Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-15

: cause he did not possess those ''highc
intellectual needs" spoken OF 10y Mari
Somers, that he never missed her sym
patby Herewith, for whenever he talked
whether of fields, or flowers, or birds, oI
books. or business, he always found hcl
a genial and nppreciativc listener
1t is true they did not rail at she world
and their tellow-bcings. AS Mark and
Miss Reeves were in the habit of doing
or enter into metaphysical discussions, OF
fancy that nortals had never before been
created with such sensitive and finely at.
tuned organization rs theirs. But they
were very happy for all That, and John
Hilton thought it the proudest moment in
his life when kathie shyly owned her
love, and confessed that he was learer to
her than "all the world
Marks wooing was somewhat different.
For Claudia Reeves, with all her romance
and sentiment, looked at love in II Tar
moro practical light than our little Kathie,
and regarded rather the eligibility OF the
suitor than her own feelings. Mark
possessed q comfort a6lc income, but was
not rich. and this was the reason she
kept him yacillating So long between
hope and fear. alternately inviting and
repelling his advances. But Claudia was
nearly twenty five, and was dependent
on MI aunt whom she detested. and Mark
was handsome and had elegant mannors.
and so the scale turned in his favor.
The two weddings were Is unlike as
possible. One was quiet and unpretend-
ing, the other all show aud glitter. Both
couples went 10 housekeeping Mt once,
but Claudia did so reluctantly. protesting
that it would cost far more than board
| ing And SO il did under her manage
mcnt but not under Ksihie's. For while
Kaihe consulted comfort, and was chief
~ anxious 10 please her husband. Claudia
sacrificed case TO luxury. and sought the
worlds approval rather than Marks.
a year went by. and to each household
came little stranger. Claudia had but
a cold welcome ready. Children aro
such nuisance. she said to Mark, Il
always detost them. OF course I shall
feel differently toward my own, but Is
for making such sacrifice Tor them rs
some mothers do. never could
The two families were on visiting
terms. aud Mark Somers. loyal husband
as he strove to be, could not holp con-
tras,ing kathie's cheerful content with
his wiie's ill.humor aud dissatisfaction,
| for when it was too late, Claudia began
10 think her marriage fatal mistake.
and that she might have duUe better il
she had waited longer She was not
wise enough to keep her disappointment
to herself but let ii be seen in nnmberless
ways.
"You had no right to marry on such y
beggarly income. she said bitterly, when
Mark reproaccd her for some extrava-
ganco. "OI all evils poverty is the
worst
My circumstances were known 10
YOU" he replied with dignity. but au
angry flush dyed his checks. Pardon
me though, if think The word beggarly
hardly applicable to an income Of five
thousand dollars year. John Hilton
has but little over half of thai. and yUt
they manage 10 live, and so iar rs we can
see. as comfortable. .or more 50, than we. y
ooh. MIS-. Hilton i, famous house.
keeper. and | have no talent Tor any
thing like that. Shea completely
wrapped up in her husbands society. |
could not live such i life of stagnalion."
"But home duties ought 10 claim =
share of your attention. Claudia, I'm II
little tired OF balls, and parties. and OPP
eras, aud this constant gayety and eX-
citement. The cost of it is more than
we can afford"
1--WE may as well understand each
other, first as last" she answered coldly.
al was never intended for a household
drudge and don't intend to sink into one.
Because you are growing humdrum and
commonplace. it is no reason | should. "
Certainly not" and he smiled sarcas
tically. Sacrifice what YOU will to So
oietY; l cannot prevent it; but upon ono
thing | shall insist. and that is. that you
do not run into debt any more"
II hate economy, and TO be always
thinking of ways and means,' shs said
pettishly. "You ought 10 have married
a woman like Mrs. Hilton. She's just
petty. minded enough to delight in such
things"
Mark Somers looked at his wife a little
critically. She had on soiled wrapper.
her hair was uncombed, and her whole
appearance SLOW only In the extreme. She
kept her fine raiment rs she did her wit
and grace and conversational talents-lor
the world-and thought it would be
waste of materials TO use either at home.
All this was the woman whose delicate
senslbiities he had rated so high above
Kathie. He could not help thinking ot
it now. and recalling picture he had
seen that morning on the way to The
ofiice-Mrs. Hilton romping with her
baby. her cheeks all a.b!oom, her eyes
brimming over with laughter, and as
daintily dressed as if for party. Claudia
would have sneered at the ruffied white