National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-10-06
TAKEN tT HIS WORD.

| III n'f pretty cI-lolin, crying, hIu look
Ing very unhappy, Aud yet she had been
rarrled only six months; and 10 such a
mice, handsome man. as all the young
ladies declared, that surely she ought 20
have been happy with him. And 80 she
had been, untIl-until, to tell the truth
Mr. Bob Palmer forgetting, on seeming TO
for.ct, that he was married man. had
recently taken To flirting with these very
Young ladies. at all the fairs and parties Of
Middleton. leaving his wife to take care Of
herself. Surely it was enough TO make
any six months wife cry especially one
80 sensitive as Nellie.
Not that Mr. Robert Palmer loved his
little vile a bi, less than on the day of his
marriagr-re .Aer that Nellie suspected
him of il, or for a moment doubted his
morals, any more than she did his con-
,tancy But Mr.. Palmer was a gay young
man. and loved 10 amuse himself and to he
amused lie liked the society Of pretty
and lively women, both married and single
and saw no harm in 1t. 50, while he hung
over the Young ladies' chairs, laughing and
pay:ng gay compliments, or l:omculded
the hals and piazzas with the young mar
red ladies. his wife would he looking over
a photograph album, or ccnvcrsng solemn
" with some old gentleman, or noticing
some shv and awkward child while trc-
tending to be unconscious of her husbands
proceedings Not that She was compelled
T. employ herself IN this dull way-shc,
usually - bright and pretty, and agreeable
but she had no heart for nythmg else
now. OF late all her liyeliness and chatt-
ness had left her and she answered absent
", and smiled listlesSly. and if compelled
t. dance or sing, did SO ont of time and
tune. to her husbands great vexation. 1t
is thus that many young wife settles
down into a dull and faded old woman,
whilst her husband grows handsomer and
heartier. and wonders what on earth could
have So changed her
"IIallo been crying again, declare !"
exclaimed Mr.. Bob Palmer, suddenly ceas-
ing his little whistle, as he entered the
room, on returning from his Office.
" What's the trouble now, Nellie Canary
refused to sing or MatIame Niglini not put
flowers enough IN your new bonnet 7"
"Oh, Bob, how can you p sobbed poor
Nellie, beginning atresh
" Look here. Ellen said her husband,
sitting down on the lounge. and speaking
more seriously " don't like this at all.
| never come home that your eyes are not
red and swollen with crying. What have
you to cry about, | should like to know ?
IT'S an insult To me to 20 snivelina about
the house after this fashion, and moulng
away in corners, looking sulen and m'scr-
able, as you did last nigut, at Mrs. Mac
l,,,'. ~ ,,onnIa will tlIpL. M "a t.plppf
domestic tyrant."
"Ah, Bob don't speak so can't help
it, indeed. do feel SO miserable. iou
make me so. Bob"
"Ii Well, that is rich Perhaps you'll
be good enough TO let Inc know Of what
enolmity rvc been guilty, that has turned
you INTO modern Niobe ~
Nothing really wrong. dear; but. oh
if YOU knew how much wife thinks OF her
husbands love and" here poor Nellie
broke down again. Mr., paImcr's eyes
opened VI wide
" IVlea I" whistled he, "if this isn't
really absurd So, she's Jealous" !"
Indeed no, dear Bob, but-but-" she
could hardly speak for the choking in her
throat" you can't understand the pride
a woman takes in having her husband trust
her with affection and respect before every
one. or how it humbles and mortities her
to be neglected by him, and have other
women consider themselves her rivals
like Isabel Walden"
Mr Bob Palmer laughed outright, and
then he grew angry.
"You're an absurd little fool, Nellie, y he
said AS If Isabel Vadcn were anything
to me beyond lively and agreeable young
woman to amuse one, self with at a party.
Nonsense y
".Sle don't think so, said Nellie land
and the Others done think SO. They
all think vou are getting tired of your wife,
and Isabel hatters herself that She has cut
me out and is irving to let people see it,"
Fddle,ticksw said Bob, rising impa
tien,lv from the lounge. I'm astonlshed
at YOU Nellie and had really given You
credit for more sense, as well as temper,
he added. mora severely. g wish you'd
amuse yourself in society. as ! do. instead
of going moping about in this fashion. lou
ca 'texpect to have me tied to your apron
strings and I'd much rather see you tlrt-
inc a little yourself, than skulking away
in holes and ornels, like a spider, watch
ing your butterfly OF a husband, to see If
YOU can't detect him in doing wrong. You
make me quite ashamed Of you, declare"
Mr. Palmer took his hat and walked out
OF the room with sn air of mingled dlgnl-
tv and injured innocence. His wife sat up,
wiped away her tears, and unused awhile
with eyes flashing and cheeks flushed with
wounded and indignant feeling.
"Ycs" she said to herself, " since he has
requested it. rW amuse myself as he
does and see how he likes it ashamed
of me. is hcl And be dld not used TO be
SO when | was gay and happy. Oh, Bob,
ifyCu only knew how loved you !" And
once more. despite her re,oluteiy closing
her eyes, and pressing her fingers upon
them, the tears would come.
There was to be that very evening, a
party at Colonel John tons and Nellie
took particular pains in dressing herself Tor
It. She had been OF late rather careless on
this point, and was now rewarded for her
extra care by her husbands glance of APP
proval, and his remark that the pink SILK
was very becoming to her. In consequence
her ewes and cheeks were brighter, and her
spirits more buoyant, As she entered Mrs.
JohnstonS crowded drawing rooms
Scarcely had they paid their respects te
the hostess, when Mr.. Palmer accosted, or
rather was accosted by, Miss Walden,
brilliant. confident girl, who had tried to
ensnare him before his marriage; ard at
the same moment gentleman addressed
Mrs II liner. She answered mechanically
unahle TO withdrew her attention entire
Iy Fl IA her hus band and his companion.
until seeing sometLing in Miss Vaden's
glance at herself which she did not like,
ao, n,;de ,yaiu awoke. and she turned, as