Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-15
The Best wife in the World.

got the same iucnllCai dIt!Cle oHI oenh'no
wife keeps all tie money, draws lis salary fol
him, and makes him livein the back kitchen
because the parlor is too good for the family
to nse."
90 but Daisy isn't a bit ogerish-a little
submissive, soft-voiced thing, that hasn't an
idea except what is reflected from me. tell
you what, old fellow, I'm the master Of my
own house. | come when please and 60 when
| please. Daisy never ventures on word ol
reproach."
"Tben you ought to be ashamed of your
larking around at the club as you do, dissipat-
cd bachelor fashion"
Ashamed What OFF,
"Why, l suppose You owe some duties to
your wife? ?"
"Wheres the harm? Ny wife doesn't
care"
Probably you think so because she is
quiet and submissive but if she were to OBJ
jet"
ODleCL u llhd W
Now, look here, Ainscourt, your wife may
be model wife, but you certainly are not a
model husband People are beginning to talk
about the way you neglect that pretty little
blue-eyed girl"
an thank people to mind. their own busi-
ness. Neglect her, indeed Why, man, love
her as love my own soul"
"Then why don't you treat her as if you
did,"
90, come, Portcros,, that question just
shows what regular old bachelor you are
It won't do to make too much Of your wife
unless you want to spoil her."
Mr. Portcross shook his head.
"That sounds selfish. don't like the ring
Of that metal"
And be went away, leaving Mr.. Ainscourt
to finish his game of billiards at leisure
"What q regular old fuss-budgct Portcross
is" laughed the latter. Always poking his
nose into somebody elses business. There's
one comfort-I never pay any attention to
what be says"
Meanwhile Mrs. Ainscourt was sitting alone
in her drawing room, her two little white
hands tightly locked in one another, ane her
fair head slightly drooping-a delicate little
apple blossom, Of woman, with blue wistful
eyes and curly haxen hair, looking moro like
grown-up child than a wife of twenty-onc
summers.
go, dearl" sighed Daisy at is so dull
here. wish Herbert would come home lie
never spends any time with me nowadays,
and practise all his favorte songs, and read
the newspapers, so I can talk about the things
he's interested in, and try so hard to be enter
tanning. It's very strange"
And then her oval face frightened into sud-
den brlliance and the sparkles stole into her
eyes, for her quick car had detected her hus-
bands footstep on the stair. The next mo-
ment he came in
"Well, pet, how are you ?" with playful
pinch of her check. There arc some bon
bons for you Where are my light gloves ?"
40, HERBERT you are no: going away
again ~
"I must, Daisy There are a lot Of fellows
going to drive to High Bridge, and I'm one of
the party. You can 60 over to my mothers
for dinner, or send for one of your friends, or
something. There, goOdby, puss; I'm in a
deuse Of hurry"
And, with one careless kiss pressed on the
quvering damask rose Of a mouth that was
lifted up to him, he was gone.
Daisy Ainscourt neither went to her moth
er-in-law, nor sent for one of her girl friends
She spent the evening all alone, ponderiDg on
the shadow which was fast over growing her
life
"What shall do ?" thought the little, tim
id, shrinking wife, 40, what shall do p
But, child as she was, Daisy had strong,
resolute womans heart within her, nor was
she long in coming to decision.
"Daisy, said her husband to her, the ncat
day, "you haven't any objections 10 my at
tending the Orion Ball Maspuo?'
"Are masked balls nice places, Herbert1"
40, yes, everybody goes only ! thought I'd
pay you the compliment of asking whether
you disapproved or not"
Can 60 with you?"
Well-ahem-no very well this time,
Daisy. You see, Mrs. Frenchman really
binted so strongly for me to-take her that !
couldn't help it,
"yery well" !" asscnted Daisy, meeklyj and
Herbert repeated within himself the pEan Of
praises he had chanted in Mr. Portcross' cars.
&" The best little wife In the world y
But, notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Aims
court was not exactly pleased, when, at the
self-same Ball Masque, during the gay period
Of uumaskiDg, be saw his wife's innocent face
crowning the picturesque costume Of a Bayar-
ian peasant girl.
Halo /" he CALCULATED, rather upgraciOu.ly,
you here?"
"Yes," lisped Daisy, with girlish smile
Z" You said everybody went. And, o, Hes-
bert, isn'tit nice ?"
Ainscourt said nothing more, but Mrs.
Frenchurch found him very stupid compan-
ion for the remainder Of the evening.
liz ,rnc Iatn M dinner fhe next day: but