The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-18

30 you nave nad your aunt mere to-day
| hope the room looked rather neate
than it does now
"l really did not take the trouble t
examine, nor do lcare," she replied, cold
ly, raising her eyes from the volume sh
was reading.
"Well, never mind. Was she her
long 2--was she kind ?" he inquired anx
iously.
"She stayed about ten minutes, sop
pose but | really could not be positive,
was the contemplative answer cat an,
rate she did not condescend to wait til
| came down"
"Do you mean that you let her g
away again without seeing her ? aske,
Darcy, sternly. Meta, this passes evel
your usual insouciance and neglect !"
II was dressing. l could not hell
that" she observed, sullenly. "And sh,
did not choose to wait a minute"
Darcy rang the bell without word
"What time did Mrs. Gerard call
Mary ?"
L" About 4 o'clock, sir"
"And how long did she stay ?"
about half an hour, sir"
"That will do. Now, Meta, he said
when the woman disappeared, "your usua
Incidence and procrastination have beer
the sole cause of what may be of rea
import to us both. Your uncle called OF
me this morning, and told me his wife
was going to see you, but that she must
be at the station by halfpast FIVE. He
alluded to an interview he had just had
with the head of one of our government
departments, who was about to arrange
for permanent secretary-ship, in bis
private capacity; and he thought he
could probably secure it for me though
he added, he certainly would not stand
sponsor for any one whe could not bear
the ordeal of a strict examination. 1t is
to be worth G700 per annum-half as
much again as could hope for, where
am, in twenty years. And you coolly
disgust his wife by your incapacity."
81 told you | was dressing, Darcy"
"And, pray, why was that put off till
that hour7 Certainly not from any
useful occupations" he said, bitterly
glancing round. THE curtains, l see,
are still hanging awry the chair cover
is not mended and that rent in the car.
pet will become hopeless fracture,
through your neglect"
II cannot help it, we want new Ones"
she said, sullcnly.
owe are very unlikely to get them or
five did, all would be as bad as ever in
six months. Netta-Netta, would that
| had been wise in time, and not mar.
ried a helpless, procrastinating wife,
without even sufficient love for me to con-
suit my wishes, or make my home happy"
"Really, Darcy, you are so cruel ~
she replied, (melting into tears that
might be either grief or passion.) ut is
not my fault that you cannot keep prop.
er servants and it is impossible that
can ruin my fingers by such hard work
Ana she T@ld Up TWO White dsdysi"s
palms that certainly did somewhat nlead
for indulgence in their refined beauty.
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 untidi-
ness of everything around you are so un-
worthy graceful and refined woman as
the severest work. Your own dress is
seldom without some defect, either in rents
or absence Of proper fastenings while
my linen is disgrace even to working
man. Surely there can be no difficulty
in such work as that ?"
"But they do wear out go soon, and |
hate plain needework Mamma always
attended to my clothes, and either you
must buy new ones, or | must give up all
my accomplishments"
Darcy bit his lip to restrain an impre-
cation more energetic than polite and
when he did speak it was in tone Of
calm displeasure.
81 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
linen Tomorrow, for instance, think
it is very doubtful whether have a re.
spectacle shirt in which to appear before
Mr.. Culver"
"They are coming home from the aun-
dress tonight, Darcy. | don't suppose
you have one in your drawer. | really
cannot help it," she answered, yawning.
81 am sure wish with all my heart that
you may get the appointment. 1t is
such complete housemaid's work that you
not to expect me to do it,"
Darcy did not reply, but rang the bell
with rather unnecessary violence.
"ls dinner ready ?" he asked, as the
slatterenly servant-of-all-work appeared.
~lt %ltes is already past the time at least
LA, sir why the butcher did not
send the meat till about an hour ago. |
can't help it if it's not done. You must
not scold me. sir"
The husband said nothing, bnt turned
away with withering glance of contempt
that ought to have cut the very heart of
true and loving wife
"Netta, | am going out !" he observed,
coolly, after the servent had left the
room. at is unnecessary for me to say
that you need not wait dinner for me !"
"Really, Darcy, you are SO cross
Men are such tiresome creatures lam
sure we women do not care so much about
our dinners"
"Nor your duties either.it would appear.
However, | hope you will enjoy the tardy
meal when it comes, I daresay | shall
not be late but you need not wait for
me-"
darcy, where in the world are you
going what do you mean ?" calculated
the astounded girl but ere she had found
breath to pronounce the words, the street
door had closed, and Meta st. Ives, for
the first time since her marriage, was left
In .at n snlitaru 1ipnar NTH ubot annat;ta a