The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-03-14

bal u ula NOt last long, LueN, We haYl
been married Just two years TO day. III
viii not remember the day He left IN
this morning without kiss, as be alway
does Ile viii come back 10 dinner IN th,
same way, and aiter il i over he will q,
out to bis club, or-or some other place
aud never come home tin afier | hav,
gone TO bed Yet have been good ant
careful wife 10 him. have studied hi'
comtort IN every way. aud this is my re-
ward
She hid her face ia her hands as She
spoke. Lucy Moore bent over her and
whispered:
4 la every way save one, dear Mary
Mrs Strong looked up.
4 WHAT do you meani
Promise not 10 be angry aud will tell
on.
go on.
Your husband used to be fond of mu-
sic. DO you ever play or sing TO him
of an evening now?
Oh, no. We gave that mp long enough
ago,
But WHY
I'm sure | can't tell. Ii is such bore
TO practice.
Do you read aloud to hita, or have him.
read to you.
No. | used to; but somehow that is
given up too.
And your dress; shall You change 1t
before he comes home to dinner?
Mrs. Strong shook her head. She wore
dingy ilounced delaine, no collar or
cuffs, and her hair was rough and untidy
her whole look one ofextreme careless
ness.
lie would not notice it il did. Where
is the use, Lucyl 1t is all too late.
No II Is not too late Hnt IL may bo
soon, said Lucy, earnestly. Mary some
one ought to tell you, No one dares TO
but me. Your husband does not 20 to
his club Of an evening lie goes to Mrs.
Wylle's. You know her; you have heard
her name in society, The Queen of FIirts.
Mary she is a dangerous woman. She
lives but for admiration, and that she
means to have. Your husband gives her
admiration now; take care that he gives
no more-his love!
Mrs. Strong burst into tears.
What can | do? she walled. | know
that woman too well. What chance have
| against her?
Give yourselfa a chance, said Lucy, with
a kiss. Let your husband find pleasant
welcome from wife neatly dressed,
Mary. Forgive the hint. You have
beauty and grace. DO not neglect them
longer. Sing TO him. Mary play to him
charm and faciuate him. You have done
it once. Try again aud save him from
The Queen OF Flius.
She stole softly from the room. II had
not been Il pleasant essoU to receive; it I
might not have been pleasant one to
give-who shall say? But Mre. Strong
was . sensible a. well as a pretty woman, (
and five minutes after Lucy Moore had, 4
gone, she went mp to her own room, ac- .
knowledging that her friend had spoken
but the truth.
That evening, just after the street
lamps were lighted Mr.. Strong came
towards his home. CarelessIy
towards bis home. Carcles.ly: Yes that
was the word That house was fest be-
coming to him only place TO eat sleep,
and dless ina place for which he had to
pay rent and taxes, but in which he took
no comfort or pleasure, IL the truth must
be told
Never minds III go to Grace as soon
as dinner is over, and she will make IL up
to me, thought Mr.. Strong, as he opened
the front door with his lsich-key and
strode across tie hall.
Only half way, however, for there be-
fore him, al the foot Of the stairs, stood a
pretty woman, with satin.
smooth brown halt bright blue ewes, and
cheeks as red q, rotes, wearing q pretty
evening dress oi dark-blne six, and shin
ing ornaments npon her snowy neck aud
arm-.
Welcome home, dear james. size said.
with heavenly smile. II is tie second
Of our weddlng-day. Won't
you spend this evening with me. dear:
I'll. anly answer was Il close embrace
aud Sudden ki-s III. eyes were dim as
be ,ped up .iair to iii- own room 10 pre-
pare iar dinner
Brute ibat have been be thought to
himself
After dinner, on tho plea OF smoking
ync cigar he stole ont, and returned with
J pretty gold watch and chain as present
.of his wife They sang The old songs
THAI evening they talked long
itnc over iIae dying lire. An, II was not
90 iale. He loved her stu, and she had
saved bin and their happy home.
Tie lesson was no, lost upon her. From
.bat day -he bas never grown careless
never ceased 10 strive 70 keep her hus-
bands a. Aho ONCE tried 70 win ber loy-
IRIS love.
OBJ wives who weep and mourn while