Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-05-10
THE WIFE'S LESSON.

"What! crying again, Fanny" exclaimed
Mr. Thomas Merritt, as, opening the door ofl
his vif.'s dressing room, he discovered the girl.
ian figure reclining upon the lounge, with her
face buried in pocket-handkerchief "ln the
name Of goodness. what is the matter now"
"No,hing, Tom," answered Fanny, with
.mothered sob, and rubbing her eyes very hard
with the handkerchief, in order to keep back
her tears.
"Then, if nothing is the matter, what in the
world are you crying about% repeated her hus-
hand. in tone Of vexati0n. 81 tell you what,
Fanny, it is anything bat agreeable TO fellow
10 come home from q tiresome days work at bis
Office, and in place Of smiles and welcome, be
met with tears and sulkiness. 1t wasn't 50 with
YOU before we were married"
"Oh, Tom !"
"Last evening, for instance" resumed Mr..
Tom Merritt in an injured tone, 'at Mrs. Bow.
er's, instead Of making yourself agreeable, and
being credit to me, you were as sulky as could
be, hiding away in a corner and looking 40 mis-
cradle that everybody must have noticed il. |
dare say they have all net me down as domes-
tic tyrant, thinking it must of course be my
fault that my wife is 40 changed, and that only
six months afier our marriage"
"And it is your fault, Tom!" answered Fanny,
lifting her fearful face, and looking at him res
outely.
my fault? Whew! Well, that is rich. Pray
what have I done? Have I ever spoken un-
kindly to you, or denied you anything"
"No, Tom."
"Ain't l always ready to do anything for or
"Yes, Tom; know, dear, you're very good,
and don't mean to be unkind; but, on, if you
knew how it worries me"
How what worries you" inquired Mr..
Thomas, opening his eyes, and looking very
much puzzled.
"Why, your-your flirting with those women.
You know you do, Tom, and us OF no use de-
nying it. Last night you we're promenading z
with that bold Miss Maddox a whole hour on
the piazza. in the moonlight, leaving me alone
and then saw you hanging over Louisa Beck
with's chair, whispering 10 her, and she tapped
you with her FAM and said, "you naughty mani!
and then she looked at me a. if she enjoyed my
modification and her own triumph. And, OH
Tom, you don't know how painful and humila.
ting it all is to me to be neglected in public BY
my own husband, and see him flirting with
othersp'
And Fanny burst afresh into hysterical tears
"Well, do declare, If this amt the most alb
surd joke ever heard Off exclaimed MI. Mer
ritt. "ro think of your being jealous -"
Il amt jealous, Tom. know you love m,
as asmuch as ever; only"
"Ouly you're little goose, Fan. The ide,
OF your noticing all that nonsense, and worrying
yourself about it! Why, a man must amus'
himself in some way or other at these stupit
parties Look here I've no patience with
these foolish women's fancies and had hopes
that my wife was superior TO SUCH Now. al
I've got to say is this that instead Of hidin,
away in dark corners, and watching and spyin'
upon your husband, you just amuse younself a
| do, in little innocent filtration. It'll do n
harm to any one, and will make you muc
more attractive than you are nowp'
And Mr.. Merritt, having thus delivered him
sell, left the room, closing the door after hin
with unnecessary emphasis.
1t was gay season in Westville and on tn
very evening after this scene Mrs. Marmaduk
Plummer was to give her party-expected to
an unusually brilliant one on account Of II
number Of eligible strangers then in town a
tending great political gathering. Mrs. Me
ritt hadn't intended going to this party, but &
some reason she changed her mind, dressed he
self with elaborate care, entered Mrs. PlummeI
crowded parlors looking 40 pretty and gracef
tiat her husband was q ati6ed by the admire
glances directed toward her.
"Alnuse yourself and be as gay a. possib
tan," he whispered, dropping her arm, al
turning to Mias Beckwith, a bold, gay, "6irtin
girl, who had once essayed TO entrap the ham
some young bachelor. and never forgave Fam
Dale her successful rivalship.
Fanny glanced for moment wistfully afl
her husband; but just then gentleman addre
cd her, and With an effort she turned 10 h
with pleasant smile and answered gaily; .
then the two saunter OF into more quiet ps
Of the room. Mr.. Merritt looking that way
ter while. was surprised TO behold his wife
centre Of group Of gentlemen.
"How we'll she Is looking, and in what e
spirits /" was his thought with gratifed feel
IN seeing his wife evidently attractive. A
then he resur,el his airting attentions to
ladies' in general, and in particular to N
Beckwith. Not that hs cared straw for her
even admired her in the least; but a be had .,
she amused him tor the time.
"How much your wife is enjoying hersel
remarked the young lady, maliciously.
haven't seen her 40 gay since her marriage.
Fanny can be very lively and agreeable::w
she choosea." be returned, quietIy-not m
liking MiB Beckwith's tone. q,
"Ar. Harrington seems to think so," she
served, significantly. "What handsome,
gsnt'looking msn he isl don't wonder
Ma Aerritt's bsing 20 lively With him
20 agreeable and interesting"
Tom Merritt looked at his wife and her c
panion more sttentivsly than before. The
Yer was strangers very elegant and styl
looking man, and he was bending q little c
Fanny chair, talking to her with an intere.
look. Tom did not like the manner, neither