Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1873-05-07
THE HOUSEHOLD.
THROUGH SHADOWS TO SUNSHINE.


picnics and sailing parties, where he acted as her
devoted cavalier, and in four weeks they were
engaged t5s
Ethel was quite young an very attractive.
She was an orphan and poor. Her aunt sent her
to boarding school after her parents died gave
her one winsumin society, and took her to New
port In the summer She meant to do her duty
by her, but after all, was anxious TO have her
settled in life and of her hands. She saw that
Walter Carlton seemed attracted toward her nece
and she took care that no obstacle should be
When Ethel blushingly ted her that he had
made her formal offer Of his hand, she con-
graduated her warmly, and scarcely listened to
her family offered objections.
"0f course you will accept him nv dear
said she. "You did perfectly right In asking
for little time to consider his proposal Ii
would not look well to appear too anxious TO fall
into his arms. But of course, you will accept
him. He ID comparatively rich and rapidly ris-
ing in his profession. You would be very fool
sh to lot this chance slip byiand really my dear,
il would be a relief to me TO feel that you are
comfortably settled in life. You have no fortune
but your face, and will probably never receive
such an offer again."
Ethel was very young. as I have said and her
dependent position was rather CALLING to her
pride. 30 she accepted Walter Carlton, and in
afew weeks they were married, knowing as little
OF each others inner lives and aspirations en-
tire strangers.
During their very short courtship, each had
only seen the best side of the other. Their
faults had been carefully hidden from sight.
Walter had never seen Ethel cry and pout be-
cause she could not go to this or that party or
because she could not have the new sik dress
she coveted and Ethel had never heard Water
grrlmble at his valet or abuse his office boy.
After marriage, the veil was then torn aside /
The faults which were eedulouely kept out of /
sight before marriage, were painfully apparent |
after. Walter found Ethel far from being the /
angel he had imagined, and she found her hus-
band very unlike her lover. They were neither Il
them better mai nrif
people, but their tastes did not assimilate. That
was all. Ethel was fond of society and took
childish delight in receptions, balls and parties
Her husband considered these things childish
and frivolous. His days were spent in his Office |
and his business gave him little time for FASH
onable dissipation.
Ethel's nature required much loving and pet-
ting She tried to love her husband, but she
did not understand him. II she spent all even
ing alone with her husband, she wanted him TO
notice her, and interest himself in what inter-
ested her.
Walter felt no such craving for sympathy. He
wanted his dressing-gown and slippers, his law
books or newspapers, and they satisfied him
He loved his wife, of course II he had not, he
never would have married her. Then WHY |
should he repeat it to her every day2 1t might
do for the spoony days of courtship, but they
were married now, and what was the use Of
being soft and sentimental any longer;
One evening Ethel was unusually elated. She |
had been shopping witha friend, and had re-
ceived an invitation to grand party that fol-
lowing week. She sat down ON low stool by
lher husbands side and commenced to prattle
about the gossip of the day, and the splendid
party at Mrs. Denver's, like the winsome, sweet.
but thoughtless, Guild she was.
He was thinking of perpexing lawsuit and q
her small talk bored him. He spoke impatien-
tly /:
II have more important business than attend i.
ing parties, and you should have. Ethel You 4
are 30 childish, dear. Married women ought to e
think OF other things than parties, dress, and c
scandal" 7
He meant to speak playfully, but he really
spoke harshly. The tears started to EtheIs
eyes.
. do think of other things" said she. II :
think OF you but you do not think of me- nor of Z
any thing but those tedious lawsuits"
" Yes you think Of me in one way L suppose"
SAID he. You want some one to listen to your .
nonsense talk nosense ia return, and pay for the
silks and laces you wear. cannot talk sentiment
during the few hours that have at home. You
have many leisure hours every day, which might
be improved. You might read instructive books. HI
Tor one thing that would be better than idling
away your time, or going down town with Mrs =
Enderby. In that way you could fit yourself to 4
be an entertaining companion for q thoughtful =
man."
"Aslmuch as to say am not entertaining
now, exclaimed Ethel, her quick temper reused
by his words. IF you wanted to talk theology
or law all your life, you should have married. a
female minister or lawyer. You did not scold me
ioIabelng childish before we were married and,
y to PARTIES Mr.. Carlton, il l remembe ,htly, n
Is jewel which you do not seem to possess
Walters face Redeemed. mo wonder am Ri
preJudiced against PARTIES them said he half In III
Jest, ana haif IN earnest but let us drop this y
angry talk. Let me tell you, Ethel that if YOU u
wish Ter any comfort or luxury, or for money
wherewith to procure any, you have but to ask
me Tor It and receive it. But il you wish for pet CT
ing, and sympathy in every little affair that in II
ter .sts you, cannot give it, Go to all the par -
lies YOU choose provided you go with suitable 4
company, and l shall not object. Only don't Z
come to me to talk over the details"
Very we'll" answered Ethel, proudly, ~
viii not trouble you with my nonsense or my
oYe' You may go in your path and will go
n mine" And she walked proudly from the
Walter Carlton smiled superciliously
she is angry now. Tomorrow she will be
entirely over it, and will come to me the same
~ ever, said he.
But he was mistaken Under her tIouobtloasI
'mld-hke manner was concealed pride az strong to
y MIS- de had spoken his mind, as she believed
,nee Tor ALI and she accepted the situation.
nlose women would have cried for an hour, then
orgotten 1t, and gone to him for love and sym
'nt material.
, They had no more little outbreaks of temper =
Ethel consulted her husbands comfort and
taste in all home matters. She never went for -
IN evening without mentioning her escort, and
asking his permission. He no
ohger complained that he was interrupted in
lls evening studies or reading But he missed
something out of his life. Often his eyes would
Wander from his book or paper to the little fig
IRE sewing 30 industriously in the corner. d
sometimes when she had been to some en-
ertalnment with friends, while he had been
ABSENT, he would wonder who was there and
ong to hear all the little details she would once
nave delighted to tell him. But no nonsense
vas Vouchsafed, and he to proud to ask He
lever talked to her of his business, and they
irltted further and further apart as the weeks
1assed on. Both were to blame for the es-
Iangement. They both realized it in a meas
ne but each was too proud to make over +,
lures to the other j
After time, God gave them child, and, for =
long hme they seemed nearer an understand
ng than they had been for months. But the
'olden hours passed and the hearts of which =,
seemed drawing nearer each other, were 4
srther apart than ever. Their mutual love for -
heir child was the tie that kept them in nomi-
iai wedlock. Neither could endure separation. H
50 the time passed on until their boy was two
ears old. 10 the eyes Of the world they were
happy, united family; but at heart the hus- On
'and and wife were AZ far apart as strangers
:, One day their bright, noble boy was stricken n
WIN FEVER. Together they watched over their =
uuueTlng child. Walter Carlton forsook his ~
hents and his law books TO watch by the bed Il
NE Y, OF his sick and dying boy and Ethelforgot
III the claims of society in her absorbing ankle