The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-05-05

white lawn dress, dotted over with small blue
forget,me-not and plain lace cap. A slight
rs she lifted them to mine. were full of smiiing
welcomes. She looked pure and beautiful as y
conseoratsd vestal. I saw my friends eyes
ere he gave Himself P1 mp to the ssrse
able work that lay before him.
l noticed that while my friends wife did
urging ons dish after sn snoshep Ses
guest and her husband, she ate very little her
self. The fact must have escaped the observa-
demonstrated. could not help saying, as I
s saw her playing with, instead of eating, her
Don't you eat anything, Bertba,"n had
known her many years-even before her mar
familiarity.
"Oh, she lives on air spoke up my friend,
smiling; " so don't initiate her example while
ut Fern Dale i am made of grosser stuff, and
can't get on without the substantial things
that make up what are called creature CONF
Bertha smiled in return, and looked beauti-
ful, but too ethereal in my eyes.
After dinner we drove out, leaving Bertha at
home with her children and domestic duties.
Not word was said about her going with us.
Our drive was over breezy hills, and amidst
scenery Of the most charming character.
through the exhi1irating air: 1t was sunset
when we returned, both of as keen for
supper as though a hearty meal had not been
The warmer glow that mantled Bertha's
cheeks at dinner-time had faded; and as
looked at her across the tea table noticed an
expression Of weariness about her eyes, and q
| langud falling OF the lips, that made me feel
uncomfortable. She asked if I had enjoyed
the ride, and listened with much apparent in
| fine scenery through which we had driven. 1
was little surprised, however, to learn from
remark she made that she had never looked
After supper my friend and retired to the
library, where we spent the evening alone,
talking of old times discussing the merits of
topics 'U Of the day. Bertha did not ioia us.
! Once asked for her. l had pleasant recOllec-
tions of hours spent in her company.
with ths
smiling in his easy, good -natured way. Ser
tina has become . famous housewife"
She has too mnGh intellect for such life
thing more than q simple housewife"
know til know it," replied my friend,
with o slight closing of his brows. "but women
household have completely absorbed her"
"Do you think this absorption of her life q
good one-a healthy one-for either mind or
perhaps not But there is wonderful
power of adaptation in nature, you are
aware. I suppose it will all work out right
does no good. never permit myself to get
worried over what can't be helped. / am
something of philosopher You know, and
manage, under all circumstances, to keep D
quiet mind. If Bertha likes her way best,
| why, SO be it shes o good, loving, over-indul-
gent wife to me, and won't force her ont of
the world she seems most pleased to dwell in,
though our tastes do run parallel in so many
things, and we might enjoy SO much together"
My friends feelings lay close to the surface:
and observed his eyes glisten as he turned
tenderly any man who loved his own ease
and pleasure as we'll as he did could love any
thing except himself. She was, in his eyes, the
paragon among women. He was proud of her
very proud of her.
On the next morning, when met Bertha at
breakfast, and looked narrowly into her face,
/ saw more of the work of exhaustion than
had noticed on the day before. The pearly
skin lay in flat surfaces on her cheeks, fore
head and shrapken nostrils. instead of showing
rounded undulations. Her lips very
thin and white. Her eyes-large. dark, and
lnstrous-shone out upon you from a farther
distance in their shadowy orbits: She
eating, as 1 could see; while her husband piled
: away the steak, mullins, and omelet in q most
' liberal fashion, and kept himself so busy at
= this pleasant work to permit his wifes alb
I stemiousness to escape observation.
, You don't look we'll this morning." said I,
, feeling really concerned.
Bertha smiled family, as her husband turned
a look of inquiry upon her face, and ans wered:
: my head aches a little" And then added,
s II hope my frettins baby didn't keep you
= didn't sleep for an hour at time all night.
=. Husband had to go into another room. He
can't bear loss of rest"
T NO." said he; IL must have my regular
sleep. How these women manage to worry
night after night with their babies, up and
down at all hours, is more than l can under
, stand. 1t would kill me-"
Bertha coushed slightly; cleared her throat,
and coughed again two or three times. There
was q sound in the cough that was unpleasant
to my ears. Iglanced towards my friend to
see how it affected him, but he had not appear
, | ed to notice it.
"And kills the mothers sometimes" VEN
tured to remark.
My friend looked at me for moment or two,
as if had disturbed him slightly, and then
= went on with his breakfast. 1 noticed the
, cough again once or twice during the meal.
| After breakfast my friend and retired
alone to the library, leaving Bertha to her n,n-
ternal and household cares. sail the
! river which ran along one side of my friends
estate, and in that "tairest of pleasure-boats"
about which he had written to ME, was to be
our forenoon's occupation. After spending an
hour or two in the library, talking and read
ing, we went down to the river, my friend
carrying q lunch basket which Bertha had
placed in his hand.