The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-03-29
MY HUsBAxDss. SECOND WIFE.

My husband came tenderly to my
side.
care you going out this evening,
loyef'
1 looked down complacently at my
dress of pink Grape, dew-dropped over
with crystal, and the trails of pink
azaleas that caught up its folds here and
there. A diamond bracelet encircled
<one round, white arm and little cross
blazed itfully at my throat. + had
never looked better, and felt q sort of
girlish pride as my eye met the fair
reflection in my polished mirror.
Come, Gerald, make hastel Why,
you haven't begun to dress yet?''
Where were my wifely instincts, that
I did not see the haggard look on his
features-the fevered light in his eyes
"I cannot go tonight, Madeline; 1 am
not well enough"
"You are never well enough to
oblige me, Gerald. I am tired of being
put off with excuses"
He made no answer, but dropped his
head in his hands upon the table before
him.
"Oh, come, Gerald" I urged petu-
lantly, " it is so awkward for me to go
alone always"
He shook his head listlessly.
{" thought perhaps that you would
be willing to remain at home with
me, Madeline"
"Men are SO selfshP' l said plain
lively; "and l am well dressed
Claudia took half an hour for my hair.
Idare say you'll be great deal quieter
here without me-that is, if you are
determined not to CO."
No answer again.
Well, if you choose to be sullen, ]
can't help it," 1 said lightly, as 1 turned
and went ont of the room, adjusting my
bouquet-holder, the tube-rose and hello
tropes seeming to distil incense al
every motion.
Was I heartless and cruel? Had ]
ceased to love my husband? From the
bottom of my heart / believed that
loved him as truly and tenderly as evel
wife did but had been SO spoiled and
petted all my life, that the better in
stincts were, so to speak, entombet
alive.
l went to the party and had my fl
of adulation and homage, as usual. Tht
hours seemed to glide away, shod will
roses and winged with music anC
perfume; and it was not until, wesriet
with dancing, sought a momentar.
refuge in the half-lighted tea-room, tina
I heard words wakening me, as it were
from dream.
"Gerald Glenl'
could not be well mistaken in tn
name-it was scarcely commonplace
enough for that. They were talking
two or three business-like looking gen
tlemen-in the hall without, and
could catch, now and then,>a fugitiv
word or phrase.
" Fine, enterprising, young fellowp-
"Great Totally ruined, S
Bees & McMorken sayp'-" Rockies
extravaganza of his wife,"
And these vague fragments 1 heard
and some one said, "And what is
going to do now2"
What can he do? Poor fellowl
am truly sorry; but he should hay
calculated his income and his expense
more accurately"
"Or his wife should. Oh, thes
womenl they are at the bottom of all
mans troubles"
And they laughed. Oh, how coul
they. had yet to learn how easy it
in this world, to hear other people
troubles.
/ rose hurriedly up, with my hea
beating tumultuously beneath my pin
azaleas, and went back to the lighte
saloon Albany Moore was waiting
claim my hand for the next dance.
care you i'll, Mrs. Glen? How pa
you look"
I'll am not very well. / wish yC
would have my carriage called for m
Mr.. Moore"
For now felt that home was Il
proper place for mel
Hurried by some unaceountable il