Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-08-25
The Best Wife in the World.

U NhulAu AhANN AlilNr VI u 'uiiAtlf hll HtNtI
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 parIor is too good
for the family 20 use"
Oh but Daisy isn't a bit ogrcish--a 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 aud 60
where | please. Daisy never ventures on q
word Of reproach."
Then you ought to be ashamed Of your
self larking around at the club as you d.
dissipatod bachelor fashion"
Ashamed What of"
Why, | suppose you owe some duties to
your wiio2"
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
iect--"
"Object I'd like to hear her try it,
Now, look here, Ainscourt your wife
may be a model wife, but you certainly are
not model husband. People are beginning
to talk about the way you neglect that pretty
little blue-eyed grl.'
"I'll thank people to mind their own busi-
ness. Neglect her, indeed Why, man,
love her as | love my own soul"
"Then Why don't you treat her as if you
did2"
Oh, come, Portcross, 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.
Mr.. Portcross shook his head.
"That sounds selfish. | don't like the
ring of that metal
And he went away, leaving Mr.. Ainscourt
to finish his game of billiards at leisure.
What regular old fussbudget Portcross
is," laughed the latter Always poking his
nose into somebody elses business There's
one comiort-l 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-a deli
cate little apple-bossom of woman, with
blue wstful eyes and curly naxen hair, look
ing more like grown up child than wife
Of twenty-one summers.
40 dear !" sighed Daisy. 1t is so dull
here. wish Herbert would come home.
lie never spends any time with me now-a-
| Hays, and | practice all his iavorite songs
bud read the newspapers, so | can talk about
he things he's interested in, and try so hard
10 be entertaining. III, very strange"
And then her oval face frightened into
sudden briliance, and the sparkes stole into
her eyes; for the quick ear had detected her
husbands footstep on the stairs. The next
moment he came in.
"Well, pet, how are your with playful
pinch of her check. "There are some bon
bons for you. Where are my light gloves ?"
90, Herbert you are not going away
again ?"
" | must, Daisy. There are lot of fell
lows going to drive to High Bridge and I'm
one Of the party. You can 90 over to my
mothers for dinner, or send for one OF your
friends, or something. There, goodbye puss,
IN in deuce of a hurry"
And with one careless kiss pressed ON the
quivering damask rose Of mouth that was
lifted up to him, he was gone.
Daisy Ainscourt neither went to her moth
er-in-Iaw, nor sent for one Of her girl friends.
She spent the evening all alone, pondering
on the shadow which was fast overgrowing
her life.
"What shall do 2' thought the little
timd, shrinking wife. "Oh, what shall
do2"
But, child as she was, Daisy had a strong,
resoute woman's heart within her, nor was
she long in coming TO u decision.
Daisy, said her husband to her, the next
day, " You haven't any objections to my at
tending the Orion Bal Masque ?"
"Are masked balls nice places, Herbert ?"
80 yes, every body goes but | thought
I'd pay you the compliment Of asking wheth-
er you disapproyed or not"
Can 60 with you2"
" Well-ahem-no very well, this time,
Daisy. You see Mrs. Fenchurch really hint
ed so very strongly for me to take her, that
| couldn't help it"
Very well, assented Daisy, meekly, and
Herbert repeated within himself the pman Of
praises he had chanted in Mr.. Portcross' ears
" The best little wife in tho world"
But, notwithstanding all this Mr.. Aims
court was not exactly pleased, when, at the
selfsame Bal Masque, during the gay period
Of unmasking, he saw his wiie's innocent face
crowning the picturesque costume Of Ba-
varian peasant girl.
IIello!" he calculated rather ungraeious.
ly, you here %
Yes, isped Daisy, with Il girlsh smile.
" You said everybody went And oh, Her
bert, isn't it nce2"
Mr.. Ainscourt said nothing more, but Mrs.
Fenehurch found him a very stupid eompan-
lou for the remainder Of the evening
He was late at diuner the next day but
late as il was, he found himself more punc-
tual than his wife and the solitary mea! was
half over before Mrs. Daisy tripped in, her
cashmere shawl trailing over her shoulders,
and her dimplcd checks all pink with the
fresh wind
"Am | behind time ? really am so
sorry But we have been driving in tho
park, and"
"We Who are wei" growiod her hus-
band
"Why, Colonel Adair and 1.-The Colonel
Adair that you 90 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 !"
dare say--but you and | are two diff
ferent persons"
"Now, dear Herbert nterposed Daisy,
wilfully misunderstanding him, you know
never was bit proud, and the associates that
are good enough for my husband, are good
enough for me. Let me give you iew more
oysters
Anscourt looked sharply at his wife. Was
she really in earnest, or was there a moeking
undercurrent Of satire in her toner But he
could not decide, SO artless was her counte-
nance.