Smyrna times., 1871-05-24
VESDAY AFTERNOON, MAY "a, 1871.
"Savage!" cried Lou, beginning to pout.

"This is unreasonable and childish - ex-
claimed her husband, impatiently pushing
back his chair He had some perpexing
business on his mind, and was in no mood for
trifing. But Lou burst into tears.
Hang it al!' cried Edward, and taking
his hat he left the house. He had not gone
ten steps, however, before his resolution failed
him, and hurrying to the nearest bank, he
hastily drew a check and returned home with |
the money. He found his wife in her own
room, with their little Eddie on her lap; the |
traces of tears were fresh on her face, and she |
was singing to the baby in low tone.
. Forgive me- my precious having been so
grabbed just now, plead Faconer in peni- !
tent tone, as he bent over aud kissed her, at
the same time placing the money in her band.
" Will this be sufficient for what you want?'
"More than sufficient" she exclaimed de-
lghtedly, separating the roll of bank notes.
" I'll take what's left over and get you per-
feet duck of dressing gown, and materials TO
work the loveliest pair of slippers you ever
saw"
Falconer began to protest that he stood in
need Of neither dressing gown or slippers but
a reproachful glance from LOu's blue eyes ar
rested his words. I" Not when | am going to
make them with my own little fngers?' 2 she
said and Edward was subdued instanter
The following week LOus mother, Mrs.
!
coined by her daughter and son-in law. She
was thoroughly sensible, reasonable woman,
with a deal of penetration, that seemed to di-
/ vine things at glance, and was an acqulsl-
tion to any household.
Don't you think, Lou" she said to her
daughter one day, when the latter had, in her
usual coaxing, haf-pouting style, been urging
! Edward to some fresh extravaganza, that you
may push your opportunities just too far ? Mr..
| II 4. l.
ried to-day, | think
"Oh, Edward is the dearest, most amiable
OF men,"
Yes, Lou, but for the very reason that
your husband is amlable and indulgent to a
fault; you should be merciful, and not press
him too far Now | consider that baby cloak
which you coaxed him into getting for Eddie,
quite an unnecessary piece of extravaganza.
Now, take my advice, and be little more
reasonable in your demands
Mrs. Falconer knew better than to pout al
her mother, so she resolved not to ask hel
husband for anything in her presence again
but no sooner was Mrs. Townsend gone thar
the old practice was renewed. Too much Oc
cupied with her own selfish little aims, she
did not notice that her husband 5 manner wa!
! often strangely furried; there was q reckless
ness in his very tenderness he refused he
nothing that she asked for, and the little lady
e availod herself to the very utmost Of this pro
! pitious disposition.
! "Oh, Edward" she said to him one day
as they sat together over their dessert, " tn,
charity ball comes off next "Wednesday, and
: have been made one of the lady patronesSes
a | must have pretty dress for the occasion. ="
il Order what you will, he said, acOnically
Y as he rose and left the table.
+ The evening of the ball Lou was disappOint
+ ed that her husband did not come home i
Il time to see her dressed but she could nc
!. keep her party waiting, and was obliged to g
e. OFT without seeing him.
Half an hour later Falconer came home. Fl
le inquired of the house-maid, who had bee
n reused from nap by the violent jerking of III
IS parlor bell, if her mistress we're gone out; an
IN sleepy as the girl was, she was startled {;
10 she afterwards averred) "by the look of h
d face" as he dismissed her.
He went to his own room where little Edd
& lay asleep, but turned abruptly from the peac
in full picture The heavy ice of despair lay {
d. his heart Falconer & Frost had failed ar
ID he was a defaulter to the amount Of mo
ne thousands than he could ever hope to repay
er his good name was gone nothing but begga
o. and ruin Jay before him, and the disgra
would be reflected on his wife and child. /
he passed to his dressing room, turned the key
ne the inside, and ten minutes later the neighbo
nd were startled by the report of pistol. Th
m forced the door, and found that to the nan
it of bankrupt" and ''swinder," which HI
en- been applied to him as soon as the failure W
made public. he had added that of suicide
ig- They were fearful tidings that reached
rs, wife's ear in the midst of the festivities, a
ce. hurried her home and vainly might she,
frantic accents, call on that lifeless form OIL
IS, to speak to her once more" and she would
content to Five on dry crusts in hOvel
lea the rest of her days"
Vain, vain lament