The Lincoln County herald., 1871-07-06
THE WIEF'S COUNTERPLOT.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

"Business, my dear, business" an
swerea Mr.. Msypole, calmly contem-
plating the live end Of his cigar, o. he
sat with his heels On the window Gill,
and q scarlet cashmere dressing gown
wrapped round him. .t.-
but you've only just come back from
. business tour"
"teleu," quoth Mr.. Maypole impress
lively, "women shouldn't be Fostering
themselves about why's and where
fores. Let it suffice to you, my dear,
that affairs of importance call me away.
leave you money enough for any rea-
sonable woman to spend-l leave you
the society Of the children. What more
ought womanly woman to desire?"
Money isn't everything" poutcd
Helen, "and one does occasionally tire of
the society of a boy Of four and g'rl Of
two"
II am sorry to hear you talk so, my
DEAR" said Mr. Maypole loftily.
Cant 60 too, Paul ?" pleaded Mrs.
Maypole, putting q soft little hand i'm
ploringly into his masculine palm.
mo, my dear, you can't !! '
"And how long will you be gone ?"
q"Not more than month, hope; but
that will depend entirely upon circum,
/ stances. .,...- f..-
Helen Maypole sighed. 81. ,..a..
4 Where is Waytesvllle2' p
"Oh, it's a little town just off the
Hudson River road. Now, Helen, don't
tease me with any more questions, but
read your Ledger, or darn your stock.
ings, like good, peaceable wife This
summer twilight has something very
1soporifc in Its influence, and l feel cx-
actly like a nap"
So Paul Maypole went serenely to
sleep, and Helen kept her solitary vigil
by his side.
She packed his shirts and stockings
the next day, according to orders, and
meekly received his various directions as
to the administration Of the household
affairs during his absence. ....
Don't spend any more money than
you can help, Helen,' quoth he magiste
rally. "Times are hard, and the cash
market grows tighter every day. 1t
seems to me that our grocer's bill is un.
necessarily large. 1t cant be essential
to have raisins and suet in the pud
ding every day, as long as l am not at
home, and I shouldn't buy strawberries
as long as they are as high as Eve cents
basket. And don't you think, my dear
you could dispense with ice this summer
A dollar a week is a great price to pay
for ice. But, however, don't want tc
stint you. | leave the matter entirely to
your own conscience. So good bye
Helen; take good care of the children
aud enjoy yourself as much rs possible.
"Yes, Paul, 7 WILL" said Helen, with
countenancs whose preternstural limo
cence he might nave suspected, had hi
been thinking Of anything or anybod.
but his august self. LH'"
He went of to Waytesville, wher'
Jones and Thompson and Brown aud
lot of the "fellows" had told him Their
was superb fishing, reasonable hunting
and little spicy flirting thrown iuto th
bargain. .4 .. d- .a. .n".-
"A man can't work for ever" argue,
our hero, land If Helen once suspected
was going into the country for relaxation
why, she would olamor to 60 too, wit
the babies, and there would be an end o
all peace aud comfort for me-" .aia. o,
But Mrs. Maypole, blind, ,on6din
wife though she had always been, was n
fool, and she Was beginning to "suspeot
more than her liege lord had any ide
of. "A chance lexpression or two care
lessly dropped from. Paul's ambrosis
lips aud, forgotten, the fragments. Of
torn letter in one of bis waist coat poci
cts, and "herE own suspicions, welde
together makes up o whole that Mr.
Helen secretly cherished in uher ow
heart. .vc!.5i o. .IJs Il waT MINER
So. no sooner had the train that bo,
Paul away shrie ked itself into the d
tance, than Hele q packed"up her trunk
and sent for d 1cosy old naidsof her ii
iquaintance to come and take care Of th
babies during her absence. q 'ssii 70 ,
n"What are you going away for, m
dear ?" said Ednice iEldstauwer. isAsiH
"Busincss, "'qaoth Helen sagely.e q
'rn'All7 right, no said Eunice and Mr.
Maypolea took the evening train fa
GO "Fll look alter these affairs q lit
be- % ysclf," said Helen. 4 'G1His'hhl@s an .
We l"Only one hotel in tie place ~ Il
tn asked Of the stage driver, who came |,
meet the train-a leather countenance
70 man, with one side Of his face swolle
in with mach mastication Of tobacco. 1uo {
or That's Ill. men, answered ths Jeh
NO .'Wsytssville House, mem. Genteel 81
IN quiet. mem; charges 10y, snd boal
Dg] fus.rats. Some New York ladies there
ief ready mem, and--"esf -Ganjh ID z
he "very well, i said Helen, "you mt
Dg take me thsre, .G. ! ~ lam8e, ,!9;n Ban
i'm a And, Nnl Msypole, smoking on d
ot pissSa, little dreamed that is was his os
ad wifsowAo opaased hin, veiled and muffl'
m in her sebss tsavelipg suit, that sssnin
10. RI Helen had berlssme reaistersd on Il
nd hotyl books aas sMrs. Waibridge fro
yh Philadelphis.l P She took her meals in b