The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-12-06
A HUSBAND OUTWITTED
A GAME FOR TWO TO PLAY.

week at the watering place, and
most of the time each day spent in the
company of Mr.. MAXWELL, the gentle
man whom Miss Ellsworth's old friend
had introduced to her one morning on
the piazza. She had sailed with him along
the shore on the moonlight evenings,
and she had danced with him in the
thronged drawing-rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not q filrt, VINO
distributed her ideals among many gen.
tlemen, and she had found her ideal
well nigh realized in Mr.. MAXWELL.
ONLY the evening before, their talk had
withdrawn itself from the general topic
to which each had been congenial, and
in her admiration of his intelligence and
manliness, she had encouraged an ap-
proach to that personal sort OF CONVEX.
sation which relates to love and matri-
mony,
And now to find Mr.. MAXWELL this
morning, With his coat off and smiths
apron on, engaged in mending lock.
He was doing it publicly. The lock was
on the door that led to the middle of the
front piazza where the fashionable ladies
and gentlemen were sitting or promen-
aiding.
His back was towards her as she ap-
preached leaning on the arm OF her
friend Anna West. She recognized him,
looked intently at him, gave her COM
panion over to a party of young ladies
near, and then stopped and spoke to
him.
"Do You like that sort of work, Mr..
MAXWELL 7" she asked.
81 do, Miss Ellsworth. believe am
a natural mechanic"
at appears very odd to see you doing
this"
otis my trade, !" he replied, rising from
his work and turning to her.
Her cheek blanched little. "Your
trade !" she said family.
Eyes, trade, Miss Ellsworth. The pro-
prietor said the lock needed mending,
and ! told him | could mend it for
him."
The party of girls came aleng just then.
After wondering at Mr.. MAXWELL awhile
and laughing at him, they proposed q
ride.
There were three carriages for them
all. These would take the whole party.
Ned Whitaker here Joined them.
"What the duece are you about herei"
he exclaimed TO Mr.. MAXWELL. "Ah,"
he added, when the latter turned and
glanced at him, "but while you are here
you might as well enjoy yourself"
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
joining the party, and they went away
leaving him to finish his work.
Miss Ellsworth left him without any
word at parting.
at is WELL" he muttered to himself,
"If she cannot take me as | am she is
not worthy of me. The woman that
marries me must take me for myself"
He stood and looked after her until
she had disappeared. She did not once
turn to look back.
He gave his shoulders a shrug, conn.,
pressed his lips, uttered a cynical
humph and turned to finish his work.
Let it be So he mattered, when he
was through and putting on his coat.
81 thought perhaps that had found a
woman after my own heart. Amidst
this world of wealth and fashion, she,
too, has lost her soul. Let her 60"
He avoided her thereafter. He did
not seek to catch Der eye for bow Of
recognition. When she entered draw
ing.Ioom where he was, he would 60 out
by another way. But he was more than
ever in the company of Whitaker. Ned
in passing to and fro between Miss Ellis.
worth and him, served still as sort of
link between them.
You are cynical fellow" said Ned
one day. "Why don't you take the peo-
pie as they arei You will find good
enough in Them
"Pooh! You see yourself that she
allows no other suitors to accompany
her. Don't you see she is alone or
with the other girls the most of the
time 7" .-----,s----
"Her heart is full of vanity"
"Pshaw She is trained to luxurious
notions, that's all. 't-
MainwelPs trunk was awaiting him
and the stage outside on the piazza at
the time this conversation was going on.
On the trunk were his initials, G. NJ
Miss Ellsw orth passing that way saw
theiiDitials-not by chance, for she had
been very busy scrutinizing the trunks
that lay together in a pile-and when
she saw the initials she started and
turned pale. Ske recovered herself and
withdrew with her companion little
way, and then stood still and watched.
Presently Mr.. MAXWELL came out with
Ned upon the piazza. He CHANGED to
turn his eyes toward her, and their eyes
met-met for the first time since she had
LETT him while he was at work upon the
lock. She did not turn away her ewes.
She bowed. He lifted his hat. The ice
was broken. He approached her to bid
her good bye.
What the conversation was that en-.
sued between the two when thew were
left alone by means of Ned's ingenuity
in spiriting away the rest of the com.
pany is unknown. save the following:
"But am loeksmith, said Mr.. Main.
well. a
''No matter" .re ....
Are You willing to live as the wife OF
one who with his hands earns his daily
bread ~ - :
II am willing to undergo anything to
be with you. / have suffered enough.
During these last few days have learn.
ed what it is to despair Of being united
to one love-"
But your mother and your father ~
Unless am willing to leave them for
yor5 sake, am no. worthy of YOU"
but then the loss of wealth, of posi-
ton, OF the surroundings of refine
.cJa- e .A--a q