The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-21
SELECT STORY.
THE WEE WIFE.
BY A CELEBRATED AUTHOR.
A Tale Of Female HeroisIn.

She grew cold and stern as himself,
taking her place at his table, certainly
as of old. but no longer attempting to
converse with him nor gain his approval
of what she did. And when he threw
down before her cards for some concert.
she coldly refused them. saying that for
the future she had resolved to please her
self, and not other people.
Poor Agnesl She thought by this to
testify not only her resentment at her
husbands conduct, but to keep the IN
solent Cayley at bay. Surely, under
her own roof she would be safe from
him@ She forgot that her very inno-
cence made her no match for one so
base.
One evening, Mr. MacFarlane came
in unexpectedly, and called loudly to
Annot to pack port-manteau for bim,
az he was called away on business. But
Annot had gone in attendance on Effle,
TO the house of a friend and the other
servant was suffering such agOnies With
face ache, that her mistress had kindly
bidden her to 20 to bed So Agnes came
forward herself to do her husbands bid
ding. but not with the alacrity, Of old, as
he was very quick to perceive.
81 do not wish to trouble you, !" he said,
curtly.
Once she would have hastened to de-
clare that it pleased her to do anything
for him; but, now, she began silently
folding the clothes he required, till, with
something like an oath, he bade her
leave them alone.
"Let AnnOt do them when she re-
turns, and despatch them after me to-
morrow; may not be home for some
days"
He paused moment, for it was their
first separation; but finding she did not
speak, he bade her farewell, and de-
parted.
As soon as the door closed behind him
the young wife seated herselfon the floor
besides the port manteau, and rested
there her weary, aching head.
For more than twelve months she had
been his brine, faith fully striving to
please him, and only shrinking back in
to herself when his unmerited coldness
taught her to distrust him. Twelve
months, and he could leave her without
kiss or loving word!
Did he deserve her fidelity? Was no
such treatment enough to tempt her to
listen to the lover who wooed her 20
persistently, and who only the previous
day had made his way to her side as she
walked home from church. and asked
her if devotion such as his did not mer-
it better reward than her cold, avertei
looks?
As il the thought had summoned an
evil spirit; she had scarcely banished il
from her mind, when CayleY himself
stood before her.
He had been lurking about the neigh
borhood IN the twilight, seen Mr.. Mac
Farlane, depart, and discovered that, in
his haste, he had pulled the outer door
80 hastily that it had flown open again.
Availing himself of what he exultingly
called lucky chance, he had entered.
discovered that Agnes was alone, and
now stood before her with insolent tri.
umph in his eyes.
She rose to her feet directly, and re-
treating behind large arm chair, qui-
etly asked him his business. She knew
that she was at his mercy, for there was
no one III the house but the servant who
was i'll, and if she heard cries for help
would be too timid to come to her; but
she hid her terror bravely, and kept the
intruder at bay.
"What is it 1 want?" he repeated. 81
answer, that it is you, Agnes-yon, my
love, my adored onel The moment is
auspicious; yonr churlish husband is
away, and we may be miles hence before
he can return"
"Are you mad?" she asked, scornfully;
cor have you been drinking. that you
dare to utter these words to me? What
has there ever been in my demeanor to
encourage you TO think that your full
some speeches were acceptable to the
wife of Allan MacFarlane?
"Were you not mine before he saw
you? Do you think that forget the
bewitching maiden who won my hear
at Hamburg?"
She uttered an exclamation Of aston
ishmen. at his insolence.
"Can you recall those chance encoun
ters, and not blush for them? 1t is true
sir, that saw you in that city on one oil
two occasions, but it Is also true that yor
molested me in my walks, and so fright
ened ME that have never been able t.
think Of you without loathing~
"And yet, pretty mistress. you Womb
have been mine il had come soor
enoughr
at is false" cried Agnes. indignant
ly.
"FaIsel when I have it under you
own handwriting" and he produced
letter.
"Did ! not write to you pleading m,
passion, and receive this reply? False
say you? When arrived at Hamburg
too late to prevent your marriage wit
the covetous hunk you call your hus
band, / showed him this note, and h
acknowledged that the signature wa
yours"
"I see it all nowW exclaimed tn
young wife, when she had hastily pc
rused the paper. "The signature
mine, but the writing is my father
and never until this moment have b'
held it. Doubtless Anpot gave you
missive to him, as she considered it he
duty to do; and he, dying then, an
dreading to leave his children quit
friendless, answered evasively, biddin
you win me if you could. My poe
father must have thought you an homo
able man, else had he not called me
his side to bid me sign a paper whic