Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-09-04
.IOHN,s WIFE.

nied II, Miss Barbara Snyd was asieep. Her
maid hard featured, middle-ayed woman,
who was moving about the room putting 1t In
order, as she did fifty times day, at her mis-
treas's command, watched her furtiyely 10 see
that she did not fall into the tire.
1Jane," said Miss Barbara, suddenly waking |
and sitting bolt upright with unblinking eyes,
"ifhe comes-and am sure he will--don't let
him in"
"No, ma'am answered Jane, mewhat sub
mfssiyey.
Tell him he has seen me for the last time,
the hypocrtel 10 pretend always 10 he so fond Of
me- and then 20 and marry ali empty-headed |
doli-baby! Be sure and send him away SAID the
lady.
ayes, ma'am."
A sudden cominotion in the lower hall inter |
rupted them; few bars of poplar ballad, |
whisiled In mastery manner, rapid elltler
VI boot heels on the stairs, and then young |
gentleman, who might have sat as model of
modern Hercules, rushed IN and falling over |
an ottoman, upsetting clair, and making |
Confusion worse ccntounded i'll the quiet room, |
dashed at Miss Barbara and took he. by
s.orp.
"Congratulate me-" he cried, after imprinting
= half dozen kisses OH her withered cheek
Aunt Barbara she is the dearest"
"You may CO. Jane" Miss Barbara had re-
covered from the shock little, and as Jane had
retired, she folded her hands together, and
turned upon him.
"Nephew!"
There was a comical expression Of despair
on the young fellows face at this unpropitious
beginning.
Nephew, I'm disappointed in you! am not
angry, but deeply grieved--'
"Why, Aunt Barby.' The blue eyes of her
listener opened wide, but she slenced him
with stately gesture.
Please be quet-l wish to speak. | have
done my duty to you. john (there was trem-
bic in her voice as she said this, but she went
on gtimly), and now you arc just coming 10
manhood (,Iohn was tWenty.six), and | have
just begun 10 trust IN you little, and now you
desert me for doll-baby."
"She is not doll baby" said tie young hus-
band Indignantly. "lf you only knew her you
would love her dearly"
"Nonsense the black eyes snapped decidedly.
"All girls are fools nova days; but no matter
YOU have chosen between lis. My will is made,
ana will not change it. but you never will be
TO me what you were before"
There was real distress iii John Bartun's heart
as lie rose and stood before her.
"lfyou would only let me bring her here to
YOU" he pleaded; ~ am indeed sorry YOU are
so displeased. Aunt Barby, don't let this part
Ns."
"You have chosen The Sphynx could not
kok more unmoNed.
| ordered lem moi I" adm II N,li-Nuu Iced
not come again"
"lf you would only hear me"
"Dut | won't good afternoon" And >,
John Barton left her, with her face turnc.
away from lin and her hands still ciasped b..
fore her.
Miss Barbara Snyder was proud Miss Bar
bara Snyder was wealthy. Miss Bll bara Sny-
der was fond Of her own way, But she was still
awoman and in Ler heart OF hearts she loyet
John Barton, her handsome nephew, dearly. =
His mother, her only sister, lad died when Il,
was "A child and his faith diving soon after
Miss Rarbra had in "A flSll m EIn in,
She inGuleed him for the first day of his ell
trance into Ter house; she had watched owe
him and made linn her one object in life. ii
had been the CLEAN Of sunshine ia her life an,
10 his honor he it said, lie had never lern GI
worthy Of the 1--we and confidence which sh
gave him.
"Aunt Barbara" was to him the only pcrsol
In the void, and although teoplc marveled u
the affection OF the brieLt-iaced young man fo
his grim old aunt, 1t was genuine and true II
had gone through college in thoroughly sat
factory manner, and afterwards had settled dow
into Us steady and Trustworthy young bus
ness man as there was in the city and for tire
years had behaved entirely according to Ii
aunt's wish in every respect.
One day, however, the PEI &c and tranquilii
OF Miss Barbara household We're broken by
rmor which came 10 her ears, john, her job
was paying attention TO someb udy She was
hrst incredulous, as the days wentb she Wi
forced TO believe it; fol one night John, sittli
at her feet his yellow tulured hair shining
the frulight, told her it'll much cuufllsic
and embarrassment, that 'he was going TO /
married.
Miss Barbara was q cd woman but Size \
very whimsical, ami little selfish, and abO,
all, very Jealous OF her own dignity, and Il
knowledge that John had asserted lis own il
dependence, and actually planned out his Il
tuIe without consult ug l,r beforehand was
hard thing for her To bear.
She was not patient nor forgivihg and the I
ult Of Johns confidence Was Il very unplrasa
scene. She who never had spoken harslly
him before, overwhelmed him with hard, Bit
words, and then when lie was zone went Ii,
self as.eep over his ingratitude, as she chose
call ii.
When at last he was really married. her arlg
knew no bounds, and his first visit after III
EVEN, ended as we have seen.
WThe days passed slowly after John, with Ii
bright face and ringing voice, was banisle
aud Miss Barbara, half regIettng her harshne.
Was often tempted to send fr him again; b
her obstnacy, or pride,a las She called t.preseIy,
her, and SO she tietted and worried, until Jil
was almost driven tc distraction by her irritabi
" and unreasonaleness. She was so cross,
hard to please, AID 50 wfully savage" As ,Jol
would have said, that Jane became at Ia
worn out, ard one day when her duties we
unusually hard, she surpris" her mistress
packing up her movable property AMI derar
ing from the house.
Then Miss barbara " AS wrrtChed. For thri
days she sal III solitary stale and then scndi,
for her lawyer, objected him 10 h>t'rt IN adv,
tisenent in the leading papers To Tie effect til
she wanted = neat, young and ladylika persl
for a Companion.
"No more young woman for me-" she sal
savagely, in response 10 her lawyers look
surprise, "after the behavior OF Jane, who HI
been with me for thirty nine years" and this
authorizing him to examine each applicant, 81
sent him away and waited.
Two days afterwards the lawyer returnC
accompanied by u tall slender young woman
who had come TO see il she Miss Darbar.
would engage her.
Miss Barbara's black eyes looked keenly ;
her for moment, and alter inquiring sharp
into her antecedents, references anu the liit
Miss Alice Worhington Las the lawyer calle
herl WAS duly inst allied in the office Of coinpal
ion, and most delightful companion she pro,
ed TO be.
Miss Barbara was at first disposed TO be b
critical and captious;but the Young girl was
anxious TO p'ease, so tempered and amiable,
quiet and self forgelfu that Miss Barbara
severity melted away by degrees and at last 81
began 10 love her attendant and to try in vario,
liile ways to m Ike ler cheerful and coutente
in her new home.
"Alice." said she nme day, as the young 81
sat opposite her bcfurc the fire, chow old al
vnnJp