Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-04-11

the Injuries with which he surrounded
her like her perfect nonchalance as
to his appreciation, her defiance of
his well known love of tasteful dress.
He looked at her gloomily in silence.
She raised her eyes at LASTLY the
dim light he could see how blue and
beautiful they were-and little won
der mingled with the calm inquiry !:
"You are going out % she asked.
EYES," he replied briefly. He was
too geltlemanly to quarrel with his
wife, however great might be his
cause of dissatisfaction, and Amy had
hardly ever heard him answer so
CURLY snd boldly before. She could
not knom that this brevity was in
splred by the contrast she offered TO
a lovels girl in the party he was going
to meet, who, gay, spoiled and charm
ing, chose to elect him, "a safe old
married man." her prime minister and
favorite in the circle of which she
was queen-and looked at him with
two bright eyes, smiled on him with
two tempting lips, when the fading
vision Of home crossed his memory.
Both We're secure in principle and
honor; neither had a thought of
wrong in their innocent pleasure in
each others society; but the differ
ence was so great, the relief 80 de
delightful, that Gwinne examined
his wife with eyes of new and
keen criticism-almost dislike-that
might well have startled her, had she
but been interested enough TO notice
it,as it did startle himself when he be-
came conscious of the feeling ex-
pressed in his tone-"I am going to
the Griffiths wedding reception" he
added more gently.
ooh, | forgot !" she cried, con.
science-strcken for a moment, and
glad that her husband was disposed
to take her detection SO easily When
the cards were received, there had
seemed real necessity for her atten.
dance -an old school mate OF her
own having married a friend of her
husband-and some thoughts Of a
new dress and its accompaniment,
had disturbed her mind. speedily to
disappear before the old habit of in
dolent forgetfulness. His tone had at
first aroused, but his indifference in
stantly re assured her; when he
withdrew, she relapsed into her EN-
broidery, little knowing that her hus-
bands love was slipping away from
her while she trified with silk and
thread.
The noise of carriage stopping
near the house was her next alarm,
and before-ever irresolute had
made up her mind to run away, the
door by which she would have re-
treated was thrown open for the en-
trance Of lady tall woman, with
cheeks like roses, and eyes bright with
health and. good,humor, who swept
her long train of silvery white poplin
over the carpet, like queen, and
paused in front of her cousin.
"What, Amy y she cried, in a
sweet, ringing, voice, ''not dressed,
and not going, even there %
ooh, Eleanor" said Amy, placidly,
"vou mean to the Griffiths !? Charles
has just gone.''
Sand can Charles" returned Ell.
eanor, "who is a perfect stranger to
her, fill your place with Mary
West ? coming for the first time to a
new city, bride? | am older, but l
remember how you two little things
clung together at school; remember
how, when your only little sister died
~
81 know" interposed Amy, hastily,
the tears quickly filing her blue eyes,
for when reused she was both i'm
pulsive and sensitive-"I did wrong to
forget about it will 60 tomorrow
and call Informally"
"But she should have had your
support and countenance, your warm
congratulations and sympathy to-
night. Have you never thought how
it would appear, to see You so neg.
lectful, who should be first to go %
81 was wrong; but it seemed such
a task to prepare ; and l have been so
busy"
"Busy !" repeated Eleanor, more
meaningly than she intended, as her
bright eyes wandered about the room
and its mistress. Suddenly she
seemed to take a resolution; she
looked down upon the faccid figure
rocking in the chair. "What were
you doirg," che demanded, inquisi
torially.
"This," returned Amy with equal
brevity, holding out her work.
1T is very pretty" said Eleanor
carelessly. | saw July and Freddy
in the street yesterday--they were
dressed az beautifully as Mrs. D,
VOLTS children, whose clothes al
came from Paris
Amy's sallow cheeks blushed with
pleasure and gratified ambition.
Slut is it worth the price," contin
ued Mrs. Grayson, soberly, "of YOU
children's health, the welfare of you
house, your husbands pride and love?'
All the woman wasroused in Amy
she started up, and the mother spok'
first.
81 send the children out in tn,
square every fine day." she cried.
Eyes, so hounced and frilled, 81
exquisitely gotten up, that they dar'
not move or play, and sit like expen
sive little cripples," said downright
Eleanor-'Amy, Amy. look at thei
little pale faces. and take pity on them
If dressed my children in ruffie
and lace, they would not be alive !"
"But you have four, "pleaded Amy
eff l had SIX" was the uncompro
missing reply, "or only one ; my dut.
| would be the same; to secure healtl
and comfort for them. first of all. The.
are not pretty like yours, Amy; colo
is their only charm they wear thiol
boots, and dresses, and white apron
all day. l make these as prettily a
/ can, but / cannot do them justic
in other ways, and nave time TO
things like this
"They always look beautifully,
averred Amy; but you know | hav
a weakness tor ornament"