Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-10-22
selfrteh stnru.
KATE'S FIRST TWO YEARS OF
MARRIAGE.
BY AUNT MARY.

BY AUNT MARY.
Kate Vernon had been scarcely two
years welded, when her aunt, with
whom she had formerly lived, and
from whose house she had married,
came to spend the winter with her.
Mrs. Beverly had not been long with
her niece before she saw, or thought
she saw. that things were not going
right with the young couple. Kate
often looked as if she had been crying.
Her happy expression and fresh color
had disappeared. On his part, Mr..
Vernon was strangely silent and moo
dy. After the first few evenings, too,
he began to absent himself.
1t was on one of these occasions that
the wife broached the subject that had
often been on her lips since her aunt's
arrival.
" suppose | ought to apologize,
aunty," she began, with some confu-
sion.
"Apologize, my child. What for?"
For Edwards going out and leav-
ing us alone so much. | know you
think it strange. 1t isn't bit like
what he used to be-
perhaps he has business which
calls him from his home oftener than
usual" returned her aunt. not wish
ing To acknowledge that she certainly
saw that Hates husband was not so at
tentive to his wife as she conld wish.
Il think not. aunt. | know of no
business that should make him absent
himself from home so much as he has
done Of late; besides, he is not so low
ing and kindly now"
NV dear" said Mrs. Beverly. sooth-
ingly." Il have ALWAYS been in the place
of mother to you. took YOU from
her arms when she was dying, and did
the best | could for YOU till you left
nv house a happy bride
.Ycs. | was happy them was hap
pv them" cried Kate. but now no
one cares for me but baby"
1t was a relief to her to have made
her confession. She had been misera-
bly, unhappy for long while; and
now she flung herself on her aunt's
bosom. and wept as ifher heart would
break.
Mrs. Bcyercrly drew the poor child
to her heart. and kissed her again and
again.
Il have seen you have been unhap-
py ever since | came here she said,
after p pause. bat | have seen. also,
tha. the cause Is one easily corrected
"Oh. no. no." interrupted the young
wife. Edward doesn't care for me
any more. He goes out almost every
evening, As he has done to-night-he
who never could stay one evening
away before we were married"
"kate. my child" said her aunt, Sc
riousiy, Il want Won To- listen to me-
Don't be angry if say things You dis
like: but reflect on them, and in a day
or two give mc an answer. Your case
is not an exceptional one. Many young
married people make the mistake that
both YOU and Edward have made, for
| believe YOU and Your husband to be
equally to blame; but it is a mistake
that generally, their own good sense
corrects. though not till they have
suffered much. Now, | wish, as your
mother, if she had lived, would have
wished, 10 save Won some part of this
suffering. MAY | go on -
Kate did not reply. Her face was
buried in her aunt's lap, and she was
sobbing hopelessly-sobbing like a
child. Mrs. Beverly took the silence
for consent.
You say your husband does not
love you," she continued. ''Iou quote
his going ont of evenings as proof of
it. admit the neglect" Kate WINGED.
"But is there no cause for it? You
used to be, my dear, scrupulously neat
in your attire. do not say you are
now untidy. But there is very great
difference, as | plainly see, between
the way in which You come down to
breakfast now, and that in which you
used to at my house. There, your
face was always fresh. your hair nice
ly arranged, your collar unwrinkled,
your gown spotless. Now, grieve to
say, my darling, things are very differ
ent; and what is worse than careless
ness in dress even, your countenance
is, sometimes, the least bit sour"
Kate. during this plain speech, had
gradually ceased sobbing; and now,
with her hands holding back her hair,
was staring up into her excellent
aunt's face, half in anger, half in as
toniShment and dismay.
'Sour. | didn't know it," she ex-
claimed. care you sure? Oh! it's
when Edward has been scolding me"
"Scolding you, my dear? Edward
don't look like a man who would
scold."
"Well. he's jealous of baby; he looks
at it often; and he as good as says it
sometimes. He has even limited, once
or twice, that, since baby was born, |
don't care as much about my-my
good looks-as | used to do. That's
the way of them all, suppose-they
marry us for our beauty, and when
our health fails, then they blame
blame us for it.
"My child" answered Mrs. Beverly,
kindly, too much in earnest to smile,
as she would have done if it had been
anybody else, 81 think you are unfair
to Edward. Certainly there is moth
ing in your state Of health to spoil
your looks. You are, or might be, far
prettier than when you married. A
very little more attention your dress
would render you more attractive than
ever"
Kate was blushing crimson, in Sc
cret pleasure at this f1attering speech.
She hid her face again in Mrs. Bever-
| ly's lap. At last, as her aunt appeared
to be waiting for some reply, she stam-
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