The Hickman courier., 1878-08-09
THE TEST OF LOVE

Nellie Valance walked out of the
little church in P with proud step
! and light heart; she had just become
Mrs. Lloyd Whitlow. The husband was
fne-looking, moral, intelligent, possessing
friends wherever he chose to make them,
and was considered the most popular
man in town Nellie was pretty little
creature, with an innocent face, and a
smooth, round, white brow, and light
waves offair hair, which, with her cling
ing, ehildlike ways, made of her an indie
scribably charming bride.
They made their bridal tour, and set
tied down in Louisville, very happy
couple. Yet, ere two months had passed
away, the little wife sat over her un-
tasted breakfast with fearful eyes and
pouting lips, giving vent at last to a
torrent Of tears.
''Whst in the world is the matter?''
inquired cousin Kate from across the
table.
"I-Ibelieve Lloyd is getting tired of
me, answered Nellie, sobbing.
"Nemense, Nell; you always were
such a sensitive plantI 1 can't see that
you have any cause to make such an
assertion"
"ButI have this is the second morn
ing he has gone of without kissing me,
and-and enough more to make me
know he does not love me as he did"
You ought to remember that your
husband is one of those who attach little
importance to outward show of affection.
am sure he does not love you less be-
cause he forgets those little lever-like
attentions, which, after all, are of little
consequence when one is sure of a
husbands affections"
Bat am not at all sure; that is just
it. And this very day l am going to be-
gin to test his love tor me; If / can sue
ceed m paaking HIM jealous IN believe
he loves me"
Rather a difficult game to play,
Cousin Nell; how are you going to do
it ?'
ooh, it's easy enough. You remem-
Der Albert Weston He is practicing
law here in Louisville. believe that he
possesses enough of the old affection for
me, and just about little principle
enough to make him useful in this mat
ter. His manner when have met him
has annoyed me beyond measure. I'll
make use of it now"
"Well, Mrs. Nellie Whitlew, all have
to say is, that you will very likely regret
the day you planned this foolish little
game"
To this Nellie only answered.
'I'll write this minute and accept his
invitation to drive this evening"
Lloyd Whitlow was home that night
before Nellie returned. When 4J last
she did come she was in high spirits
giving as reason, when her husband
rallied her upon the fact, that she had
had "such a glorious drive with her old
lover"
Lookout, little wife, he said, with
aIaugh, "you threw that old lover ovel
for me; don't go to throwing me over
for him."
ooh, stranger things have happened ?
she answered.
This conversation ended in making
the husband unusually quiet and the
wife unusually gay.
Darling" Lloyd said, laying dowr
his book one evening, about a month
afterwArd, ''are you acting discreetly il
receiving Mr.. Weston here as often a
you do?p
81 hope so, Lloyd"
"Well," he said, leaning over and look
ing in his wife's eyes, " ore ought not to
care for old lovers, 1 suppose, when one
is sure that he is the only lover now"
.t,fOhp' thought Nellie, she is waking
up at last" But she answered with s
light laugh, "don't you be too sure 0
that"
He resumed his book Immediately
and looked very grave, while the lighf
danced in Nellie's eyes as she said tc
herself, "I believe my plan will sue
ceed p'
Nellie" said her Cousin Kate, as sh
entered the parlor hurriedly, a few week
later. and interrupted her in the mids
of an old love song, while Mr.. Westol
was bending over her at the piano, " ex
euse nv troubling you, but | must Sc
you a moment" !"
Weston took out his watch, said b
ougbt to have been gone half an hou
AGO, babe them good evening, and lef
a Well, Katie, what is it? What al
YOU looking so frightened about p
"Nellie Whitlow, yeu have gone fs
enough in your testp As came in tn
front door, Lloyd passed me going ou
never saw such look on mans face
He came from the back parlor. and mus
have heard all you said. Oh, Nell, wha
did YOU say that caused him to leav
hooking like that? Did you know he wa
there7"
"Of course 1 did but Weston di
not and Lloyd did not know that l kne'
it. So concluded to finish up my tas
this evening. did not commit mysel
either; 1 only let Weston talk his mol
sense without rebuking him. So, if 20
think Lloyd is really jealous, III stoI
for am very tired of it, and to-nigh
PlI tell him all about it and laugh