The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-02
BROTHER PHIL.

- IL Is 80 lonesome OF an evening,
Harry! Please stay at home tonight or
take me with you for change, dear"
| Mr.. Forrest smiled in very superior
sort OF way-a sort of patronizing, in
dulgent way, as though it was the height
of absurd womanish folly for Edith to
have made the remark.
"That is nonsense, Edith. You know
perfectly well how ridiculously impossi-
BILE it is for me to be either always at
home, or take you out somewhere. You
must remember that because man is
married he does not expect never to be
anywhere but where his wife is, if she is
the sweetest, prettiest little girl in the
world |"
He bent forward to kiss her. and Edith
smiled-a suspiciously tear-favored
smile it was, however
But do get so tired of staying so
much by myself, Harry. I am almest a
stranger in London, and am sure there
are only two ladies in the house whom L
know, and don't like to be always run
ming to their rooms. Harry-really
did not think you would get tired of my
company $3.50 soon. 1t hasn't been
three months since we were-married-
and"
And little Mrs. Forests sobs and tears
overcame her entirely, and Harry's face
grew vexed and stern.
"You are romancing, Edith. You
know perfectly well / have never
thought of such ridiculous thing, and
/ do not want to see such childishness
on your part.
And, to further enforce his assump-
ton of marital dignity, Mr.. Forrest
walked out and shut the door very en-
phatically.
Then, of course, Edith's tears came
in good earnest.
"It's too bad, too bad Harry is get
ting tired of my society, know he is,
ried and left home, where everything
was so gay and pleasant, and there were
never long, lonely evenings. Oh
dear "
1t wasn't very good thing for Edith
to be thinking-this regret for life,
which, undeniably pleasant though it
was, had never been so beautified and
glorifed until Harry's love came to her.
But it was pitiably true that her hus-
bands neglect of her of late had more
than once made such thoughts, more
than once had brought hot tears of
wounded pain and regret to the blue
eyes that other young men than Harry
Forrest had thought worth their while
to have smile in theirs and Edith was
certainly very lonely.
The great, fashionable boarding house
to which Harry had brought her, and
installed her in one Of its most elegant
rooms, was not such home as she had
been accustomed to, where everything
was gay cheer and girlish froGc.
The boarders were, of course, utter
strangers, and haughtily exclusive.
Edith was reserved and shrinking,
and, with the exception of Mrs. Thistle,
a gentle little widow, who was almost as
shy as Edith herself, and Mrs. Worthing-
ton, who was jolly and gay as she could
be, little Mrs. Forrest had not an ac-
quaintance in all the city.
"It's too bad" she sobbed, bitterly,
as she lay on the little crimson silk
lounge, with her face all tear flushed,
and her rosebud mouth quivering. 81
can almost see them at home now-Sue,
and Jennie, end Sill, and the parlor
lighted up, and perhaps Howard singing
one of his lovely tenor solos to Sues ac-
compartment; and Frank Morrison will
come in, and they'll have a delicious
waltz, and then Phil will speak of me
dear, darling old Phil He always
thought more of me than any one else
ever did-even Harry Forrest L wish
I hadn't ever married him, and
then"
There was little expression of dis
content and indignation coming on her
lips - memories that would not bear
comparison with her present gilded
loneliness called them up, and it wasn't
a good sight to see on pretty married
woman's face.
For an hour after Harry had gone
out Edith lay on the couch, all sorts of
thoughts running riot in her brain, until
they were dissipated sharply by rap on
her door, and card that sent all express
sion out of her face and eyes except sur
prise, that quickly changed into an ex-
element of delight.
"Tell the gentleman will be down in
a moment" she said to the servant.
Then she flew to the dressing. mirror,
and saw that she was in a presentable
condition, and then went down stairs,
with smile and three unspoken words
on her lips:
"Dear old Phil T.
| y
Three weeks later Mr.. Forrest came
in somewhat unexpectedly-iust in time
to see Edith standing by the window
kissing her hands to a gentleman driv-
ing by in carriage-a handsome, dash
ing looking fellow, with bold black eyes
and dropping mustache-just in time to
see the sparkle in his wife's eyes and the
heightened color in her cheeks.
"Well, who is he p
He asked the question 80 suddenly
that Edith gave a little cry OF sur
prise.
"Oh, Harry, didn't know you were
here How you startled me T.
Doubtless. But that doesn't explain
why you were kissing your hand to
whom ?"
The blush on her cheeks deepened I'M
til her face was scarlet.
"He neutrality-suspicious. OF
mine," she stammered.