The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-07

| ""~'u "VS"PJ VhlJ u part OF your time,
and when you were at liberty we could 20
out and enjoy ourselves and sec something
of the world, instead Of being cooped up
in this lonesome place"
"Oh, Alice, | am so sorry to hear you
talk in this way. | thought you were
contented and happy here" He was sur
prised and deeply grieved, and Alice knew
it; but she had pondered this matter too
long to give it up easily now, and she
brought forward every argument that she
could devise to convince him that she was
right, and Gilbert Drew went back to the
field that morning with sadder heart than
he had carried for many day.
After that Alice gave him no peace.
She had set her heart on leaving the farm,
and she was constantly picturing to him
the easy, carc-free life she imagined they
might live in the city. Gilber. was far
from sharing her views of the subject but
he loved her too well to be unmindful of
her pleasure, and finding that she would
be satisfied with nothing less, he finally
yielded to her wishes. Having an oppor-
tunity to dispose of his farm and stock for
a good price, he did so, and another spring
time found our country friends safely set
tied in city quarters. They purchased a
he ndsome house in fashionable locality,
and Gilbert obtained the position of clerk
in dry goods establishment Through
friendly influence they gained admittancc
to an aristocratic circle, composed mostly
Of people with wealth and leisure at their
disposal. Alice, with her lovely face and
easy, graceful manners, became quite a
belle, and her time was completely occu-
pied in shopping, returning the calls of
her fashionable friends and visiting places
of amusement. Gilbert grew used to find
ing the house closed and still, and hearing
the servant girl say that her mistress had
gone out. He was naturally social, and
was always glad to have few friends in
Of an evening and cosy little supper
but he took no interest in the gay society
in which Alice delighted, and large par
ties and midnight rcvelries were utterly
distasteful to him. He was occupied at
the store only during the day, and evening
after evening he sat alone, while his wife
passed away the hours at some brilliant
gathering, listening to words of fattery,
and forgetting her womanhood and her
truth, inasmuch as she forgot TO care for
the interests Of her home and the happi.
ness Of the man she had promised to love
and honor She had natural fondness
for dress but in her country home, asso.
ciating with people whose means were sim.
liar to her own, she had never INDUCED in
any unwaranted extravaganza, and had
considered herself well dressed in an al
paca or fresh muslin. But now she had
everything about her to stimulate and
arouse the desire for 6nery, and as the
ladies with whom she associated wore Jew
els and fine laces, she naturally coveted
the same, and was fretful and unhappy i
denied them. Gilbert INDUCED her il
everything that he could possibly afford
but his salary was not large, and sadly he
realized that instead of gaining in proper
ty, as he had hoped to do, he was falling
behind at fearful rate. He grew morbid
and unhappy, and the homo that haG
blossomed with the flowers of love aut
peace lost its charm for botlfof them.
Coming home one night about a veal
after their removal to the city, Gilber
went up to his wife's room and found hel
before the mirror, giving the finishing
touches to an elegant toilet. She looked
very lovely standing there in her robe o
azure silk, with its ovcrdress of misty lac,
caught up here and there with silver grasses
But the sight of her beauty excited nj
pride in her husbands heart, and with ;
keen pang he thought how once the sount
Of his footstep had brought her to NEE
him with welcoming kisses and fond words
"Arc you going out again tonight, Al
ice ?" he asked, sadly.
Yes; this is the evening of Mrs. Hill
dreth's reception, and | could not think o
staying away. See, isn't my new dres
becoming2" she asked turning to him will
an animated face.
"Yes, Alice, you look very lovely, bu
you used to look better to me in shilling
calico than you do tonight in all you
inery. Oh, how happy We were in GU
old home. 1t seems to me that il we wer
back there now, just as we used to be,
should be the happiest man alive"
"How can you be 50 absurd ?" said AL
ice, almost in anger. II thought you wer,
getting over those foolish notions. Yo,
have been out lately more than usual, an,
l did hope you had given up moping an,
would try and enjoy yourself"
al have noe been out expecting to fin,
enjoyment. | only go out because it is $
silent and lonesome here. | wish 20,
would stay at home sometimes, Alice,
he went on, pleadingly; II want your com
pany SO much"
IL am not going to be forever tied u
at home, for anybody" she retorted, "an
il you are lonesome there is nothing t
hinder you from going out and enjoyin
yourself, If you only would Good night
! Mrs. Clinton's carriage is waiting for m
at the door" and gathering up her sike
! skirts she ran lightly down the stairs, len,