Middletown transcript., 1869-05-01


on the shadow that was fast overgrowing
her life.
"What shall | do ?" thought the little
timid, shrinking wife. "Oh, what shall
1 doY"
But child as she was, Daisy had a
strong, resolute, woman's heart within
her, nor was she long in coming to de-
cison.
Daisy" said her husband to her the
next day, "yeu haven't any objections to
my attending the Orian Bal Masque?"
"Are masked balls nice places, Her.
bert ?"
80, yes, everybody goes; but 1 thought
I'd pay you the compliment of asking
whether you disapproved of it or not? %
"Can I go with your
"Well-ahem-not very well, this time,
Daisy. You see; Mrs. Fenchurch really
limited so strongly for me to take her that
| couldn't help it,
Every WE'LL" assentcd Daisy meekly,
and Herbert repeated within himself the
p@an of praises he had chanted III Mr..
Portcross' ears: 1.-The best little wife in
the world ~
But Notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Aims
court was not exactly pleased when at the
sclf-same Bal Masque, during the cav ne
riod of unmasking, he saw his wifes inno-
cent face crowning the picturesque costume
of Bavarian peasant girl.
"Hallo!" he calculated, rather ungra-
ciously, "you here ''
eyes," lisped Daisy, with girlish
smile. "You said everybody went. And
oh, Herbert, isn't it niceY'
Mr.. Ainscourt said nothing more, but
Mrs Fenchurch found him very stupid
companion for the remainder of the even
ing.
lie 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 trippcd in,
her cashmere shawl trailing over her shoul-
ders. and her dimpled cheeks all pink with
the fresh wind.
sam behind time F.? Really Tn so
sorry? But we have been driving in the
park, and"
eve! Who are we?' growled her hus-
band.
"Why Col. Adair and 1.-THE Colonel
Adar that you go out with so much"
'Now look here, Daisy!" 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 are two diff
feront persons"
" Now, dear Herbert" interpoaed Dali
sy, wilfully misunderstanding him "you
know [ never was bit proud, and the as
socates that are good enough for my nus
band are good enough for me. Let me
give you few more oysters"
Ainscourt looked sharply at his wife
Was she really in earnest, or was there
mocking undercurrent of satire in her tone
But ho could not decide, so artless was her
countenance.
"I'll talk to her about it sometime"
was his internal decision.
Daisy" he said carelessly, when din
ner was over, "I'vo asked old Miss Bar
berry to come and spend the day with you
tomorrow
"Oh, have you? I'm sorry, for I am
engaged out tomorrow"
"You! Where n'
"Oh, at Delmonico's. I've Joined
Woman's Rights Club, and we must be
there to organize"
:" The duce take woman's rights," ejac-
ulated the irate husband.
"Of course don't believe in 'em, but
it's the fashion to belong to club and
such nice place to 60 to of evenings. l
am dull here of evenings, Herbert"
Herbert's heart smote him, but be an-
swered resolutely; 81 beg you will give
up this ridiculous idea. What do women
want with clubs ?"
" What men do suppose"
But | don't approve of it at ALL"
You belong to three clubs, Herbert"
"That's altogether q different matter"
/" But why is it different, Herbert ?"
"Hem-why because--of course any
body can see why-it's self evident"
" l must be very blind" said Mrs Aims
court, demurely, but l confess l can't
discriminate the essential difference"
Herbert Ainscourt said no more, but he
did not at all relish the change that had
lately come over the spirit of Daisys
dream.
She did change, somehow. She went
out driving, here, there, and everywhere.
He never knew when he was certain of
quiet evening with her she joined not
only the club, but innumerable societies
for thousand and one purposes which
took her away from home almost continu-
ally. And Mr.. Ainscourt chafed against
the bit, but it was useless, Daisy always
had an excuse to plead.
Presently her mother-in-law bore down
upon her-an austere old lady in black
satin and chestnut brown wig.
Daisy, you are making my son
wretched."
"Am I ?" cried Daisy. "Dear me, I
hadn't an idea of il! What is the trou-
bler
:" You must ask him." said the mother
in-law, who belieyed-sensible old lady
in xyaunn ,,orrsad paop,la eottl;, l. -