Middletown transcript., 1875-09-18

neatness in their wives as well as il
their sweethearts, l said.
The crimson mounted to her hair
At the same moment saw her glanc.
at looking glass that hung opposite
to her on the wall She sat very still
vet with startled look in her eyes,
until the flush faded and her face be.
came almost pale.
'Maggy, said l rising and drawing
my arm around her, come up stairs
have something very serious to say to
you
We walked from the little dining.
room and up to her room in silence. ]
then said: rMaggy. want to tell you
about dear friend Of mine who made
shipwrsck Of happiness anddife. 1t is
a sad story; but | an sure it will in
terest you deeply. She was my cousin;
and her name was
Maggy bent forward. listening atteu-
lively. What 2 she asked, as I hesi-
tated on the name. 49, ~ = W.
Helen A4I @'r&Ek.
Not Helen. White, who married
John Harding. and was afterward de-
serted by her husband 2 aaa
Yes; my poor. dear Cousin Helen
Il is Of her I am going to tell youl'
| 4 never knew Why her husband vent
Of as be did said MaggJ. Some said
be was to blame. and some put all the
fault 90 her. How was It ? .ia ga.
Both we're to blame !; but she most,
replied. John Harding was. like
your husband. one of the neatest and
most orderly Of men. Anything untidy,
in his home. or in the person Of his
wife, annoyed and often put him out Of
humor; but he did not, as !, be should
have done. speak plainly to his wife.
and let her see exactly how he felt. and
in what he would like a change. If
he had done SO, Helen would have
tried-as every good wife should-to
conform herself more to his tastes and
wishes But, he was a silent, moody
sort Of man when things did not 60
just to suit him and instead Of speak
ine out plainly, brooded over Helene
faults. and worried himself into fits Of
i'll humor. And what was worse than
all, grew d length indifferent ITO his
home and wife, and sought pleasanter
surroundings and more attractive COM
pany abroad.
Every man thus estranged from his
home is in danger, and Harding was no
exception to the rule. Temptation lay
about bis feet--and that commonest
temptation of all, the elegantly fitted
up billiard and drinking saloon
They had been married just about as
long as you and John have been, when
the sad catastrophe of their lives took
place. I had called to spend the day
with Helen, and found her in her usual
condition Of personal untidiness and
disorder. When her husband came
home at dinner time, I 1oticed with
painful concern TINT be had been drink
ing-not very freely. but just enough
to show itself in csptious i'll humor.
Helen had not dressed for dinner, but |
presented herself At the table without
even . clean collar, and with an old 1
faded shawl drawn about her shoulders.
She looked anything but attractive.
i saw her husbands eyes glance to-
ward her across the table with an ex-
preston that chilled me. It was . |
hard. angry determined expression He
was scarcely civil to me. and snapped
his wife sharply two Or three times
during the meal. At its close, be left |
the table without word, and went up
stairs.
What's the matter with John RI
asked. -
Dear above knowsp replied Helen.
Hes been acting queer for q good
while; I can't imagine what's come
over him. a ts+.
Does he come home IN this way
often !? asked.
Yes, he's moody and disagreeable as
be can be most Of the time. I'm dread
fully worried about it,
As we talked we heard John NOV
ing about with heavy footballs in the
rooms above. Presently he came down
and stood for little while in the hall
At the foot of the stairs. as if in hesita-
lion. Then be went to the street door,
passed out and shut it hard after him.
Helen caught her breath with q
start, and turned little pale.
What's the matter 2 asked. seeing
Ehs strangeness Of her look.
4 don't know, she replied IN chok-
Ing voice. laying her hand at the same
lime on her breast, but I feel as If
'omething dreadful was going to hap
psn.'
She got up from the table and I
lrew my arm around her. too felt
sudden depression Of spirits. We went
'lowly up to her chamber, where we
'pent the afternoon; and l then took