Middletown transcript., 1871-10-14
Srlrtt Storn.
TAKEN AT HIS WORD.


Nellie Palmer was lying on the lounge
in her pretty bedroom, crying and looking
very unhappy. And yet she had been
married only six mouths; and to such
mice, handsome man." as all the young
ladies declared, that surely she ought to
have been happy with him. And SO she
had been. un,il--to tell the truth-Mr.
Bob Palmer forgetting. or seeming to for
get, that he was a married man. had re.
Gently taken to flirting with these yer,
young ladies', at all the fairs aud parties Of
Middleton, leaving his wife to ,aEa care Of
herself Surely i ya3 enough to make
any six months wife specially one
so sensitive rs Nelly
Not that Mr. Robert Palmer loved hi,
little wife hii less than on the day of his
marriage neither that Nellie suspected
him of it. But Mr. Palmer was gay
young man, and loved to amuso himself
and to be amused lie liked the society
Of pretty and lively women, both married
aud single, and in a word, he liked TO hirt
and saw no harm in il. So, while he hung
OYER the young ladies' chairs, laughing
aud paying gay compliments or prone
nading the balls or piazzas with the yeuug
married Indies. his wife would he looking
over a photograph album, or couyrrsing
solcmnly with some old gentleman. or 10.
ticing some shy and awkward child. while
pretending to bc unconscious of her hus.
bands proceedings. Not iha, she was
compelled to employ herself in this dull
way-she, usually so brch, and pretty
and agreeable she had no heart for
anything else now. OF late AL her live
illness and chatiiness had left her. aud she
answered nbsently, and smiled listlessly
and il compelled to dance or sing, did So
out of time and out Of tune, to her hus-
bands great vexaiion. 1t is thus that
many young wife settles down into n
dull ard faded old woman, whilst her hus-
band grows handsomer and hcarter and
wonders what on earth could have SO
changed her.
Halo, been crying again, | dcclarc"
exclaimed Mr.. Bob Palmer. suddenly ceas-
ing his little whistle, as be entered the
room, on returning from his Office. -
Whats the trouble now. Nellie? Cana.
ry refused to sing. or Madame Viglina
not put flowers enough IN yonr new bon
metz
"Oh, Bob, how can you o. sobbel poor
Nellie, beginning afrcsh.
Look here. Ellen" said her husband
sitting down on her lounge, nnd speaking
more seriously; Il don't like this n all
never come home that your eyes are not
rod and swollen With crying. What have
you to cry about. should like to know =?
It's an insult TO me to 60 sniveiing about
the house after this fashion, and moping
away in corners looking sullcn and miser-
able. as you did Inst night, at Mrs Mac.
Inns. Why, people will think me perfect
domestic tyrant
"Ah, Bob, don't speak so I can't
help it, indeed. ! do feel so miserable
You make me so. Boo"
II! Well. that is rich. Perhaps
you'll be good enough to le, me know Of
what enormi,y I've been guilty. that has
turned you into modern Niobe?"
Nothing really wrong, dear; but. oh
IL you knew how much wife thinks of
her husbands love. and" here poor Nell
lie broke down again. Mr.. Palmer's eyes
opened very wide
"Whep'" whistlcd he. "if this isn't
really absurd. So she's jealous :"
"Indccd no, dear Bob, but-but-ns she
could hardly speak for the choking in her
throat-"you can't understand the pride a
woman takes in having her husband treat
her with affection and respect before every
ono. or how !, humblcs and mortiaes her
to be neglected by him. and have other
women consider themselves her rivals
like Isabel Xndcn"
Mr.. Bob Palmer laughed outright. and
then he grew angry.
"You are an absurd little focl, Nellie -
he said. IA II Isabel Walden were any
thing to mo beyond lively and an agrec-
able young woman TO amuse ones sell
with at a party. Nonsense
".She don't think so. said Nellie "and
and the others don't think so. They
all think you are getting tired Of your
wife. and Isabel hattcrs herself that she
has cut mo out. andis trying to let people
know IT,"
"Fiddlcsticks 70 said Bob. rising impa.
ticntly from the lounge. "I'm asion;shcd