Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-07-15


absent four years. Must go around
and see him. I congratulate you,
sir, he continued, turning to Philip.
Congratulate me for what ? NUT
tered Pl'lip, in surprise; q dim idea
entering his brain that Helen was
right in her conjecture, and that Mr..
Golding meant to insult him.
The opera was over at last, and
resisting, for the first time, Helen's
g!ances, and Mrs Mortimer's earnest
invitation to come in and spend
an hour at cards, Philip hasten
ed homeward in timo to see car.
riage drive rapidly away from the
door. Bertha was already unbinding
her luxuriant tresses preparatory to
repose, when he entered her chamber;
and in answer to his questions, she
only answered carelessly:
Yes, had an opportunity, and |
thought l would improve it. You
know it looks so stupid for married
people always to be together in pub
lie. Leonard is an old friend of mine,
and [ am glad he has returned ; |
shall enjoy his company so much
She was only repeating the words
which Philip had used many time
when prasing the beauty and grace
of some new acquaintance but they
did not seem very satisfactory now,
for he only muttered, 'numph 7 in a
scontented way, and was silent.
Bertha saw the success of her
scheme, and she laughed mischievous-
ly as she lay down to slumber, and
dream, perchance, of the sleigh ride
she was to enjoy with her friend on
the morrow. Philip had engaged to
ride too wish Mrs. and Miss Morti
mer and so it CHANGED the two par
ties met on the crow ded thorough
fare, and he had just time to catch a
laughing glance and the wave of a
gloved hand of his wife as the sleighs
dashed past each other. He spent
that evening at home, but not alone
with his wife Percy was there, and
Bertha chatted with him and played
for him, and they sang together
songs replete with love and senti-
ment; songs which he reminded her
they had sung often together in oil
en- times At last, angry with him
self, his wife, and her guest, Philip
left, excusing himself on the plea of
business, but adding, that two such
old friends must have so much to say
to each other, that third person
would almost be an intro der Mr..
Percy looked surprised, but Bertha
answered smilingly
oh, yes, Leonard and have plen-
ty of subjec for conversation
Leonard, indeed 7 growled Pnihp,
on his way to the library. Con
found the fellow-what does he mean
with his old songs p
He remained alone until the visitor
departed, and could hardly believe
his eyes when he saw, through the
half opcn door, Percy imprint kiss
on the fair forehead OF his wife
which she received quite as a matter
of course.
pray, do all your friends take their
dep. rture in that loving manner z
he asked, as she entered the library.
oh, mol but Leonard is a privileg-
ed character, and besides, | am en-
deavoring to bring my old-fashioned
notions of propriety to moro
modern standard hope TO become
accustomed to these improvements
in time, and take them as easily and
gracefully as some of your favorite
ladies do-Miss Mortimer, for in
stance. | have noticed that you rare
ly meet or part with her without
some such harmless liberties
It is true, that in the first days of
his fascination for tho bold beauty,
he had often praised her gay man
ners to his wife, but 1T was strange
how differnt these things looked from
different point of view.
But Miss Mortimer is unmarried,
and besides, it was all joke, our
meeting and parting in that way
he added.
Very well, Percy is unmarried,
and we will call our parting q joke,
if you please was the reply.
'As you will !; but don't admire
such Jokes, | assure you
What! jealous, Philip? and have
been in Percy's company only three
times. Let's see-once at the opera
once sleigh, riding and this evening.
NO, | am not Jealous, but | don't
see what has come over you. Done
you know you will ruin your reputa
ton if you go on in this way? With
men it is different they are not ex
pected to be so exclusive in their a.
tachments. Society has claims upor
gentlemen which they must fulfil
True, doubtless, and these same
claims upon society extend to tn
ladies, suppose, and we ought, o
course, to emulate the generous
self-sacrifcing examples of the stern
err sex
Philip could only think, hat how
ever willing he might be to sacrifice
himself upon the alter of society, h
did not wish his wife to devote her
self to its claims but he could no
say so, with those mirthful eye
watching him so closely, and there
fore he remained silent
, When be returned to dinner th
J next day, he found his wife absent
, and note informed him that sh
had gone with Percy to spend th
: day at her fathers country seat, arr
t also that 'if he pleased he nigh
! take the evening cars, spend few
! hours at The Homestead and retur
3 with them.
If please Well, | don't pleas
, to do any such thing. How change
: she is since Percy's coming, and t
] leave me so, when she has never VII
tied her old home al)ne before, dul
o ing our two years Of married life
Q But the quiet hour alone in the din
e IL