The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-18

but Mrs. Slanhope's arguments and the
LieutenantB entreaties atlength scattered
my scruples, and l resolved to go. @
My early lile-my girlhood days-had
been passed in strict secluslon, and my
husbands quiet tastes had made my mar
ried life almost as solitary in regard tc
society. Isit so much of wonder then
that | was almost carried away by its
gay scenes a
The evening came, and in company
with DR.. Stanhope and wife and Lieut.
Morris went 10 the ball. The LIeuten'
ant was exceedingly attentive, and l re.
ceiVed many attentions from otherg; still
was i'll 1T ease. Several times l caught
myself wondering II people would think
me unmarried; or worse still, his wife; and
once or twice I lancied that the Lieuten.
ant half smothered the Mrs. when intro.
ducing me to his friends.
"Have you enjoyed the evening, Mrs.
81" he inquired as We walked home
wards
"Oh, very much " replied with much
fervor. -7s
%"I hope nothing will keep you away
from such gatherings in future"
"Thnt is more than I can promise my.
self. You know that Captain B. does not
enjoy balls" - rT -.
SBut it is unfair to keep you from them.
Perhaps in his young days he was more
favorable toward them"
perhaps So" l replied; "but is he an
old man YETI" I.a.
"That depends upon what comparisons
one might make" he replied.
l saw, or fancied / saw, in his remark
an allusion to the disparity in our ages;
but made no reply.
The next day brought my husband.
"Do you care that l went? ?" asked
after had told him how had employed
my time.
mot at all. tits very lonesome here
even when l am with you; it must DO in
tolerable when am gone. lam glad my
little girl enjoyed it."
There Is to be horseback party to.
morrow" nervously toying with the but
tons Of his coat.
SIs thereg Well"
"Shall we go| Iasked.
at I'Yould be hardly any pleasure fol
mo, as have bcen in the saddle for near
ly ten days"
Although said nothing, my face must
have expressed my disappointment, for he
very soon said:
"Do you wish to go, ClaraY"
"Very much" I..
"Would you be satisfied TO go without
meH"
"Hardly."
"Then suppose we stay at home. ]
should enjoy reading this volume with
you moro than riding out" and he tossed
. beautifully bound little volume into my
lap.
.Atsnother time should have screamed
with delight, Tor it was what had SO
much longed to Sea- copy OF "Enoch
Arden"
But now there came no response, no
word Of thanks from my lips. He seemed
disappointed, but said nothing as he went
out.
l was Just in mood to feel unkindly
toward every one, and most unkindly Of
all toward my noble husband. What
right had he TO make me conform 10 his
tastes. Then fell to thinking how cruel
1t was 10 bring me away from all my car
lier friends and bury me alive in that mis-
cradle, dull town. Surely all men were
not so reserved or so fogyish as he, and
wondered If should not have been more
satisfied with one nearer my own age
Then 1 found myself making COMPARE
sons, ever o dangerous train Of thought fol
a vito. Somehow, uppermost 10 my mind
during all this mental harranguo was
Lieutenant Morris, with his handsome
face and genial ways. blush now with
shame as / recall those thoughts, but
was angry and-disappointed then, and just
in a mood to think myself very much
abused.
must have behaved shameIully i'll that
day, for in the evening my husband came
up to where was sitting, and laying his
hand upon my shoulder said In a very
low calm voice: ~
"Clara, l would not willingly give you
pain or deny you one pleasure. cannot
attend you tomorrow, but II you wish
will provide you an escort"
"Oh, dow / exclaimed, 80 eagerly thai
tho calm look In his eyes grew painfully
penetrating as he fixed them sadly upon
my face.
I went with the party, nominally under
the escort Of Doctor 6tanhope and wife
but 1t was Lieutenant Morris who rode
by my eide, who praised my riding, my
figure and general appearance will
more warmth than pleased even my In
ssLiable vanity.
After that dav nv husband seemed
l. different. He was as kind TO me as ever
even indulging mo moreIthan formerly
but the old tenderness was gone. 1miss
cd the stolen Caress, the pet warmth--th(
thousand little tcndernesSeS that had be
fore made my lie so sweet,
Had any one given me q whispered
hint that my heart was growing diSloYa
|, to my husband, or that Lieutenant, Nor
| ris sought my society with pleasure,
should have repealed the accusation will
indignation. had no thought Of any
, thing wrong. But then why was l sc
pleased with his society," Why did
care so little whether 1t was he or my
0 husband whorode by my side; who walk
I cd with me, and seemed always ready Il
attend 10 me? It Was because l lOveC
: tlattery, and he filed my measure TO in
loxiCAtion.
= The sumner had ripeued into autumn
! and autumn was last merging into winter
=, still, contrary 10 all our expectations, WI
/ were yet detained at the station. Mrs
!. StanhOpe had set her active brain to Worl
= conjuring up festivities for the winter, anC