The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-06-07

What do you mean 2" she demanded
as she accompanied her husband up the
broad steps to the door.
| mean" he replied, ''this is the home
and this the workshop"
And he led her in Among other rooms
to which he conducted his wife was one
lifted up as workshop, where he said he
was accustomed to indulge his love for
mechanical work, after having, as he as
sured her, regularly served his time at
learning trade.
Mrs. MAXWELL stood and looked at him
intently.
This is your house p she asked.
" Yes, madam"
" And you are not poor, but rich ?"
"You speak the truth, Mrs. MAXWELL. "
" And why did you play this jest upon
meP"
"TO see whether you really loved me
for my own sake"
"Ah, pretty, indeed And suppose you
don't love me p
But do"
Humph!"
So there was a little family quarrel on
the spot.
"Now invite your father and mother to
come and see us, said Mr.. MAXWELL, after
the clouds had cleared away, somewhat.
" | will, she replied. Il will. But
first you must 60 with me to see them,
and to pacify them, in view of what we
have done.
Very we'll.
In few days they started out in car
riage on their errand. Mrs, MAXWELL
gave the directions to the driver, and her
husband could not help expressing his
wonder at the increasing squalor of the
neighborhood through which they rode.
The carriage drew up at length before a
miserable looking tenement house and
stopped.
Where the deuce are you taking me?"
asked MAXWELL, looking sharply at his
wife.
" Come and see" was her reply, as she
proceeded to step from the carriage.
3" Here, wait" he exclaimed, after his
hesitancy; leo me get out first and help
you out. What does this mean ?"
" Follow me, was her reply.
She led him up stairs-up, up, through
throngs, and dirt, and smells, to the fourth
story. Here she opened door without
knocking, and the two entered. The wo-
man was dressed neatly, and so were the
children, but they were all dressed very
poorly, in keeping with the place. The
man was clad more carelessly, and even
more poorly. On his head he kept his
hat, which certainly was full half dozen
years old.
"My husband, Mr., MAXWELL my father
and mother, brothers aud sisters" said
Mrs. MAXWELL; introducing all parties.
MIR. MAXWELL stood and stared without
speaking.
:" Ask their pardon, George" said Mrs.
MAXWELL, " for running away with me-"
Who are they?"
=" Have | not told you; didn't | intro
duce you?"
Who were they l saw at the watering
place ?"
" Some wealthy people who had seen
me at the milliner's where | sewed for a
liyelihood-served at my trade, George
and who fancied my appearance, dressed
me up and took me with them y
" You jest with me-" he said, with a
ghastly smile.
:" Do L? do |, indeed? These people
seem to recognize me a daughter and
sister. Jest, indeed You will find that
out"
"You are too cultured, too tasteful, too
fine featured r
" All this milliner may be, or a sewing
girl Look for yourself among the class
Is il not true? All that we girls need is
Dress MAXWELL lifted his fist and dashed
it through the air, He ground his teeth
and turning away left the room, slamming
the door violently behind him.
His wife took her hat and cloak and
flung herself down at the table and buried
her face in her handkerchief.
The door opened again and MAXWELL
put in his head.
" You have deceived me" he said, ''but
come-you are my wife-I will try and
bear il"
She sprang to her feet and confronted
him.
8 Your wife, am II" she exclaimed.
"Your wife, and doomed to live with one
who does not love her but was in love with
her circumstances. No, Sir you may 10.
/ will not live wife unloved for myselj-
you must take me thus or will stay.
Still | can work"
He closed the door and retired down the
stairs TO the street, clenching his hands and
ground his teeth us he went.
"The horrible disgrace, of It, he NUT
tered. The derision that will be my lot.
And then to marry such a girl 1"
But at the street door he tarried. He
had struggle with himself there all alone,
Suddenly he turned and dashed impetuous-
ly upstairs, flung open the door of the
room, seized his wife in his arms, and
clasped her to his heart.
"My wife," he whispered in her ear,
"Such you are and ever shall be before God
and the world"
"Now / begin to think that yon do love
me" she said, smiling in his face. "You
do love mef You really think you do
George?"
He clasped her more tightly TO him.
"Come them she said, though of such
parents as these, poor as they are, should
not feel ashamed--yet they arc not my
parents, but have only played a part in
which | have instructed them. Shake
hands with them, George, they arc worthy
people
Aud he did shake hands with them, and
what is more, he helped them
a merry party was gathered that eve