''Now, look here, Ainscourt, your wife may
model husband. People are beginning to
talk about the way you neglect that pretty
little bluc-eyed girl"
'Tll thank people to mind their own bus
mess. Neglect her, indeed! Why, man, |
love her as love my own soul"
''Then, why don't you treat her as if you
did ?"
''Oh, come, Poncross that question just
shows what a regular old bachelor You are.
1t won't do to make too much of your. wife,
unless you want to spoil her.
MI Portcross shook his head.
THAT sounds selfish. I don't like the ring
of that metal"
And he went away, leaving Ainscoult to
finish his game of billiards at leisure.
"What a regular old fuss-budger Portcross
s,' laughed the latter. ''Always polling his
nose into somebody clse's business. There
one comfort never pay any attention to
what he says
Meanwhile Mrs Ainscourt was sitting alone
in her drawing-room, her two little white
hands tightly locked in one another, and her
fair head slightly drooping-:t delicate little
apple-btossom OF u woman, with blue, Wisttll
eyes and curly tlayen hair, looking more like
a grown-up child than u wife of twentv-one
summers.
"Ohr' sighed Daisy. at is so dull here. Il
wish Herbert would come home. He never
spends any time with me nowadays and
practice all his favoritc songs, and read the
newspaper so can talk about the things he's
interested in, and try so hard to be entertain
ing. It's very strange"
,1 G.. Il .,,+,
sudden brillirnce, and the sparkles stole in
her husbands footsteps. on the stairs. The
next moment he came in.
'Well pet, how are you?" with q playful
pinch on her cheek. sThcre are some bon-bons
for you. Where are my light gloves?N
80 Herbert you are not going away again9N
81 must Daisy. There are some fellows
going to drive to High Bridge, and I'm one
of the party. You can 90 over to my mo-
ther's for dinner, or send for one of your
friends, or something There, good bye,
puss, I'm in deuce of q hurry.
And with one careless kiss pressed on the
quiyering damasl rose of mouth that was
lifted up to him, he was gone.
Daisy Ainscourt neither went3to her moth
er-ln-llw, nor sent for one of her girl-friends.
She spent the evening alone, pondering on
the shadow which was fast overgrowing her
life
"What shall ?" thought the little TIM
id shrinking wife. ''Oh what shall | do?''
But, child as she was, Daisy had strong
resolutc woman's heart within her, nor was
She long in coming to q decision.
''Daisy,' said her husband to her the next
day, "you haven't any objection to my atten-
ding the Orion Bal Masque ?"
"Are masked balls nice places, Herbert ?"
go yes everybody goes. only | thought
I'd pay you the compliment of asking whether
you disapprove or not"
"Car | 90 with you?"
'Well-ahem-not very well, this time,
Daisy. You see, Mrs. Fenchurch really hint
ed so strongly for me to take her, that l
couldn't help it.''
Very WE'LL" assentcd Daisy, meekly and
Herbert repeated within himself the pran of
praises he had chanted in Mr. Portcross' ears:
''The best little wife in the world.'
But, Notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Ainscourt
was not exactly pleased, when, at the self
same Bal Masque, during the gay period of
unmasking he saw his wite's innocent face
browning the picturesque costume of a Ba-
varan peasant girl.
''Hallo!" he CALCULATED, rather ungracious-
ly, ''you here!"
Yes" lisped Daisy, with a girlish smile.
"You said everybody Went And OH Her
bert isn't If nice?"
Mr. Ainscourt said nothing more, but Mrs
Fenchurch found him a very stupid compan-
ion for the remainder of the evening.
He was late at dinner the next day; but.
late as he was, he found himself more pune
tual than his wife, and the solitary meal was
half over before Mrs. Daisy tripped in, her
cashmere shawl trailing over her should dcrs,
and her dimpled cheeks all pink with the
fresh wind.
cam | behind time? Really, am SO sor-
ry! But we have been driving in the park,
and"
eve! Who are we?" growled her hus-
band.
"Why, Colonel Adair and I-the Colonel
Adair that you 90 with so much''
''Now, look here, Daisym calculated Mr.
Ainscourt, rising from the table and pushing
back his chair, "Adair isn't exactly The man
| want you to drive with"
''But you go everywhere with him.'
81 dare say-but you and l are two differ
ent persons"
Nov, dear Herbert" interposed Daisy,
wlfully misunderstanding him, "you know