The Portland daily press., 1872-08-31
George Clements Wife.

NCOASN OACAuOuU y w l1Cs
'Of all things this is the worst! If ever
in all my life expected to hear such news
Why, our George has gone and got married!
Dye hear?"
Good Mrs. Clements pushed her steel
bowed spectacles off her bright eyes, and
dropped her letter in her lap as she turned
round to her husband, the stout, clever old
farmer, who was contentedly stroking the old
white cat
''Deaoon, dye hearp'
This time when she asked the question
there was a touch of sharpness in her voice.
eyes, what if he is married? Pm sure it's
natural enough. 1t kind runs in the family,
pears to me-"
But Mrs. Clements wonld take no notice of
the little pleasantly.
''Well, if you like it, 1 can tell you don't.
He needn't think he's coming here, with his
fine City-bred lady, all airs and graces, and
founces and futed ruffles. There's plenty of
good girls hereabout that wanted him. Right
in the middle of work, too! to talk of bring
ing lady here in hog-killin' time! l do de-
clare l think George is fool"
A graceful, dainty little lady, in garnet
poplin anG rufded apron, with a small, proud
ly poised head, covered with short, dusky
curls, and pair of dark blue eyes, so vistful
and tender, tiny rosebud OF mouth, and
dimple in one pink cheek.
That was Mrs. Marion Clements. Was it
any wonder that George had fallen in love
with her.
She sat in the bright little parlor, close be-
side the lace-cur' aimed window, watching for
the loved husbands return; and then, when
she heard the click of the latch-key in the
hall, flew for the welcome kiss.
Haven't you the letter this time, George
Eve felt sure of it all day. Indeed, I've quite
decided what dresses to take with me-"
He smiled and shook his head.
A cloud passed over her pretty face.
so George isn't it too bad? And do be-
lieve they won't write because they are sorry
you married me-"
He put his arms around her neck.
Sand suppposing such be the case; do you
think it would make any difference to me %
"Oh, no! no! emily it would grieve me so if
l knew l had alienated your own parents
from you."
"And a one-sided alienation it would be,
tool They have never seen you, and when
they know you they can't help loving YOU"
80 Georger'
And the exclamation was caused by the
kiss accompanying his loving fattery.
That's true as preaching. By the by, my
dear, what would you say if the firm sent me
off on a travelling tour of six weeks ?"
A little dismayed cry answered him.
''You won't stay here alone, Ell? But,
Marion, it would be five hundred dollars clear
gain to u.s.
what need we care for money? I'd rath-
er have you.''
A mischevous smile played on the young
mans lips: he was more matter-of-fact than
this romantic, tender little wife of his.
Il think the addition to our balance at the
bankers would be very consoing for the alb
sence But never mind little pet. Let's 90
down to dinner. l hope we'll get a letter
from home soonp'
And soon it was; for Marion snatched it
from his coat pocket the very next night
But her husbands face looked very grave and
stern, and his eyes looked angry when she
looked glesfully over the envelope.
My dear, you must remember l care very
little for what the letter contains. Remember
did not write it; that you are dearer to me
than ever before. Kiss me, first, while l
watch YOU"
A little pang of misdoubt troubled her when
she glanced over the note; then tears stole
from under her lashes, and George saw her
tender mouth culver and tremble; then when
she had finished it, she laid her head down on
his shoulder and cried.
st was cruel to let you see it, my wounded
birdie. Let me bnrn it, And don't forget,
Il ave father and mother, and cleave to his
wife. You are my precious wife, Marion, and
to you turn for all the happiness my life
will ever hold"
He dried her tears, and then they talked it
over.
Gust because l am city-bred she thinks l
am lazy, and naughty, and dainty, and"-
'Never mind, Marion. She will find out
some day. My father
ssYnc hlQea the dAar MD H. L.n
added: My love to my daughter Marion
oh, know l should love him, and your
mother too, if she would let me.'
"We will invite them down, when 1 come
home. By the way, Marion, Twill stop at the
farm on my way home and invite them down,
and bring them home with me.''
George, dear, have been thinking about
the trip west. / think you had better go,
and leave me at home. 1t won't be SO very
long"
Marion was eating her egg while she spoke
across the coy little tete-a-tete breakfast
table.
''Spoken like my true little Marion, and
when come back I'll bring you present
What shall it be ?''
''Your mother and father from the farm.
1t shall be that hope that will bear me COM
pany when you are gone.''
A fortnight after that Marion Clement. ate
her breakfast alone, the traces of tear or SO
on her pink cheek; then she dashed them
away with merry, joyous laugh.
This will never do, and now that George
has gone for six weeks, to prepare for his re-
turn. And L pray heaven il shall be such a
coming as shall delight his very SOUL"
Pm sure don't know what to say. The
land knows l need help bad enough, but it
pears to me such slender little midget as
annlHp1f 90 rnv ntIr calf I,o%
say your name wasp"
MARY Smith. And indeed if you will try
me for week, 1 am sure you will keep me
till the seasons over
Mrs. Clements looked out of the window at
the great c!ouds that were piling gloomily up
and then the wind gave great wailing
shrek around the corners of the house.
You can cook, ken you? or shake up
feather beds-good big ones, forty pound
ers?'
A gleeful little laugh came from Mary's
lips.
"Indeed I can. I may not cook to suit
you, but can learn"
Mrs. Clements walked out to the huge
open fireplace in the kitchen where the dea-
con was Smelling corn
What dye say, deacon; keep her or not?
kind o.like her looks, and the dear knows
it 'ud be good lift while we're kiln if she |
mush for the bread"
Take her of course, Hannah. You are
hard driv' know. LIE. her stop week or
so anyhow"
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back and
sat down again.
You can't get away tonight, anyhow,
there's snow storm been brewin' these
three days, and its on us now, sure enough. |
See them ere fakes, fine and thick. You
may as well take your things up stairs to the
west garnet, and then come down and help
me get supper"
Then followed directions to the west gar
ret, and when she was gone, Mrs. Clements
turned to the deacon: 81 never saw girl
before I'd trust up stairs alone. But such as
her don't steal; can tell you that if moth
ing else"
Directly she came down in a purple print
dress and white apron; her hair brushed off
from her face into net; q narrow linen col