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

nature, and given her a deeper insigh
into the world of thought and feeling -
Mark remembered that he had once called
her commonplace and somehow the worC
began to have new meaning for him
thenceiorward.
"lIow happy you two are :" he said tc
John one night with u sigh. kathio had
gone up stairs to put her little one TO bed,
y task seldom iulrusted to the nurse.
such harmony is rarely seen"
at is all kathie's doin.s," answered
John, "(or she knows just when and
where to oil the domestic wheels, SO tina
they never JAZZ or cresk. \ woman's tact
is something wonderful"
Then you never disagroe-nevcr have
so much as the ghost of quarrel" and
Mark looked at his friend curiously. His
tone was Il jestiug one. but not 80 the
feeling that prompted the inquiry
I'VE are no more than hu man." John
answered, smiling, "and OF course 10 not
think exactly alike on every point.
respect kathie the more that she has n
certain individuality Of her own, and
does not reflect all my likes and disikes
my preferences and prejudices. But her
opinion is often corrective Of mine"
but il her views OF life were shallow
and beartleSs, and she persisted in follow
ing a course you disapproved, what
would you DO then p
John hcsitated before replying. lie
more than half suspected that Marx re-
lerIed TO Claudia, and had dislike oil
that seemed like interference
between man and wio.
Il should reason With her. he said
finally, "iry to make her understand the
wrong she was doing both. II that fail.
ed, if nothing said affected her, could
only make the best out OF what happiness
was lett to me. remembering that | had
chosen with my eyes wide open, and that
It was my own fault if had mistaken
her character
Mark WINGED Il little at this plain speak.
ing, and instead OF pressing the topic,
said abruptly
There is one question | would like to
ash you. and hope YOU won't think it
How is 1t that ysu live 50
ON your small salary ?"
John opened his eyes very wide, and
50 did Kalhie, who just then entered the
room.
Small" echoed she in amazement; +;
why. II is thee thousand dollars a year,
and We nsed to lay aside one.thiid of it
before baby came"
Yet there are those who think five
thousand little better than beggarly." D."
said Marx Pray let me into the secret
OF your management, Mrs Hilton. see
no evidence OF poverty here" and he
glanced around the little sitting room,
with its tasteful furni,Ein. aud coy air
oi comfort, admminsly. Cheap aud
lawdry," were the terms that Claudia
would have applied to it, contrasting it
with the artistic elegance OF her own
rooms; but Mark remembered their desc.
lation. and the dust that lay thick in cor
ners, and thought this was Tar more cle.
CANT and pleasant,
Kathie laughed gleeiulIy.
"li You only knew what time had
hunting for bargains when we started
housekeeping she said. land in what 4
constant state of surprise / kept John.
There was sure to be something new
every night, and he finally began to look
around for the last wonderful purchase as
soon as he got home. Every article in
this room has a history more or less rO.
" 40 'SA iOAbhAhNO 'h AieA A"''
upon the furniture dealers and carpet
stores" said John, with look toward
her, half tender, half mischievous.
"She is wise little housekeeper. and
knows how to husband her resources"
Kathie's cheek flushed. for Johns mp.
proval WAS AS dear to her now rs when
they were first married. Something in
Marks face, though. made her think OF
Claudia, and she turned the conversation
10 other topics.
Mark found his wife at home when he
returned that night. She had been ab'
sent on u visit, and they had not seen
each other for month But her manner
was rs Indifferent rs usual. and instead
Of inquiring after his welfare, or that OF
their child, she began at once to IAlk of
their social triumphs.
"Thele were several famous people ut
Mrs. RS" 4he said, "men and women,
both; but held my own among them,
md was as much admired rs any one. A
musician from Boston was enchanted
with that little song of mine, The
Heart" and begged that | would
have it Published. Then we had private
.heatrieals one night, and L wroLe a
drama, and acted the principal part my.
sell, and created such sensation that all
The other women were jealous. Mrs. r.
declared thai 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 country town"
You are greatly to be commlserated. y
said Mark, sarcastically; especially AS
he town has only fifty thousand inhabit-