The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-12
Mrs. CbesterfeId'S Folly.

been married only SIX snort montns, unu
already her husband was waning in his de-
yotion. Twice last month he had spent
his evenings at his club. Tonight he was
at supper, given him by his bachelor
friends, and when sho had somewhat re-
monstrated with him, be had said:
"You know / would rather be with you,
dear, but could hardly refuse Hal, when
he got tho thing up for me. Run over to
your mothers, like q brave little woman.
One of the boys will bring you home. I
won't stay late, promise you.'
Then, with good-by kiss hewas gone.
Six months ago, could such plea have
drawn him from her side All, how hap
py had she been how proud on her bridal
day of her splendid lover how timidly she
had looked into bis handsome face, and for
the first time called him husband, wonder
ing if every wife was as gloriously content
as she!
Then follow those weeks Of radiant hap
piness when they two forgot the world and
all else, save that each existed for the other,
! till the time approached for the home-com-
ing, and she found awaiting her tho pret-
test house Will could find, furnished
throughout in exquisite taste by her ipdul-
oent father. p .trf~s@EsS&
When she had kissed and thanked him,
did she dream beneath its roof ever to shed
one tear, think one unhappy thought ?
Yet even now the blue eyes are wet, the
lashes are heavy with moisture, and her lip
trembles, when knock at her door dis
turbs the unpleasant tenor of her thoughts.
A servant, entering in obedience to her
summons, bears salver, and on It card,
which he presents with q respectful bow.
Upon tho pasteboard is written, in abold,
characteristic hand, the name "Hale Ray
lnond." 81.
Her first impulse is to be excused, on
plea of illness; thena bright thought rushes
into her brain.
'Ten the gentleman, James, will be
, with him presently" '.r.
She has heard somewhere that husbands
J ore apt to grow weary of their homes, and
seek elsewhere the excitement not obtaina'
BILE in that pure atmosphere, but that il
the wives absent themselves and indulge in
, little quiet recreation, it soon arouses
their liege lords to sense of their
duty. Well she knows Will does not
admire Hale Raymond-in fact, treats him
with polite coolness, which he is too thor
ough man of the word not to see, but
| which he chooses to ignore. However,
, he certainly cannot object to an evening
call. and, if he is not here to share his al
tentions, she is not responsible. ~.'.}
So, hastily rising and standing before the
; large Psyche mirror In her dressing-foom,
she took from bouquet beside her tea
rose and put it in her hair. '''';t,SS'~ =.
Certainly the glass reflected a vision
which any man might be proud to call his
own. Of medium height, with violet eyei
shaded by long dark lashes, hair of thai
rare auburn. tint which turned to golt
in the suns bright Light, mouth and teetl
f in exquisite perfection, figure beautifully
: moulded, draped in black velvet, with {
light tissue over dress-what wonder that
: as she entered the parlor and Hale Bay
mond rose to greet her, the regrets will
with which he met her excuses for her hus
4 bands absence were mere Gp-service !?
But he notes, as she speaks, the feyerisl
), sparkle in her eye, the quick flush upon he
) cheek, and resolves accordingly upon tn
e plans of the SIEGE.
. ''Though I am sorry not to see MI
!, Chesterfield, cannot but anticipate wit
= pleasure an hours quiet chat alone wit
= you. But how comes it that am in sue
) rare luck ? What imperative busines
has called your husband from your side
Q II do not know if We may call Dime
r imperative business, but such is the caus
If of Mr.. Chesterfeld's absence. It wa
e given him by one of his Oldest friends, AM
: he, of course, could not refuse"
y II suppose not, as husband. AS a love,
y one manages to escare such bores; bu
then we are not sure Of the prize, and wit
. tho race all untried before us, we do nc
- dare rest for a moment upon our oars.
n presume when the goal is reached the re
" action sets in; but unfortunately, cannc
Is speak from experience"
" " II imagine you are entirely too blam
(, for SO lamentable condition of affairs"
i "Not perhaps so entirely as you believ
!, me to be. When one watches in the mids
of a garden of exotios one Queen Rost
e. fairer more beautiful than any of its si
of ters--sees it ripen day by day, into MOI
P perfect sweetness, such loveliness that one
y own unworthiness teaches him hesitation
II approaching it,, until he wakens from h
a dream of hope to find he has waited tc
n long-other fingers, rasher, bolder, hay
"a plucked the flower from the stem-then
of there left only faint fragrance perfumir
ar kl,o 6IJ;,r, b;n, With for4,,ra nf ~