Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-23
NO.. l4s.


''But need not ask. You always have
time and are always in time for every
thing"
"Flatterer ~ laughed the lady, gaily.
"As if there could be any merit in per-
forming duties you make SO easy. How
ever, have no doubt / can see your niece
before it is time to drive to Euston square;
ana can easily arrange with Manvers to
pack all have left and meet me there.n
''You are one of the few women /
would trust in an emergency answered
her husband. Where the last train is in
the case its no jest to miss if; but l do
not fear you, Janet So goodbye for the
present my love"
Mr.. Gerard looked five years younger,
and whole summer sunshine brighter,
than before his marriage, three years ago;
and there was actual love- tenderness in
his glance as he handed his wife into the
hired brougham waiting for her London
round of calls and shopping, while he
went into the CITY to transact the business
that brought him to town.
1T was the evening of that day when
Darcy entered the small, suburban villa,
which was the utmost their slender income
admitted, and walked hastily and with
smle-each day becoming more rare on
his handsome features-into the drawing
| room.
"Well, Netta," he said, glancing rather
ruefully round the little apartment. $50
you've had your aunt here to-day. /
hope the room looked rather neater than
it does nown
Il really did not take the trouble to ex-
anime, nor do care" she replied, coldly,
raising her eyes from the volume she was
reading.
"Well, never mind. Was she here long?
was she kind ?" he inquired, anxiously.
''She stayed about ten minutes, sup
pose; but really could not be positive"
was the contemptuous answer. "At any
rate she did not condescend to wait till
came down."
:'Do you mean that you let her go away
again without seeing hcr?" asked Darcy,
sternly. Meta this passes even your usu-
al insouciance and neglectr' p
Twas dressing. Icould not help that"
she observed, sullenly 'And she did not
choose to wait q minute.
Darcy rang the bell without word,
What time did Mrs. Gerard call, Ma
?''
about 4 o'clock, sir.''
"And how long did she stay P"
about half an hour, sir"
That will do. Now, Meta, he said.
when the woman disappeared, "your usual
Incidence and procrastination have been
the sole cause of what may be of real inn
port to us both. Your uncle called on me
this morning, and told me his wife was
going to see you, but that she must be at
the station at half-past five. He alluded
to an interview he had just had with the
head of one of our government depart
ments, who was about to arrange for
permanent secretarvship, in his private
capacity; and he thought he could proba-
bly, secure it for me- though, he added,
he certainly would not stand sponsor for
| any one who could not bear the ordeal of
| n strict examination. 1t is to be worth
5000 per annum-half rs much again
| as | could hope for, where | am, in twenty
years. And you coolly disgust his wife by
your incapacity."
Il told you l was dressing, Darcy"
'And, pray, why was that put off till
that hour? Certainly not from any useful
OCCUPATIONS he said, bitterly, glancing
round. The curtains, | see, are still
mended, and that rent in the carpet will
become hopeless fracture, through your
neglect.
Il cannot help it we want new ones,'
she said, sullenly.
We are very unlikely to get them; or
if we did. all would be as bad as ever in
six months. Netta-Netta. would that l
had been wise in time, and not married a
helpless, procrastinating wife, without
even sufficient love for me to consult my
wishes, or make my home happy
Really, Darcy, you are so eruelr she
ranllp6
be either grief or passion.) 1t is not my
fault that you cannot keep proper servants;
and it is impossible that l can ruin my
fingers by such hard work-if my hands
are to look like lady's.'
And she held up two white, delicate
palms that certainly did somewhat plead
for indulgence in their refined beanty.
Darcy st Ives shook his head, even as he
drew the weeping girl to his heart.
Heaven knows, and you know, that /
would willingly spare you every hardship,
but Meta, the disorder and the untidiness
of everything around you are as unworthy
a graceful and refined woman as the sever
est work. Your own dress is seldom with
ont some defect, either in rents or absence
of proper fastenings; while my linen is
disgrace even to a working man. Surely
there can be no difficulty in such work as
that ?"
'But they do wear out so soon, and I
hate plain needlework! Mamma always
attended to my clothes, and either you
must buy new ones, or l must give up all
my accomplishments"
Darcy bit his lips torestrain an impreca-
ton more energetic than polite and when
he did speak it was in a tone OF calm dis
pleasure.
Il will not get into debt. Meta; nor
do think it necessary. There are men in
my office without larger incomes than
mine, who make at any rate creditable
appearance-more especially in their lin
en-. Tomorrow, for instance, think it
is very doubtful whether l have respec-
table Shirt in which to appear before Mr..
Culver"
"They are coming home from the laun-
dress tonight, Darcy. l don't suppose
YOU have one in your draw. l really can