Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-08-04
THE WAY TO KEEP HIM

THE WAY TO KEEP HIM.
ssOut again tonight" said Mrs. Hayes,
fretfully, as her husband rose from the tea
table, and donned his great coat.
eyes, I have an engagement with Moore;
I shall be in early, have a light in the Ii
brary; goodnight" and with careless
nod William Hayes left the room.
''Always the way" murmured Lizzie
Hayes, sinking back upon sofa; ''out
every night I don't believe he cares one
bit about me now, and yet we've only been
married two years. No man has a more
orderly house; 1 am not a bit extravagant,
and yet I don't believe he loves me any
more. Oh dear, why is it wasn't rich ;
he didn't marry me for money, and he must
have loved me then why does he treat me
with SO much neglect ?" And with her
mind filled with such fretful queries, Liz
ze Hayes fell asleep on the sofa.
Let me paint her figure as she lay there.
She was blonde, with a small, graceful
figure and very pretty face. The hair,
which showed by its rich waves its natural
tendency to curl, was brushed smoothly
back, and gathered into rich knot at the
back-s:it was such bother to curl it -
she said-her cheeks were pale, and the
whole face wore disconnected expression.
Her dress was a neat chintz wrapper, but
she wore neither collar nor sleeves-swhat
is the use of dressing up for William!"
Lizzie slept soundly for two hours, and
then awoke suddenly. She sat up, glanced
at the clock, and sighed drearily at the
prospect Of the long interval still to be
spent alone before bedtime.
The library was just over the room in
which she sat, and down the furnace fue,
through the registers, a voice came to the
young wife's ears; it was her husband IS:
"Well. Moore, what's man to do? I
was disappointed, and I must have pleas
ure somewhere. Who would have fancied
that Lizzie Jarvis, so pretty, sprightly and
loving, could have changed to the fretful
dowdy she is now? Who wants to stay at
home to hear his wife whining all the even
ing about her troublesome servants, and
her headache and all sorts of bother She's
got the knack of that drawing whine so
pat, that 'pon my life, I don't believe she
can speak pleasant"
Lizzie sat as if stunned. Was this true
She looked into the glass. If not dowdy,
her costume was certainly not suitable for
an evening, even if it were an evening at
home with only William to admire. She
arose and softly went to her own room,
with bitter, sorrowfal thoughts, and a firm
resolution to win back her husbands
heart, and then his love regained to keep
it.
The next morning, William came into
the breakfast-room in his usual careless
manner, but a bright smile came to his lips
as he saw Lizzie. A pretty chintz, with
pretty collar and sleeves of snowy muslin,
and a wreath of soft, full curls, had really
metamorphosed her, while the blush her
husbands admiring glance called up to her
cheek, did not detract from her beauty.
At first William thought there must be a
guest, but glancing around he found they
were alone.
''Come, William, 20 I'LL coffee will be stone
cold," said Lizzie, in a CHEEKY. pleasant
voice.
'It must be cool till you sweeten my
breakfast with KISS" said her husband,
crossing the room to her side !; and Lizzie's
heart bounded as she recognized the old
lovers tone and manners.
Not one fretful speech, not one COM
plant, fell upon Williams ear through the
meal. The newspaper, his usual solace
during that hour, lay untouched, as Lizzie
chartered gaily on every pleasant subject
she could think of, warming by his graft
fled interest and cordial manners.
'You will be home to dinner ?" she said,
as he went out.
"Can't to-day, Lizzie. I have business
out of town, but LII be home early totea.
Have something substantial, for 1 don't
expect to dine. Goodbye" and the smil-
ing look, warm kiss and lively whistle were
a marked contrast to his careless lounging
gait of the evening previous.
81 am in the right path,'' said Lizzie, in
a low whisper. ooh! what a fool have
been for the last two years! A sfretful
dowdy!' William, you shall never say SO
again."
Lizzie loved her husband with real wife
ly devotion, and her lips would culver as
she thought of his confidence to his friend
Moore but like brave little woman, she
stiffled back the bitter feeling, and tripped
off to perfect her plans. The grand piano,
silent for months, was opened, and the
linen cover taken from the furniture.
Lizzie thinking-'He shan't find any par
lors more attractive than his own. am
determined"
Tea time came, and William came with
it. A little figure in tasty, bright silk
dress, smooth curls, and oh such lovely
blush and smile. stood ready to welcome
William as he came in, and tea time pass
ed as the morning meal had done.
After tea, there was no movement, as
usual, towards the hat-rack. William
stood up beside the table lingering, chat
ting, till Lizzie arose. She led him to the