Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-20
night, and he finally began to lookaround
for the last wonderful purchase as soon as

LOT the last WONDERFUL purchase as soon as
he got home. Every article in this room
has history more or less romantic"
"Kathie was very fortunate in her raid
upon the furniture dealers and carpet
stores" said John, with a look toward her,
half tender, half mischievous.
.A"She is a wise little housekeeper, and
knows how to husband her resources
kathie's cheek flushed, for Johns APP
proval was as dear to her now as when
they were first married. Something in
Marks face, though, made her think of
Claudia. and she turned the conversation
to other topics.
Mark found his wife at home when lie
returned that night. She had been absent
on visit, and they had not seen each
other for month. Aut her manner was
as Indifferent as usual, and instead of in
quiring after his welfare, or that of their
child, she began at once to talk of their
social triumphs.
There were several famous people at
Mrs. r IS, she said, "men and women
both; but held my own among them,
and was as much admired as any one. A
musician from Boston was enchanted with
that little song of mine. The Stricken
Heart and begged that would have it
published. Then we had private theatre
Gals one night, and wrote drama, and
acted the principal part myself, and ere
ated such sensation that all the other
women. were jealous. Mrs. r. declared
that we ought to live in the city, where my
talents would be appreciated, and that it
would be shame for me to bury myself
up in this country town.
"You are greatly to be commiserated,
said Mark, sarcastically; especially as
the town has only fifty thousand inhabi-
tants, and you seclude yourself SO closely
at home"
at is a trial to be cramped as am, 3" she
continued, without noticing his Interrupt
ton. land l wish you had little more
energy and ambition. There is no reason
why you should not make money as we'll
in wide sphere of action like New York
Then, as Mrs. X. says, one ought to think |
of the social advantages and opportunities |
for culture to be found there The fact |
is" and she looked at him critically, "we |
are both deterioating here, you even worse !
than l."
Mark had, indeed, grown somewhat
careless of his appearance, and was look
ing worn, and altogether presented quite
a contrast to the man she married. That
the change was her work she never sus-
pected, but ascribed it rather to his low
tastes and pursuits for it was herself and
not he, that she considered the victim of
their illassorted union.
"Claudia," said Mark, kindly, control
ling his indignation, 81 should like an
honest talk with you. No woman has a
right to ignore the claims of husband and
child, and give the best of herself to the
world. Yet this is what you do. Even
if, as you hint, have fallen below your
expectations, the bond that unites us,
ought to be respected. Believe me, these
dlssensions that embitter our lives are
worse than useless. Let us avoid them
for the future, and try to conform our
selves one to another, both for our sakes
and that of our child
"You are really eloquent said Claudia,
with sheer; "but for my part l hate
pretense, and why should we simulate an
attachment we don't feel? Our marriage
was mistake, for no two persons were
ever more uncongenial than you and :"
"Yet you thought different once, or at
least said SOL
II was deceived" she answered coldly.
You appeared to have intellectual aspira-
tons then, and a taste for music, and pic
lures, and society, and beautiful surround
mSs, anu WeIe as unlike as possible to
what you are now.n
mot so,'' he replied; II have not
changed in any respect; l enjoy books,
and pictures, and music, and entertaining
conversation, and beautiful surroundings,
as well as ever but do not think them the
only things worth living for, to which
every thing else ought to be sacrificed.
Claud yawned sleepily.
eve shall uavor Oraa - hn call sac
we talk all night. The best way is to in
terfere with each other as little as possible.
You ought not to complain, certainly. 1t
is the wife rather than the husband, that
suffers most from an unequal marriage"
Mark left the room in silence. He had
done what he could, but in vain +; his home
could never be more to him than it was
now
There was not even any capabilities in
Claudia for better things. She was utterly
false. and shallow, and selfish Yet. hay
ing chosen, he manfully resolved to make
the best Of it, and not shrink the respon.
sibilitv of his own act. He had been at.
tracted by shallow show rather than solid
worth-had cast aside gold for base imi-
tatlon. But the fault was his, and he
must pay the penalty. Now, when it was
too late, he had realized his mistake, and
remembering Kathie and all she was to
her husband, the word commonplace had
ior him thenceforward new, and sweet, |
ana tender Specification.