The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-03-11


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Philip WIS grave and PreoecuPisS dur.Eg
the whole time-not 50 preoeeulasa, how
ever. as not to see that. although Nellie was
eating, she was little disposed TO do.
As soon as they hal finished. he moved
from the table, and seated himself in an
easy-chair near the window.
Come here, Nellie" sAld he.
She came slowly. Il reilly was dreadful
to have to tell him that she had insalte1
his mother; but she must do it.
Philip. your mother sent word by nurse
that she was going to call on me to-day, and
1 went out ON purpose not to meet her"
: She sad il b~reathlessly, ami without stop
ping. as one who says a lesson wen conned.
Philips manner was cool and grave as he
replied:
Il know it. | was at home when my
mother came. Well"
"rhat is all and Nellie looked at her
husband tani lily, beg inning to hope that he
was not 50 very 4 spleased after all.
"Ne.lie, DO you kGow why | kissed you
just now?'
"De,aase-because you love me. I mp
pose"
Certainly also bsearsa | iii not know
when | should do 50 ag in"
"Phlipg"
n rests with yourself, little one said
he. taking her by the arm and drawing her
on his knee. am very grieyed and panied
that my wife should care so little for my
feelings as to insult my mother; but l think
that she did it thoughtlessiy. and will nov
do all she can to set matters right again"
What do you want me to do p asked
Nellie. dopbtfully.
81 want you to go to her, beg her pardon,
and ask her forgiveness for your conduct"
Philip spoke very slowly and distinctly,
that Nellie might have no doubt of his de-
termination that she should do SO. She
looked at him steadily for a few moments,
and then the Ines round the rosy little
mouth grew hard and obstinate.
81 won't p was all she said.
Philip had expected something like this,
and was quite unrufied. He knew that
Ncllie's temper was not perfect; but to live
with bad-tempered people had been Philips
fortune through life.
Hush That is not pretty. Don't you
think that you did wrong not to see my
mother this afternoon p"
"No. She should not AVE served me as
she did at Mrs. Benton's."
"You are right she should not have
lone SO. Do you know what that evenings
work cost her ?"
No." came from Nellie's lips, in q cold.
hard, Indifferent tone.
Glow long have we been married ?"
"You know"
"Nine weeks, is it notp Well, l have
never been near nor spoken to her until to-
day since our marriage
Nellie did not speak. Philip went on.
You may be forgiven perhaps for not
considering the grief my absence must have
cost my mother. She is an Old woman,
though you might have had some pity on
her on that account. But have you ever
thought how great a grief this has been to
me ?"
ut is a pity you married me if you love
your mother more than me y burst from
Nellie. passionately.
Philip took no notice of the interruption,
but went on calmly:
Now that you have put yourself in the
wrong. I can no longer keep away from
her."
Il don't mind in the least you going to
see your mother every day if you like
g. certainly shall go and see her. Still,
it grieves me to find that my mother loves
me well enough to make o sacrifice of her
pride for my sake, and that my wife does
not"
Nellie's lips quivered. but she gave no
sign of giving in. Philip therefore vent on
81 am rather an odd man. Nellie, and
when we were married l intended, firmly
and decidedly intended. to keep the VOWS /
made that day"
Eyes" said Nellie. with wide-open as
tonished eyes. wondering what was coming
next.
Zone of those VOWS was to honor my
wife," Philip went on. in q clear, cold voice,
6 and did not think that ! could keep that
vow if I visited those by whom she was not
honored."
Nellie's hand stole mp to his face an soft
1y stroked his bcar1-an old trick Of hers,
and one full of caressing affection. Philip
took the little land md held it firmly in his
own.
Whether in honoring my wife I quite
remember my duty to my mother" he pur-
sued, 81 am not sure; still, l think that my
wife has no right TO complain"
He paused and looked at Nellie her face
was white and hard. With a quick motion
of his arm he drew her head down on to
his shoulder and held her tightly to him, as
he said, entreatinqly:
MY love-my darling-why will you
harden your heart against me 1 beseech
you, let there be peace between you and my
mother"
She struggled a little to free herself. and
then was perfectly quiet and still. answer
ing not a word.
Nellie. my own sweet wife. don't force
me to be harsh with you," and Philips
voice was very soft Ind sweet as he spoke.
Still not a word came from Nellie.
Philips grasp relaxed. Nellie was quite
free. She rose to her feet. Philip also
rose. and, placing his two hands firmly on
her shoulders, said, in u different tone from
any in which he had yet spoken:
Nellie, / also intend that you shall keep