The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-09-19

But why ?"
In the first place, as a compliment
to your husband"
Clara shrugged her shoulders.
1--WE are old married people now,
said she. "Only think, it is surely three
years since our wedding day-and all
this sentimental billing and cooling is
worn out"
"Real sentiment between husband
and wife should never wear cut, i, said
Mrs, Marley, mildly. "Depend upon
IN, my love, your husband will appfeoi.
ate any delicate little attention now quite
as much as in the days of your engaged
lie. But this is not all. Let me tell
you little experience of my own. /
had brother once-a very dear brother.
He died of delirium tremens."
"Oh, Mrs, Marley |" Clara Arden
placed a sympathetic hand in that of her
friend, for she saw that the pretty old
lady had grown pale, and trembled
YVES, my dear, " went on Mrs. Marley.
He had gay, pretty, young wife, who
disliked the cares of housekeeping-and
1t was an understood thing between
them that any gentleman guests whom
it fell Clements lot to entertain should
he taken to some hotel or restaurant
Well, my dear, you know how it was
The wine flowed freely-there was no
feminine presence to restrain the false
idea of good-fellowship. Clement &C.
quired the fatal habit of indiscriminate
drinking, and the upshot of it all was,
that he filled drunkard's grave. Per-
haps L was uncharitable, but I have
always thought that had his wife made
her home agreeable to her husband and
his guests, things might have ended
differently"
But, Mrs. Marley" cried Clara,
much shocked, /" this is quite different
thing w
81 do not say that it is not, Clara. 1
only want to warn you against the rock
on which my poor sister-in-law's life
was wrecked. OF what use is all our
sad and hardly-won experience, if not to
caution others ittle?'
Clara was silent for minute or two,
and when she spoke again, it was on
quite a different topic. Mrs. Marley
stayed and dined with her off the cold
joint and simple salad, and went home
at about eight o'clock.
And then came the long, lonely eve
ming, during which Clara sat by the
window, waiting and listening for every
sound, nervously impatient for her hus-
bands return.
"Of course, he is not the sort of man
to drink too much, she told herself,
over and over again "but-but I am
almost sorry 1 was SO obstinate about
not asking Mr.. Fenwick to dinner. It
would not have been so very much
trouble, after all, and I think Charley
was vexed about it..
Nine o'clock struck-then ten-then
eleven--and Clara sprung up and began
pacing the room in her nervousness.
81 wish he would come ?" she cried,
wringing her hands. 81 wish he would
come p
Just then there was some disturbance
in the street and glad at all hazards to
escape from her own harassing thoughts,
Clara threw open the window and thrust
out her head.
There was little crowd at the corner
of the street, and she could distinctly
hear the ieering voices of some of the
little street Arabs crying out: cts
only a drunken man! Halo, mister,
you'll find your hat in the gutter Can't
you tell where you live? Go and ask an
officer"
Clara's head turned cold as ice. Gould
it be possible? ? Was this poor, stagger-
ing creature, whose uncertain step af-
forded amusement to mob of boys, her
noble husband? Had he so far forgotten
himself and her? And if so, at whose
door Jay the fault?
Nearer and nearer came the little
crowd. Clara drew in her head, and
closed the window. She could not bear
to have the dreadful probability con-
firmed. She stopped her ears; she
buried her face in the pillows of the sofa.
"Why, CLARA, little wife, what's the
matter %
1t was Charley's voice-not the maud
lin accents of standardization, but the
full, deep tones of the man she felt she
could yet honor, as well as love and
obey. She looked up with little
hysterical laugh.
"Oh, Charley, was frightened A
drunken man in the street,yo know p
Yes, 1 passed him. Apoliceman has
just walked him off to the station-house.
So you were frightened, eh ?"
Clara's face was radiant as she turned
up the low jet of gas.
, "I am so glad you have come, Char
ley" said she. 81 have had a great
many compunctions of conscience this
afternoon, because l didn't make Mr..
Fenwick welcome to the best had in the
house, instead of sending you off to a
restaurant"
"We went to Lemonde's," said Char
ley. "The dinner was stylish enough,
but nothing better than you could have
given us at home"
"And, Charley" added Clara, softly,
I" the next time you invite friend to
dine with you, you may be certain that