The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-10-25
The Wife's Lesson.

w Astls u at5dllf GA-
claimed Mr.. Thomas Merritt, as, opening
the door of his wife's dressing-roc m, he
discovered the girlish figure reclining
upon the lounge, with her face buried
in a pocket handkerchief. 'In the
name Of goodness, what is the matter
now ?r
"Nothing, Tom," answered Fanny,
with smOthered sob, and rubbing her
eyes very hard with the handkerchief in
order 10 keep back the tears
"Then, if nothing is the matter, what
in the world are you crying about 2" re-
peated her husband, in a tone of veXa-
tiOn. II tell you what, Fanny, 1t is
anything but agreeable TO fellow TO
come home from a tiresOme days work
at his Office, and in place of smiles and
welcome, be met with tears and sulki-
ness. 1t wasn't so with you before we
were married"
"0h, TOmw
"Iast evening, for instances" re-
sumed Mr.. Tom Merritt, in an injured
tone, "at Mrs. Bowers, instead of max
ing yourself agreeable, and being a
credit to me, you were as sulky as cenld
be, hiding away in a corner and look
ing so miserable that everybody must
have noticed it. / dare say, they have
all set me down as a domestic tyrant,
thinking it must, of course, be my fault
that my wife is so changed, and that
only six months after our marriage"
"And it is yOllr fault, TOmw answered
Fanny, lifting her fearful face, and look
ing at him resolutely.
my fault? WheW! Well, that is
rich. Pray, what have I done? Have
ever spoken unkindly to you, or denied
you anything?" -n
''NO, Tom"
"Ain't 1 always ready to do anything
for, or 90 anywhere with you ?"
ayes, Tom; l know, dear, you are
very good, and don't mean to be unl1ind;
but, oh, if you knew how it worries
me?n
"HOw what worries you? ," inquired
Mr.. Thomas, opening his eyes and look
ing very much puzzled.
"Why, your-your flirting with those
women. You know you do, Tom, and
it's of no use denying it. Last night
you were promenading with that bold
Miss Maddox whole hour on the pi-
aZZa, in the moonlight, leaving me
alone; and then / saw you hang over
Louisa Beckwith's chair, whispering to
her, and she tapped you with her fan,
and said, you naughty MANI and then
looked at me as if She enjoyed my NOR
tificatiOn and her own triumph. And,
oh, Tom, you don't know how painful
and humiliating it all is to me to be
neglected in public by my own hus-
band, and see him flirting with othersr'
And Fanny burst afresh into hys-
terical tears.
'fWell, do declare, if this amt the
most absurd joke l ever heard of?' ex-
claimed Mr.. Merritt. 'TFo think of your
being Jealous"
''I amt Jealous, Tom. i know YOU
love me as much as ever; only"
"You're little goose, Fan. The idea
of your noticing all that nonsense, and
worrying yourself about it, Why, a
man must amuse himself in some way
or other at these stupid parties. Look
herel pye no patience with these foolish
women's fancies, and had hoped that
my wife was superior to such. Now, all
have got to say is this, that instead
watching and spying upon your hus-
band, you just amuse yourself as | do,
in a little innocent Irritation. It'll do
no harm to any one, and will make you
more attractive than you are nOwn
And Mr. Merritt, having thus delivered
himself, left the room, closing the door
after him with unnecessary emphasis.
1t was a gay season at Westville, and
on the very evening after this scene
Mrs. Marmaduke Plummer was to give
her party-eXpected to be a brilliant one
on account of the number of eligible
strangers then in town attending a great
political gathering.
Mrs. Merritt hadn't intended going to
the party, but for some reason she
changed her mind, dressed herself with
elaborate care, and entered Mrs. Plum
mers crowded ParlOrs, looking so pretty
and graceful that her husband was graf
lhed by the admiring glances directed
towards her.
Amuse yourself and be as gay as pos
sible, Fam" he whispered, dropping her
arm and turning TO Miss Beckwifh. a
boldi gay, hlrtng' girl, who had once
essayed to entrap the handsome Young
bachelor, and never forgave Fanny Dale
her successful rivalship.
Fanny glanced for a moment wist-
fully after her husband; but lust then n
gentleman addressed her, and with an
effort she turned to him with a smile.
and answered gaily; and then the two
sauntered OF into a more quiet part of
tie room. Mr.. Merritt, looking that
way after awhile, was surprised to be-
hold his wife the center Of group Of
gentlemen.
''How well she is looking, and in
what good spiritsp' was his thought,
with n gratified feeling in seeing his
wife evidently so attractive. And then
he resumed his flirting attentions to the
ladies in general, and in particular to
MISS Beckwiih. Not that he cared a
straw Tor her, or even admired her in
tne least, but as he had said, she amused
him for the time.
HOW Sr'', much your wife is enioving
nefseI!' remarked the young lady MAJ
nclously- Il haven't seen her - GOV
since her marriage Say
"tanny can be very lively aud o,,,,,
able when she choses.n he s,1 ra.,Ss,osI 1870
quietly-not much liking Miss 'pl.lGu PnaS'
with's tone. MSS oech-
"Mr. Harrington seems IN tbirI. >,
she observed, significantly. aIh aXVhat
handsome, elegant-loolxing mon Ia nav q
/ don't wonder at Mrs. AIeTrifjs III. iie Is!
lively with him; he's so agreeabIn so
interesting" anu
Tom Merritt looked at his v,ifo -,
her companion more attentivelv thu
before. The latter was a stranger sri''ii u
very elegant and stylish-looking7 ma "
and he was bending a little over FtIa'i' Fa,'
ny's chair, talking to her with an =,
terested look. Tom did not exactIv ILL.,
the manner, neither the smile y,itt
which his wife, glancing up into NJ
liarriugfonis face grchlV q a,,e,,.----