The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-01-01
You did right o reconsider the mat

! While he wa dancing with one OF
the most beauti.al women OF the me.
tropolis, who was moro than williDs
to hear him. Herbert, looking up
from the face leaning against his
shoulder, while the dreamy waltz music
thrilled hearts sensitive To sadness as
TO JOY, encountered the sparkling face
Of his wife, and saw her arrayed in the
freshest and most graceful costume in
the room. She was moving along
quiently with an escort in uniform.
pray don't stumble" said his ris-d-
Uis, petulantly for from that moment
the grand repose OF his manner was
gone, and the lady on his arm might
have been made Of wax, or any other
ductile material for all he cared now.
"Alice, can believe my eyes?" he
said at last in the pause of the dance.
81 should think you might, was the
nonchalant reply.
"Pray how did you come"
"Pray how did you conner" l rode
Did you walk?
"Well, but"
Excuse me. I'm engaged.fou deep
already" and Herbert was forced TO
move aside as a pompous acquaintance
claimed her hand.
"Td like to knock that fellow down"
he muttered.
Another pause, and another tete-a-
tete. No satisfaction given. Herbert
had hardly the grace to redeem his
dancing engagements.
"About the baby, Alice" he asked
anxiously.
She put her rosy lips to his ear, aud
in a subdued voice whispered:
Hang the baby"
When at last they were together in
the carriage driving home. there might
have been an open rupture but for the
determined calmness Of Alice, who
took everything as a matter OF course.
One glance into the beautiful nur-
sery unsealed his eyes. BY the fire sat
Mable in all the abandon of neglige
toilet, her luxuriant tresses falling in
glossy freedom over her shoulders,
while the little fellow on her lap crow
ed and laughed as we'll as he could for
auntie's smothering kisses.
"Ahal / know who contrived this
plot, but / am glad TO see you Mabel,
nevertheless" said he.
Wasn't she the belle Of the ball7"
answered Mabel saucily.
There's no doubt OF that. At any
rate, didn't get a chance TO dance
with her"
81 see that she followed my direc-
tions implicitly. Iou must learn sir,
that a house divided against itself can
not stand-that is IL one half is flirting
at party and the other half is at
home crying her eyes ont"
"Oh Alice, were YOU really?'
al should think she was. / can as
sure you. / myself saw half OF the house
dissolved in tears and so wretched
that
mabel, hush!" said Alice implor-
ingly.
Traitor. do you turn on me?" ex-
claimed Mabel with mock displeasure.
my child" she went on, tossing
the growing cherub, tell your selfsh
papa that he has some obligations, and
that il you had known you were TO be
the bone OF contention in this family,
you would have stayed in the garden Of
angels where you were wanted.
Herbert was strangely affected by
this audacious outburst, but il had tho
effect OF leading him To see his duty IN
a new light. IL taught him 10 reflect;
opened his eyes to his selfishness; and
made him, from that evening a better
and more considerate husband
Six months from that time, Alice was
dressed for peasy. Rnt this time the
party was gwen at her own house, aud
IN honor OF Mabel's marriage. Even
the bride did not look lovelier; for
nothing now ever occurred TO mar
Alice's happiness, and happiness. after
all, is the best preservative OF beauty.
"Ah, how charming you look. whis-
pered Mabel, as they passed each other
in the dance. "Prettier than when /
cured your husband by sending you 10
a NEW YEAR's PARTY.