Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-23

I u.
| Green street is n one of the prettiest unfaSh-
ionable quarters of Philadelphia and her
house was the most attractive in IL. There
were trees and fountain in front, and a wis
terra trailing its purple blossoms up over the
white marble and brick; and through the
open windows you caught a glimpse OF lace
curtains. pictures, and flowers. And there's
not better kept house in the city" she
thought, with sigh, as she neared the gate.
IL was always in neat, delicate order, and the
table was daintily set forth whenever John
chose TO bring friend home. Johns income
was large enough for them to live in easy
comfort, and il needed but three or four hours
OF work q day for him 10 earn il. His wife's
eyes grew still more troubled as she opclei
the gate ofthe front yard. He ought to be
satisfied, she said TO herself. az Jenny came
tOddllng down the path 10 meet her, all white
embroidery and blue ribbo -. Her mother
held ler tightly by the hand, gave her a spas
modtC kiss, ran up to her own room. and
walked straight to the glass, looking 1T the
n, at lartridge-like figure and good tempered.
sensible face.
There is no reason why he should not be
satisfied" she said taTtly, holding 10 herself
in the glass. The tears stood in her eyes but
she took oil her bonnet and gloves, folded
them MP carefully, and began To dress for
dinner. The neat black silk showed every
curve of her pretty figure. The lace rufIleS
at her wrists and throat were yellow with
age and quality (Mrs. WuifrcI was cor
nols eur in lace. Her shining hair lay in
Satiny folds She had been down tO see that
the soup, the roast fowl, the pudding, eacn
was perfect in its way. In the library she
turned the gas down. and cut and folded the
evening paper in an ObiOug shape. ready for
Mr.. WEIGH beside his easy chair The whole
world, she thought. did not hold a more COM
plete home To welcome any man. ami John
knew tie love waiting for him there II he
chose In be di>cOntcHted with either love or
nome, 1t was sheer rebellion against PToVi-
dcnCc.
She sat down TO wait; got up, took out a
feather buster, hidden for her own use in a
,-'Hset, whiSked at the bronze candelabra. put
il away, md seated herself again.
There was Mr. "Slch ; step in the veSti-
bule, his latch-key turnin. III the lock, She
waited inside the library door, .'eI CileekS
red, painting a little. 1t was so man eve
ningS since he had come home i'm time for
dinner sometimes had not come at all.
Could it be that the happy old times were
coming back? But she did not run ont To-
meet him; she always waited for him just Il
foot or two inside the library door.
John Welch was coming home in time, with
something of the feeling of the prOtigal son.
He had stopped outside, strongly tempted To
go back TO his - TiOtOus living or swine" a.
his wife would have dubbed his temptation.
1t was sore tug of virtue that brought him
in; and now he wanted a little excitement
applause, stimulant of some sort-as a re-
ward. If Winny had even ScOlded viciOusly
or cried, ii would have given relish TO the
dinner. But she kissed him on either check,
with the same decOrOuS little peck which She
had given him since their wedding day.
You are quite chilly. dear" she said. Ill
really feels like frost. Any news to-day ,or
Your Biue whey
MI. WEIGH replied no. that there was no
news, and that ii did feel Ii .le frost very much
indeed. He was grave .oTtenns man mind
full of the feelings of others habifuoIlv. the
Nd8apOhu DIoOd within that drove him 10
Ilotous ilNlnS II swine" had needed strong
G 6SI1tPtnti"'i 40 bring il Quit ran through
uePth N.hfch Winfred had never sounded. He
top&A up the paper and began TO read She
DAD laid the paper there for him TO read; yet
her heart wTenched her with sharp pang as
he did 1t. He must know how bitter his ne
glect had been TO her. If he loved her, he
would have some word of apOlOgy-sOme lit
tie sign that he did know, and was sorry: but
she made no sign-tOOk out her tatting (She
always tatted in the parlOr; il was such a
nice feminine sort of work. and gave little
chipping answers to the bits of information
about the Ross case or church scandals which
he read aloud.
i am so thankful, - she said at last. that
my childhood was passed. i'm village where
those new fashiOned ideas OF 'affiniteS' and
divorce were never heard of. Almost every
woman in Springville was Il member of the
church. You remember, dea1@''
"Oh, yes, j remember them" drily. They
were insured to dwell IN decencies forever
undoubtedly"
Little Mrs WEIGHS heart was full. II was
in Springville that John had cDurted ami
married her. Had he tOrSOttenT
The way OF living there was so orderly
and pious,' she chartered Oh. when two
Young people were engaged they were iOOke
| upon as almost married. l never knew an
engagement broken in SpringViile; and "a
! for marriage. husbands and wives grew old
together without Earring word. The only
I
| drunken cObbleT, and his wife"
| "A Veritable Acadia said Mr.. Welch
| gravely. Come; dinner i served, my
| dear
| II had been his habit when they were first
| married to iOndly require an account from
1 her at night OF every minute OF the day. Til.
poor little woman, in heranxiety 10 entertain
| him, began TO give il now "a usual.
You don't ask what your little busy bee
| has done to-day 10 improve the shining
| hours deap!"
| Il shall be very glad TO hear But. Winl-
| fred, could you not IA yourself OF that ha bit
| OF making trite quotations? a quotation
! should have novelty and Wit 10 1--WE IL edge.
| and really YOU have worn Watts hymns
! threadbare'
There was sudden choking in his wif.'>
| throat. She hall rose to her feet: the fiOOd Oi
| passionate TepTDaCheS which had filled hei
| heart 50 long trembled ON her lips. If she
had uttered them. John WEIGH would AT least
have known the woman who was his wife
| and this history need never have been writ
ten. But Springyille discipline wa on heI
yet; her oil Sunda y-scIOOl rules OF behavior
rose Immediately to her mind. She sat down
again, and broke a BIZ OF bread with shaking
| fingers.
i shall remember" She said with a set
| smile Il was going. however. To tell yOu
| about the day. / went 20 market by dawn.
! wanted To be sure OF the butter. That is verN
good butter, think. After breS llt8st came.
a bu>hel OF peaches; at f. sat down Ia req
| GrOte'> History OF Greece i Stiil give al
| hour 10 this poor little mind OF mine. yO-
| S6eD Then >ewed until ;, aad went on
| shopping until -
/ You must he conscious OF an apnTOyin.
| conscience and a smiling heaven after sue
a record How do you propose 10 end Ia
| dsN."
| u thOUght-aS you are at home-f am =
| glad YOU came home, John. laying her h,tl,
| tmidly on his arm.
! Yes. YES. All right. What are VOu goln;
! 10 do with the evening"
| Now Mrs. Wnifred was dull and ne
nerves lay deep under The firm ,weH-Trgulstc
| flesh. But she began to feel, with Sudden
| weak sense OF insecurity in the world. an,
| even in God, that her hold on her husDdn,
I was gone that her efforts at entertainment
were tedious TO him. She must give him 81
| clety-snmething more stimulating than he
| home gossip.
90 Shall we 90 down 10 Mrs. JarkSOn'S?''S h.
yentured. The church Sewmg-sDciety meet
there, and several Of the gentlemen will dro
| in after tea"
Mr.. WEIGH did not reply for a minute O
| two. 'hen he said, kindly:
e l shall take You down 10 meet you
| friends. Winfield. and call for on when ii !
| time 10 come home"
- You will not come? You do not think TIN
| people there congenial?" with quickeuO,
/ lone.
| " did not say So calmly.
| " thought little gayety would round III,
| day. There il no reason WHY every da
should not be complete for us. There is III
reason Why our lives should not be cOmplet