West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-03-16

4
Mrs. st. Albans. How funny that Mr.
Noble had never mentioned her-he was
Saeh an sdmirer; really, il il were her
husband" etc, etc, etc.
Mrs. Noble scarcely heard her and
answered her adieus in a very distracted
manner
her heart was on fire.
George the ardent admirer of an
other woman-George, her George. de-
voting himself 10 a rival, while she
spent her life taking care of his house
and rearing his children-never going TO
party, theater, opera, anywhere-but
Tor years making a domestic drudge of
herself.
She didn't reflect how much she was
to blame that it was so, and how George
nad strlven, years ago, to prevent her
from absorbing herself in household af
fairs that he would gladly have hired
servants to attend to.
No; her first and only thought was to
see this syren who was stealing her hus-
band from her, and 10 win him back 10
his lawful allegiance.
Harry, observing his mothers ah-
straction, got up a lively quarrel with
Lilly and tumbled her hair, while
Freddy got at the water in the marble
basin, dabbled his hands in il, and
wetted his best new embroidered dress.
Mamma neither saw nor needed.
She was going over in her mind the
list OF her party dresses, which were all
oid-fashioned, and deciding that She
must have some new ones
Freddy tumbled off chair. and was
lett Tor Ellen, who chanced to come in
Just then, to pick mp and console.
The children began TO think the world
was coming to an end; and when Ellen
and cook retired TO rest that night. the
former confded to the dignitary of the
kitchen that she was sure something
awful had happened TO missus." because
when she told her that Miss Lilly had
gone TO bed with headache. and Master
Freddy was hoarse from dabbling in the
water, she had Just said
Oh nonsense! there's nothing the
matter with them.'
On the next day, however, Mrs. Noble
was so far returned to herself as to show
the usual care of and for her offspring.
At the same time, she contrived To
keep pretty sharp lookout on her hus-
band.
She questioned him with considerable
skill about Mrs. st. Albans, and man
aged to make him talk of her.
She thought he seemed confused, and
he certainly showed more enthusiasm i'm
regard to the lady's appearance than was
at all necessary.
Jt WAS enough.
Flora was furiously Jealous.
In the course of the week, two cards
of invitation came TO the Mobiles.
Are you going out tomorrow night,
Georgep Flora asked, with more care,
lessness than she felt.
Oh, yes, think I'll drop into Sprig-
gins for an hour or two," was the un-
suspecting answer.
Mrs. Noble only observed that he did
not ask her to go with him.
With bitter smile she thought
"Oh, of course she is TO be there"
She said nothing, but she resolved TO
attend the Spriggin's party.
Mrs. Spriggin was an old friend, and
it would not look so strange to 90 there
alone, for she had no intention of going
with George.
She was not long behind him, how
ever She just waited to see the chill
dren tucked into bed and fast asleep.
and for the first time in five years she
attired herself in evening dress, and
smiled to see that the glass did not re-
feet the figure of dowdy.
George Noble was, indeed, somewhat
interested in Mrs st. Albans, but the
interest was Of very superficial char
acter, although ill-natured people had
made remarks about it.
She was lively and bright and seemed
to like him.
She listened with wrapt attention
when he spoke.
She bestowed on him long and tender
glances from her great dark eyes.
She spoke TO him in low, sweet conf
dental Zones.
George had for 80 long felt himself n
nonentity in his own house, that his
masculine vanity was touched To 6nd
that other women found him interesting
even though his wife seemed no longer
10 think so.
He was grateful to Mrs. st. Albans
for making him feel himself of some
consequence, and he showed his graft
tude by admiration.
Flora watched this little play, and her
heart ached sorely-she had, she feared.
lost her husband by allowing him TO 20
constantly into society alone. At last
she blamed herself, and her self-re-
proaches were truly most bitter.
George had just resigned Mrs. St.
Albans to a partner who claimed her.
and stood watching her slender, sylph-
like form whirling through the dance.
Flora was watching her, too-not
without a sort Of reluctant admiration
although she said to herself:
" She isn't pretty a bit She has only
eyes and a graceful figure, without An
ounce of flesh on IT,"
Tears sprang to her eyes, but she held
them back bravely.
Who is that very handsome wo-
manP was presently asked in Georges
hearing; that one who never takes her
eyes of Mrs. st. Albans7 She can't be
jealous. She's a hundred times hand
somer."
At last lady replied
oh, that is Mrs Noble-George
Mobiles wife"
Mobiles wife7 Is IL possible? Why.
she's a perfect beauty, What can he
see in that little black-eyed widow,
when he has such wife Of his ~
Georges ears tingled
His face flushed
He moved away, and looked around
for his wife.